Hello, dear friends. It’s been a while.
(Why is this sounding like the beginning of a country song?)
I’ve been absent from the keyboard for a minute. Primarily, it was because my family and I were in a fight with COVID. But I’ve also taken some time to just step back and reflect. My, how God uses struggles to consider or reconsider life and the lessons we have to learn.
First, let me say, I have no words (I don’t think there are any in the English language that are strong enough) to convey the gratitude and praise I have to God for life. Air, breathing in and out of my lungs, allowing me to be. What a blessing—life itself— we take for granted. The present, truly a gift, is something we should offer the Father our songs of praise each and every morning we are allowed to enjoy a new day (Psalm 139:14/ James 4:14/ Proverbs 27:1/ Psalm 39:5/ Psalm 144:4/ Lamentations 3:22-23) .
Yes, life is an amazing blessing, and we should use it wisely. People out in the hustle and bustle, worrying (sometimes completely stressing out) over getting the oil changed and what to cook for dinner and that school board meeting coming up. Worried over things that have no eternal value whatsoever, yet neglecting the thing that matters most. The soul. Being gifted with the blessing of life has offered an even deeper desire to tell people their soul needs salvation. That none of the daily chaos going down matters, but our eternity is monumental. A serious matter. Life may be a gift, but eternal life is far superior (Romans 6:23). I’m not a vocal person, but I have a lot to say, and I want everyone to know they are in danger and in need of a Savior.
At the same time, I’ve studied people on social media platforms. Apologists, theologians, and even simple Bible school teachers and leaders for women’s ministries who’ve made their presence in cyberspace known. I’ve noticed that everyone is an “expert” in what they’re posting.
Before my down time, I commented on a popular ministry’s post, offering Biblical insight and offering my blog page for more information about the topic being discussed. It was removed. The post contained nothing confrontational, nothing negative in any manner, it was solely based on Biblical support. Yet, I’ve found that many “teachers” feel they are above learning. They (as they believe) already have all the answers.
Friends, when we fail to continue to learn and be teachable–even those called to teach—we are putting ourselves in danger of failure to grow and mature. Even teachers still have lessons to learn themselves, as no one is ever fully mature until they see the glory of Heaven.
With this said, what I communicate is truth I’ve learned and feel convicted to share in order to help believers grow to maturity, spurring them along in their walk with Christ, building them up, and ministering to them (teaching) by offering information, studies, life experiences, and other education and encouragement. Nevertheless, I want to stress, as I have before, that I am also continuing to grow and learn. Therefore, if I’ve ever come off as superior, unteachable, or authoritative beyond correction, I send my most heartfelt apologies. My sole desire is to help others in their walk, after the primary goal of sharing the Gospel and leading the lost to Christ as His light.
Friends, slow down.
Enjoy life; it truly is a most precious gift.
Focus on the most important thing in this life–Jesus and eternity (yes, they are synonymous here), and tell others about Him.
Set your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2) on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and commendable (Philippians 4:8). And never refuse to learn. Be teachable. Don’t assume you already know everything there is to know about a topic.
Love, grace, and peace to you all
