12.01.20—Priorities!--Matthew 8:21-22
My friend, may I ask you a question? Is being a Christian is like being a dance? If you want the goal, really crave the outcome of eternal life, then do you have to be willing to accept the pain that goes along with it.?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I’m M. Clifford Brunner
Two of my three daughters were dancers. They have taken classes since they were three or four and one, Hannah, yet has three more years of commitment to dance before she is finished with instruction. Dance, especially a commitment to pointe and ballet, is extremely demanding physically and emotionally. There are the three to four lessons every week that must be fit somehow into an otherwise busy schedule of home school classes and and personal time.
Dance commands a regimen that only the strong and the committed can afford. There are the sore muscles, broken toes and many, many hours of practice, practice, practice. When I looked at Hannah’s feet and saw the bruises and already knarled toes, for a fourteen-year-old, it appeared that she had the feet of a woman much older. I asked her if she thought it was worth the pain? Not even looking up she answered me plainly, almost methodically, “If you want to dance, the pain is secondary.”
Over the triple doorways of the cathedral of Milan there are three inscriptions spanning the splendid arches. Over one is carved a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath it is the legend, “All that which pleases is but for a moment.”
Over the other is sculptured a cross, and there are the words, “All that which troubles us is but for a moment.”
But underneath the great central entrance to the main aisle is the inscription, “That only is important which is eternal.” If we always realize these three truths, we will not let trifles trouble us, not be interested so much in the passing pleasures of the hour. We should live for the permanent and the eternal. (Source Unknown.)
Being a Christian is like being a dancer. If you want the goal, really crave the outcome of eternal life, then you have to be willing to accept the pain that goes along with it. There really isn’t any way of getting around it. Following Jesus means following Jesus from the low and humble manger to the rough and splintered surface of Calvary’s cross. There is only one pathway to heaven and it isn’t free of pain and suffering. Each of us needs to take stock of the costs and regularly examine our walk. As my daughter must regularly check and care for her feet, so we too need to make our faith a priority, always fussing and primping over it, but never allowing the bruises and breaks that affect it to stop our walk to glory. Following Christ is hard work. But, if we are willing to make it the priority in our lives, He will give us the ability to overcome the pain so that we can find the gain.
We pray. Heavenly Father. There is only one pathway to heaven and it isn’t free of pain and suffering. Lord, each of us needs to take stock of the costs and regularly examine our walk in faith. As my daughters must have regularly checked and cared for their feet, so we too need to make our faith a priority, always fussing and primping over it, but never allowing the bruises and breaks that affect it to stop our walk to glory. Forgive us when we stop to focus on the pain and not the gain. Following You is hard work. But, if we are willing to make it the priority in our lives, we know You will give us the ability to overcome the pain so that we can find the gain. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to "This Passing Day!"
<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.