HIDDEN TEACHERS

On occasions, the greatest teachers are often overlooked. They are out there ready to teach us, but for some poor learners, like me, they are somehow hidden from our sight. These dynamic “hidden teachers” are named adversity and affliction.

Why is it that so often our greatest learning moments come in pain, despair, trouble, disappointment and hardship? Why is it that I am I so sure of myself I don’t seem to learn until the teachers of adversity and affliction take over the class? Dang it, I wish we sat in the front row during prosperity and affluence, but that is NOT the way we are made. We love to be self-reliant and when things go well, we don’t seem to attend class at all. I guess we hope one of the smart ones attend class and takes good notes.

“How gracious He will be when you cry for help. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more, with your own eyes you will see them” Isaiah 30:19

In order to be sustained physically we need bread and water, so too, in order to learn, accept the good bread of adversity and the sustaining water of affliction.

Wanting to Soar

I was on a run today, on country road in sunny Southern California, when I paused to watch the beauty, grace and ease of a large hawk soaring over me. Effortless, an occasional flap of a wing, and the bird circles, glides through the air. The hawk is perfectly designed for soaring the wings grab the air naturally without effort. As I watched I thought about my life. I know I haven't been soaring lately, maybe you feel the same? Sometimes life can get us down, we can be discouraged and living well is not effortless, it is a struggle. As I watched the magnificant bird I was reminded that God designed me to soar too. That by following closely His way, I too can live my life with a greater freedom, ease and hope. What a great reminder today.

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" Isaiah 40:31

Every Day Counts

Our journey through this life is a process of building up and tearing down. Of moving forward and faultering. Some good and some bad. So many of us meander along hoping we arrive at our destination or even worse don't even have a destination in mind. I want to live my life with a keen understanding that every day counts toward something. I want each day to count toward developing a greater trust in God's love for me. I want the hours I spend today to be for good, for loving others and moving toward the destinations I have set before me. The book I read says "remember the ant and be wise" The ant has not ruler or king, yet they are busy doing their part, a little at a time, everyday and soon they have stored their food, or built their place to live. There are no shortcuts. Build your life just a little bit each day, moving foward, staying away from the stumble. But if you do faulter or fail, the next day starts anew, with its own set of worries, challenges and opportunities.