A Lesson from the Vultures

Three vultures were being released into the wild. After spending years of "captivity" inside the giant preservation cage since chicks, these members of an endangered species were finally set free to enjoy the rest of their lives in liberty.
Guess what happened next!
They did soar above the clouds and took their flight around the mountains -- just to return to their previous cage!
Sometimes, as Christians, we fall into the same pattern. Not understanding the unsurmountable grace granted us by the Lord's redemption and the privileges owned by every member of the citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom, we repeatedly fall back into old habits, weakness and lack of faith that we really should have left behind the day we welcomed Christ and His power into our lives.
The Spirit and the divine power resting in our lives as believers is greater than the one that is in the world (see I John 4:4). So, now, after we have been set free from the bondage of sin and granted the full-measure of freedom as children of God, why are we so easily tempted by our old self with all its weaknesses?
As Apostle Paul put it, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (II Corinthians 5:17)
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:1-2).
In other words: start living our new citizenship. We're free vultures, not birds of the cage!

A Painting on My Bedroom's Wall

I see a river and a mill,
Standing on the foot of a hill.
I think the river holds its smile,
For no laughter's heard at the while.
Two damsels sit still in their boat,
And the boys run as if afloat.
I see a barn and a farm's yard,
Two gardens full-covered with sward,
White fences dividing the lawns,
The farmer gives a constant frown!
I see a stallion and a mare,
Two ducks, two sows, and no mad hare!

I believe I see them all talk,
In ways that doesn't move the clock.
I love the river and the mill,
Though forever they will stand still.

I love their silence even more,
And hear it rushing to the shore.


Shamantika -- June 24, 2002 (09.38 p.m.)

Turning Worry into Action

Don’t worry! Be happy!
We often hear or read this expression as we drive along the way, walk down the road to our office, or wait on the line at the local grocery.
Easier said than done, most of us would silently scoff back at the expression. Who is free of worries in this hustle and hurry world?
Nevertheless, even the Bible encourages us not to worry. Matthew 6: 34 says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
When Jesus said those words, He didn’t mean for us not to plan our future. The emphasis is on anxiety, not anticipation!
Planning is good. Having a plan is necessary. But trouble, distress, and headache come when we fear that our plan won’t work! Worrying is doubling the burden on a task that should take half the energy when done without being anxious.
The point is: make your plan and anticipate whatever circumstance that may take place, but leave the rest to God. Worrying won’t do any good.
Paul Borden, for example, gave some good tips on how to turn anxiety into reasonable steps:
1. Write down the things you’re worrying about. Family life, work at the office, children’s future, whatever things might occupy and/or obscure your mind.
2. Pray for the worries you’ve written down. Ask God specifically to help you face or go through those worrying circumstances.
3. Turn them into action. Try jotting down any effort you may take to solve specific, worrisome problems. This step makes things more reasonable to face and cope with.
After you’ve written down, prayed for, and planned on solving the problems that have been casting a net of anxiety over your heart and mind, trust God to guide you through – He will certainly turn all your worries into provision and solution!