July 4th, 2021: Paying Attention to God

 

I got this picture from a friend last week after our conversation about growing fruits on other people's trees. It was about how we invest our lives in other people's lives. We came to the conclusion that our perception of success is not the same as what others might have expected.


So what is the guidance that we have learned to rely on as we go about growing fruits on other people's trees?


Isaiah 58:11: "The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."


We need to pray constantly for the pathway of life. It is not that hard to take a wrong turn and find ourselves in deep trouble. We also need to be aware that it has no shortcut. It can be full of challenges and painful lessons. 


We need to be aware of the dryness of our souls. It is a common experience for many people in my line of work. Things might appear to go very well externally, and yet our souls are dry. We cannot provide refreshments to others from an empty well. 


We should long for God's restoration. None of us can be free from the damage of this life. Envy, resentment, frustration, jealousy, and doubts can find their way into our hearts and minds. We depend on God for the safety of our hearts, renewal of our spirit, and strength of our bodies.


The rain finally came Friday night in our city after almost a week of an intense heatwave. The air was so refreshing, and the temperature dropped about 14 degrees within an hour. It was a pleasant evening, and we felt much better. Sometimes I feel like that by walking with God through a very trying time. Somehow the stress of life just subsided as we pray. We don't understand, but it happens.


Have a great Sunday!

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