Facing Dumpsters

 "...In this world you will have trouble..."

Recently, as I threw away my trash, I did the unthinkable.

The hand that was holding my phone released its grip, and by the time my brain caught up with what my hand had done, my brain was also processing the thud as my phone came to rest on the pizza box at the bottom of dumpster. 

So, what's next?

I looked around desperately seeking a superhero...someone braver than I, more nimble than I...no such luck. 

Next option, call someone to help...

Um, clearly not an option as we have already established, my phone was nestled comfortably on top of the pizza box.

With a deep sigh, I realized this one was all on me. 

The dumpster had a gap or chute-looking thing on the side where I could put my foot. With my left foot there, I hauled myself up to the edge. From there...well...I didn't pause too long to think about the next step because, well, the next step was lowering myself deep into the dark belly of the dumpster. 

Fortunately, I could put my left foot down on some rolled up fencing, but in order to reach my phone, I had to also put my right foot down somewhere. This foot came down with a crunch, a crackle, and a sensation of cool, sticky trash juice oozing between my toes. 

I lunged for my phone and clutched it in my grasp. 

Victory! 

And yet, I had to get myself back out of this beast. 

The fencing held for me to make the return trip and I mustered enough strength to perch back on the rim of the dumpster. Turning slowly, I lowered my left, non-gooey, foot back to the side chute and landed safely back on the pavement. 

The whole saga amounted to maybe three minutes of time...

so, why am I being so dramatic about it? 

I did it! I just fished my phone from a dumpster! Not everyone can say they've faced that challenge!

Life Lessons:

• Be careful.
• Life is full of dumpster moments. 
• Sometimes these moments have to be faced alone. 
• Don't stay in the dumpster. 
• Sanitize.
• Share...even your dumpster moments.
  
  
  

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~Jesus (John 16:33)

Beware the Thorns! (2/2)

 

 Beware the Thorns! (2 of 2)

"Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants." ~Matthew 13:7

We need to reflect on this passage a little more. In the first post we put our focus on the thorns. The modern-day thorns of work, schedules, social media, and other diversions that clamor for our attention, divide our hearts, and choke out the seeds of God's Word in our lives. Despite the fact that those words were extremely convicting, Scripture does give us encouragement. 

Today, we are going to put our focus on the seed of God's Word. 

Isaiah 55:6-11

"Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways 
and the unrighteous their thoughts. 
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, 
and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 
'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 
neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD.
'As the heavens are higher than the earth, 
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, 
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, 
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: 
It will not return to me empty, 
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.'"

It can be some comfort to know that while I have allowed the thorns to grow in my own life, God's Word will still accomplish its purpose: "It will not return to me empty..." The one who misses out here? Me! 

I have missed the blessing of sharing God's Word. 

I have missed the blessing of a fruitful life. 

I have missed it. 

This particular opportunity is over, and thankfully, God will accomplish his purpose through someone else while I watch just one more TikTok, binge five more episodes on Netflix, or scroll through the new posts on social media. I allowed the thorns to choke this opportunity.

Jesus' teaching with the parable didn't end with the tragic story of those of us who allow the seeds to be choked with our modern-day thorns. Jesus went on to share that another option is possible; the people who allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives in order to produce fruitful lives. 

"Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown." ~Mark 4:20

Let us learn our lesson and be vigilant against the "busy" thorns in our lives that create barriers that keep us from a fruitful life filled with the blessing of sharing God's beautiful promises. 

Prayer: 

Almighty God, we thank You for the opportunity to share Your Word. Forgive us, Lord, for giving our precious time and attention to various thorns. Guide us away from thorns in our lives that choke out Your Word. Help us recognize these thorns and weed them out of our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Beware the Thorns! (1/2)

 Beware the Thorns! (1 of 2)

"Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants." ~Matthew 13:7

Gardening season is in full swing, and with it, the daily fight to keep our young, tender plants healthy while also keeping the weeds from taking over the fertile ground. 

Our spiritual lives face a similar fight, and today's words may hurt you like they hurt me. I have let the thorns grow. Actually, I not only let the thorns grow, I let the thorns take over. Want a thorn salad? Not very appetizing, and certainly painful to chew and tough to swallow--just like my painful realization. 

Jesus is speaking in the previous words from Matthew. He is teaching in parables as he so often did. The curious (and confused) disciples asked Jesus the meaning of these words, and the following is what Jesus stated in reply: 

"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." ~Matthew 13:22

Mark 4 also recounts Jesus' parable, and Mark records the explanation in the following manner in verses 18-19:

"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." ~Mark 4:18-19

Unfruitful. Ouch. Yes, I am guilty of nurturing the thorns in my life to the point of being unfruitful.

The Passion Translation words Jesus' explanation a little differently, and possibly a little more painfully: 

"The one sown among thorns represents one who receives the message, but all of life's busy distractions, his divided heart, and his ambition for wealth result in suffocating the kingdom message and it becomes fruitless." ~Matthew 13:22

Now, let's take a moment to assess what exactly surrounds us. A fruitful life or destructive thorns?

What I see surrounding me are worldly concerns: my schedule, my obligations, my desires. Yes, I am guilty of nurturing the thorns of a divided heart and a quest for success. I have given attention to these "thorns" rather than nurturing my personal relationship with Almighty God. 

Today, let us reflect on Jesus' parable, get rid of the thorns in each of our lives, and put our focus where it belongs--on developing a fruitful life for our Creator.

Prayer: 

Almighty God, we are so thankful for the Bible and Jesus personally teaching us--warning us--about the thorns in this life. Forgive us for nurturing thorns rather than being fruitful with the seeds that have been entrusted to us. Guide each of us with the Holy Spirit, and help us to respond Your leading. In Jesus' Name. Amen.