Change of Perspective

Good morning! I hope you enjoyed your long weekend and are heading into the shortened work week with gusto.

Today, I want to talk to you about perspective. My father-in-law has been visiting with us these past few days. Last night we took him to Mount Washington overlooking downtown Pittsburgh. This view was once voted as one of the top 10 views in America. One of the things I find striking about the view from Mount Washington, is the change of perspective.

There are times in life, when we need a change of perspective. We may be going through a difficult circumstance, and from our viewpoints in the middle, it looks hopeless, but a change of perspective brings hope. Look at the following passages from the Old Testament:

2 Kings 6:14-17 (NLT)

So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. [15] When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere.

"Ah, my lord, what will we do now?" he cried out to Elisha.

[16] "Don't be afraid!" Elisha told him. "For there are more on our side than on theirs!" [17] Then Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!" The Lord opened his servant's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Elisha’s servant thought that all hope was lost. In his mind there was no way out. Only after his eyes were opened, did he see God was already moving on his behalf.

I have often compared the trials of life to driving in the fog. When I drive through the fog, I realize that just because I can’t see the other vehicles, doesn’t mean they are not there. At some point the fog will lift or they will be close enough to me that they become visible. The same is true with life. I may not be able to see God’s movement, but I know He is near. When the time is right, the fog will lift and his presence will become obvious.

Today if you are facing difficult circumstances, I encourage you to do just Elisha did. Pray for an opening of your eyes and a change of your perspective.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Rainy Days

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and the chance to honor your mother this past Mother’ Day.

It has been raining here since yesterday afternoon. At times I love a good spring rain and at other times, like yesterday when I was trying to cook on the grill, I find it frustrating. It is with that thought in mind that I would like to talk about the rainy days of life.

Psalm 65:10 (NLT)

You drench the plowed ground with rain,

melting the clods and leveling the ridges.

You soften the earth with showers

and bless its abundant crops.

Just as it is with the weather so it is with life. Every day is not filled with sunshine and blue skies. Many days are cloudy and rain filled, some are even stormy. But have you ever considered the necessity of rainy days?

Without the rain, the farmer’s crops would wither and die. The ground would become hardened beyond usefulness, parched and cracked. Streams, lakes and rivers would no longer be life sustaining and would ultimately return to dry land.

We depend on the rain to help sustain the delicate balance of nature, but what about those rainstorms of life?

Our lives are dynamic and always changing, much like the weather. Like it or not we will all endure rainy seasons within our lives, but the good news is those seasons serve a purpose.

Look at the first sentence of the Psalm, the rain melts the clods and levels their ridges. We are all guilty of being a little hard hearted at times. The hardened soil of our heart is not conducive to fruitful living and so God allows the rains to come. As we endure the rainy season our heart is softened. We become more open to God’s move and direction in our lives and our heart once again becomes fertile ground.

The rains of our lives also nourish what has already been planted. Through the difficult times we become more aware of God’s presence and his unique nature. When we hurt, we learn of God’s comforting power. When we are discouraged, we learn of God’s encouraging presence. When we are beaten down, we understand the unfathomable strength of God. We would never understand the depth of God’s love or the completeness of God’s power, if we did not face the difficulties that come through the rainy seasons of life.

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life, we neglect our relationship with God. Our souls become parched and well runs dry. The rainy seasons of life, cause us to bring our focus back upon God. We renew our fellowship with Him and in spite of the adversity our soul is quenched.

If you are in a rainy season of life, thank God for his nourishment and nurture. Look forward to the end of the rainy season, because the harvest is just around the corner.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

A Job Well Done

Good morning! I hope your weekend was restful and that you have entered this new week refreshed and energized.

This past week I finally crossed the finish line of a goal I had been working on for the past few years. After years of lectures, research papers and examinations, I finally completed my Masters Degree. The feeling of satisfaction and the knowledge of a job well done has made all of the effort worthwhile.

Today I want to talk about your work ethic. In our society today many people work as hard at getting out of work as they do at doing their work and many others head off to work each day filled with dread and completely unsatisfied. Is this really the way it should be? Consider the following verse:

Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT)

Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. [5] For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

It is important that we not just view our work as “a job”, but instead view our work through the lens of “a calling.” When we understand that God has placed us in our current roles for a reason, then we can find much deeper meaning in our vocations.

When we have a deep sense of purpose in our work then the sacrifice of self to accomplish our tasks is second nature. Our work is no longer drudgery, but instead a cause for which we will gladly give our very best.

One of the traps and excuses of poor work ethic is the comparison game. We look around and set our sights on that one person who is getting more reward than we are. We become critical and negative when we enter into this arena. Comparison is dangerous; it generally leads to either pride or discouragement, neither of which is healthy.

When we do our work well, there is no need for comparison. We take satisfaction in the effort that was put forth and the completion of the task at hand. The work was its own reward.

Today if you are dissatisfied in your work, I encourage you to evaluate your work ethic. Are you viewing your work as a call or a job? Have you given your very best? Have you worked for the glory of the Lord?

This week remember that no matter who signs your paycheck, your work is unto the Lord. Give him your very best and take satisfaction in a job well done.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Commit an intentional act of kindness

Commit an intentional act of kindness

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend. My family and I took advantage of the beautiful spring weather and spent most of our weekend outdoors.

This weekend, I spend some time with a group of men from my church helping others with various projects ranging from moving heavy appliances to wiring up connections for trailer lights.

One of the greatest blessings we have in our lives is the ability to help others. I have some of my greatest personal growth has come from times of selfless service. Unfortunately the majority of the time, we live our lives in a bubble, somewhat ignorant of the world around us and insulated from the needs of others.

But God has a different plan for our lives:

Titus 3:14 (NLT)

For our people should not have unproductive lives. They must learn to do good by helping others who have urgent needs.

The toughest thing about serving is that it takes sacrifice. For me to serve someone is going to require a sacrifice of my time, it may require a sacrifice of my energy and strength and it may even cost me some money (with current gas prices that could be a lot of money).

All of us have been at a place of need, where we needed a helping hand. The challenge or task at hand, was just too much for us to complete on our own. When the help comes, you feel your spirits rise and even your weariness subsides.

A few years ago there was a bumper sticker that said “Commit a random act of kindess.” I would like to make that my challenge for this morning’s encouragement. Ask God to show you those opportunities for kindness this week. When you are presented with the opportunity…go and commit, not a random act of kindness, but instead and intentional act of kindness.

Your act of kindness may change the entire course of someone’s day.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl