Bumblebees

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

People, many times, are like this. They never look up to see the solution of their problem. King Saul looked inside instead of up and played the role of priest instead of king. Abraham looked inside instead of up and lied about Sarah. Peter looked inside instead of up and denied the Lord. I looked inside instead of up and . . . (fill in your answer).

We have to look up. Time of prayer! Time of reflection! Know where you are, get your compass out – then look up! He may not deliver you, but he will be there so you don’t destroy yourself.

Isaiah says,

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment
and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever,
my righteousness will never fail.”

(Isa. 51:6 NIV)

The Shepherd's Voice

There is a European legend about a shepherd who lived in the mountains with his daughter. When she was a little girl she loved to go out in the pasture with her father. She particularly got a thrill out of hearing him call the sheep with that loud distinctive shepherd’s call that would echo through the mountains. She grew up and moved to Glasgow. She wrote fewer and fewer times as she was away longer and began leading a very sinful life.
The father heard a rumor that his daughter was not living right. With a broken heart he went down into the streets of the city. They said that it was a real sight to see him in his shepherd’s outfit and a staff in the city going into all kinds of places looking for her. He just could not find her, but he refused to give up. He decided to call for her in his shepherd’s voice. He walked the streets calling out her name and in some dingy apartment, she faintly heard that call. She pushed her companion aside and went to the window and saw her father coming down the street. She ran down to meet him and they embraced and he took her back home.
Legend has it that on the mountainside there is a gravestone over the girl’s body that has etched on it one word: “forgiven!”
True shepherds know their sheep. True shepherds number their sheep. True shepherds go after their sheep when they have wandered away.
I pray for all the shepherds of the world that they will call for the lost sheep and be able to bring them home. God will rejoice if only one is found and brought back into the fold.

Being Church

I was reminded recently again that people watch those of us that are the church. I was also reminded that when a church fails someone, the memories don't go away. I sat across from this person that told their story of how a church had been judgmental, unkind and unforgiving. Tears could not be held back as the pain again suffered. My only thought was why couldn't they just have been kind, loving, forgiving and patient!

But then I remember how I have been in the past. I know that I was not understanding. I know that I was not kind. And you bet I was not forgiving. The hurt, disappointment, the thought that "if this is the way church people act, then I don't want any part of that", no wonder they leave. No wonder they don't come back.

I just pray for all of those that have left that they could find a place where people are Jesus to them. I pray that they will give the church another chance. I pray that they will be able to see past our sins, indiscretions, failures or judgments. I pray that they will be able to experience what I have experienced - undeserving forgiveness and acceptance from a God that could turn his back on me, but didn't.

Let the church show Jesus instead of themselves. Maybe then the world will come to know the one that the church worships every day.

Sid