Nothing
But a Blade of Grass
What do a weaver’s shuttle, a shadow, the wind, a vapor,
a runner, a flower, and grass all have in common? Respectively—(Job 7:6), (1
Chronicles 29:15; Job 8:9), (Psalm 78:39), (Job 4:14), (Job 9:25), (Job 14:2), (Psalm
102:11; Isaiah 40:6).
The Bible mentions each of these things in metaphors to
describe the brevity of life on earth. Truly, we are here today and gone
tomorrow. Even if we live to be 100 years old, compared to eternity, that’s
just a drop in a bucket.
We really are like a flower or blade of grass that’s
vibrant today but withers tomorrow.
James encourages us to use our time wisely because it’s
going to run out before we know it. “You do not know what will happen tomorrow.
For what is your life like? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time
and then vanishes away” (James 4:14 NKJV). In the New Living Translation: “like
the morning fog—it is here a little while, then it’s gone.”
In Sunday’s sermon our pastor elaborated on this topic
describing how we must get ourselves in alignment with God if we want to make
the best of the brief time we have on the earth.
If you’ve ever had the skeletal system of your body or
the tires on your car out of alignment, you have a firsthand idea of the
importance of being in proper alignment.
Pastor’s springboard for his message was Matthew 6:33.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added to you.”
In order to have our lives in proper alignment we must
follow the instructions of this passage. When we seek God’s ways above all else
in all areas of our lives then all things we need will be provided. This is a
promise from Jesus Himself. He spoke these words to His followers while
teaching how to live according to God’s ways in order to have the abundant life
our Creator desires for each of us.
Pastor Hal went on to say that when our hearts are not
spiritually aligned with God it causes unnecessary wear on us. Just like when
our tires are out of line, it’s costly.
Living in righteousness is alignment in living and this
alignment begins with seeking God over all else. This is single-mindedness.
Pastor quoted George Barna, of the Barna Group: “When
individuals are single-minded in their devotion to God, their commitment to His
ways and His principles become much deeper, much more intense. Once they have
made a serious commitment, then the peripherals don’t matter much.”
God sees us from two perspectives—where we currently are
and where we could be. He also sees our lives on this earth as temporary and is
more concerned about our eternity than our present. We should be more concerned
with our eternity as well. After all, in this life we are but a passing shadow.
It is our preparation for life after the grave.
Looking
at life through God’s lenses:
1. God sees our lives on earth as temporary (2
Corinthians 4:18; James 4:14; Colossians 3:1-2; Ephesians 2:6).
2. God sees our lives on earth as vessels to
reflect His glory (Isaiah 43:7; Isaiah 42: 8).
3. God sees our lives as having purpose
(Ephesians 1:18).
So do
this:
1. Pray first (Proverbs 8:17; Psalm 5:8). Give
God the best part of your day—seek Him early.
2. Make each day count (Ephesians 5:15-18).
3. Remember who you are and who you represent
(Colossians 3:17).
“A
spiritual man is not a man born again, but a man born again and walking in
alignment.”
-Watchman Nee
Let’s get our lives in alignment with God’s standards we
see in His Word and let’s each be the spiritual man Watchman Nee talked about.
Much of this post came from the sermon of my pastor, Hal
Adams, last Sunday, September 10, 2017.
If you wish to experience his sermon titled “Alignment and God,” in its
entirety just click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/RadfordWorshipCenter/?hc_ref=ARQ5Zu-7S34nUhDvjlVRcM4GYA3zkncPBkjr-YdPqrne5T-UFLsZvw-JUW6KgXjktm0&pnref=story I believe you’ll be blessed by it.
Thanks for stopping by. Your comments are welcome.
©Copyright
2017 Connie Wohlford
