Nothing But a Blade of Grass

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