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Oh,
the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around
with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the
LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted
along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never
wither, and in all they do, they prosper. But this is not true of the wicked.
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at
the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the LORD
watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to
destruction.
(Psalm 1:1-6 NLV). The ice storm of 2003 is now in the
history books, at least in our area! We had two full days of frozen drizzle,
rain, and sleet that put three inches of ice on the ground! It forced nearly
everyone into inactivity. I can’t
tell you how happy we were to have the freedom to move about again. It had its
bright spots though. It gave some folks the opportunity to get some extra family
time in with their children. I did have to get out and travel in it a little.
When I returned home after one foray, I noticed that some of our neighbors had
made makeshift sleds from plastic trash can lids and were pulling their children
down the streets. Even though it was very cold out, they seemed to have a great
time together. We live near a small lake and though
it did not freeze over during this storm, I do remember a year when it did. In
fact, we had friends who drove their VW Beetle across it that year! It was an
incredible sight. I’m sure there were thin patches on the lake that were
dangerous to be on, but it didn’t last very long and everyone seemed to have a
wonderful time. That
experience began to recall to me how much life can be like that. When we skate
on God's ice pond, we look forward with joyous anticipation for a wonderful
outing. There are high moments when we swirl in the enormous amount of blessing
He bestows upon us and when we are aware of being filled with His grace and
glory. There are also time when our skates get wobbly and our spiritual ankles
weak, and the gliding is not quite so easy. And, there are also thin patches of
ice, which we must be wary of. When we begin to gossip, or lie or sit in
judgment of others we are treading on thin ice. When we neglect the homeless,
the elderly and the emotionally needy, we are treading on thin ice. When we are
self-centered and too concerned about ourselves, we are treading on thin ice.
God doesn't want us to fall through any thin patches, and He always holds a
lifeline for us. It
is our responsibility to listen to God, for He warns us about these thin
patches, and He equips us with the Holy Spirit to avoid them. I am not
interested in falling through any thin ice, secularly or spiritually. As I do,
pray to be open to the Holy Spirit to help you avoid these dangerous places. |
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