“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Rom. 1:20
We attended a memorial paddle for a friend recently, during which a highly educated well-meaning woman stood and addressed the gathered crowd,” Mother Nature has taken (friend) from us. And now when you venture out in the sea, know that ______ will be out on the water with you.”
~~Despite this woman’s heartfelt words and convictions, all I could think was, “Oh God, please let all these mourners see You, and not buy into this humanist lie … You are not ‘mother nature’, You are Father God”. And as I walked the beach long afterwards, I got to thinking … is this really all that is left of this wonderful man’s life? … A soul whose years boil down to few good memories and a sandy shore strewn with washed up rose petals and flower stems? … I pray not, Lord. I pray he knew You.
Soon after this memorial paddle, Thanksgiving Day was upon us….and again I was struck by another human being, only this time it was a mans life, not death, that plucked at my heart strings ~~ This soul took Lk. 14:12-14 to heart, picked up a handful of homeless people from around town that he had befriended over the last year, brought them back to his beautiful home, and there, prepared a magnificent Thanksgiving feast for them. But that wasn’t all … after dinner they gathered together, sat down in his living room and watched a family movie as one. ~~~ Expressions of thanksgiving and heartfelt love enthroned this home this blessed night.
(“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14)
Two human beings, two very different stories. Both stepped out of their comfort zones and touched a handful of lives … lives that will never be the same. However, one did it in what appears to be “in the name and compassion of humanity”, and the other did it “in the Name and love of Christ”.
Oh God, that each of our lives will be lives commemorated by stories of our intimate walk with You! Relationships … it’s all about relationships. Help us Jesus. Help us to see what really matters from Your eternal perspective, and what is going to merely burn one day. Rev. 20:11-15.
Below is a link to a young artist named Akiane Kramarik. Many of you have seen her story aired on CNN, but we Cleary’s decided to pull it up again to refresh and focus our minds on what really matters. Akiane’s continued story and insights into eternity are awe inspiring. www.youtube.com/watch?v=49wut32Cguw
What a glorious time of year it is! … Let’s live (and one day die) for Him.
God bless you,
Shaun and Betsy
