“When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on
them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matt. 9:36
Today, do you find yourself
confused?
We are all sheep in need of a
shepherd, ask yourself “who/what am I following?”
“The reason why many
are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is
because they haven’t yet come to the end of themselves.
We’re still trying to
give orders and interfering with God’s work in us.” (A.W. Tozer)
Discipline breeds discipline. And…
Fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Prv. 1:17)
Self-indulgence breeds self-indulgence. And so…
Amidst this foolish self-indulgent society, navigating life IS
confusing!
But there is hope:
Jesus said, “Come to
Me, all of you who are weary and
carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28
(“Rest” means to
refresh, allow to recover, of calm and patient expectation.)
Tozer shares, “An
infinite God can give ALL of Himself to teach His children.
He does not
distribute Himself that each may have part,
but to EACH He gives ALL of Himself as fully as
if there were no others.
…We need never shout
across the spaces to an absent God.
He is nearer than our
own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.”
Fact: No one ever “arrives” in this life; challenges persist
until our final breath.
We Cleary's have learned to embrace challenges instead of being
defeated or jaded by them. For us, this equation proves powerful:
- God is sovereign, He’s in complete control, and He loves me dearly.
- God has my best in mind; hence, if God is allowing “this” in my life, He has an exceptionally good reason. (God does not allow things for no reason.)
- Amidst this particular “yuk” God desires me to grow/mature in some way for my benefit. (And perhaps for the benefit of others as well.)
- So then, let’s get on with it; Lord, I am glued to You and Your lead.
We love you and are so thankful for you. May we seek our
true Shepherd together.
Shaun and Betsy
“Not that we are competent in ourselves, but our competence comes from
God.
…Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” (2 Cor. 3:5, 12)
