Genesis 21:1 THE
LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for her as He had promised.
2 For Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the
set time God had told him. 3 Abraham named his son whom Sarah bore to him Isaac
[laughter]. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days
old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when
Isaac was born. 6 And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh; all who hear
will laugh with me. 7 And she said, Who would have said to Abraham that
Sarah would nurse children at the breast? For I have borne him a son in his old
age!
Genesis 22:17 In
blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants
like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. Your
descendants will gain possession of the gates of their enemies. All nations on
earth will bless themselves by your descendants, because you have obeyed my
command.
I am fairly certain that God is not going do this to me or
to you. However, these verses are important because God has a plan for you and
me no matter what stage of life we are. Just as God blessed Abraham and Sarah
after all the agony of being without children, He will bless you for your
faithfulness and for your obedience.
One of the lessons I learned about 25 years ago was that God
had a plan for me. I had my own plan, however, it was not working well for me.
I thought my life was at end. Somehow, God spoke to me, I decided to let God
lead, and I would follow the best I could. When doors opened, I went through.
There were a couple of false starts but they were a learning experience.
During this last twenty-five years, I have met so many
wonderful people that have added value to my life. I have learned so much about
life that I would not have had if I had kept doing what I was doing. At the
time of changing the path of my life, it was a difficult time for my family. We
moved to another state and nothing was certain. The last two children had to
change schools, make new friends and start at a different school. My wife went
through some very hard transitions in that we would not be close to her mother
and helping her. My mother was not well physically and dad was doing the best
he could to help her. We were three hours away so in case of emergency we could
get back. Yet, it did not lessen the guilt and the loss of what was familiar.
When our lives change, we need to make adjustments, life can
be seen as a journey of challenges and exploration. If you keep God in the
center of your life, the map will be provided and less frightening.
Do not be afraid to be of help to someone or just be a
friend. When you get up in the morning, ask God to give you opportunity to be
of service to Him and live a life that Jesus would want you to live. That
should be everyone’s thought the first thing in the morning when they get out
of bed.
Love your neighbor and then yourself, be of good cheer. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will
be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you. You
are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. No one
lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it
shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in
people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your
Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12-16)
Do not wait for someone to make your life better or to make
you more cheerful. Go to others, inspire, and cheer them. In return, you will
find that your life to be more than what it is.
I am sure that everyone’s mother told them at some point in
their life that it is better to give than to receive. This comes from Acts 20:35
“By every means I have shown you that we must exert ourselves in this way to
support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said,
‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”
The great benefit of remembering these words is that our
focus goes out to others and not on ourselves. I have witnessed those who have
made this a part of their lives and inspiring to others in the midst of their
own pain. We had a woman in our small town that would call everyone in the
phone book on their birthday. It was something I looked forward to on my
birthday to hear her voice and giving me good wishes. When she died, it was a
great loss to our community and I am sure that not many realized the good she
did for many people. Just a small act of kindness but it made a big difference.
(Prayer)
Thank you God for all your blessings in our lives. Guide us from our
self-centeredness and make those around us the focus of our lives. Give peace
to those who need know you and let our light be a guide to the path of Jesus.
We know there are many who suffer from depression; addictions and the loss of
loved ones. I ask you to be there for them. Give them hope and ease their
suffering. Amen
