Everything Beautiful in His Time

Everything Beautiful in His Time - Things may look like a mess now, but someday it will all make sense.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

God has painted time with changes. The kaleidoscopic movement of innumerable processes will be seen in the end as “beautiful in its time.”  It may look a mess up close, just as putting your face too near a big painting will distort your view of it. Stepping back puts it in better perspective.  One day we will step back, look at the finished canvas of life with the Artist by our side, and see it in all its beauty and completeness.

The same thought inspired some unknown author to write:

Not till the loom is silent,

And the shuttle ceases to fly

Will God unveil the canvas,

And show the reason why

The black threads were as needful

In the weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 goes on to say, “Also He has put eternity in their hearts.”  People who have a world view from a worldly perspective will fail to see beauty in black threads.  All will be meaningless to them.

But for those of us who have eternity in our hearts, it is another matter.  We are lent faith to believe that “…every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor – it is the gift of God” (Ecc. 3:12).  And, it is the grace of God that will enable us to leave the explanations of the dark threads till heaven.  This faith will help us “…to rejoice, and to do good in [our] lives” (Ecc. 3:12).

To everything there is a season; a time for this and a time for that.  There is a time to ask God to put eternity in your heart – now!  Ask Him.

By Jill Bricoe

devo via here, images via here

Fear He Who Quiets the Storm

By Jill Briscoe

“Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.”  ~ Mark 4:36

There was another storm on Galilee.  Jesus and the disciples were in a boat together.  According to Mark, “other little boats” went along.  We do not know who was in those other vessels; all we know is that they wanted to be near Jesus.

“And a great wind storm arose, and the waves beat the boat, so that it was already filling” (v. 37).  This time, even Peter was afraid of the storm.  If the big boat was in trouble, can you imagine what was happening to the little boats?

Jesus, meanwhile, was asleep in the stern (see v. 38).  His frightened men woke Him up and accused Him of not caring for them properly.  “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (v. 38) they asked Him.  Jesus didn’t answer that question, but He stilled the storm, and He told them He cared about their lack of trust!  “Why are you so fearful?” He asked them.  “How is it that you have no faith?” (v. 40).  The Bible says the disciples “feared exceedingly” (v. 41).

It always makes more sense to fear the power of the One who can still the storm rather than to fear the power of the storm itself!  The other little boats were helped when Jesus stopped the wind and hushed the sea to sleep.  Our faith, or lack of it, always affects the little boats that sail by our side.  We mother should remember that!

Images via here, devo via here

Let God Carry Your Burdens

My nails are painted that exact color! Essie Turquoise and Caicos {here!}

By Jill Briscoe

“Bear one another’s burdens.” - Galatians 6:2

There is a time for everything, a season for this and a season for that. There is a time to bear a care in solitude, and a time to share a prayer with a friend. We need the wisdom to know when to shoulder responsibility, when to delegate, and when to cast it all upon Jesus – our incomparable Burden Bearer.

Sometimes I have to have a cry, then wash my face, and get on with it! I know I must bear the thing alone. Another day, when I was burdened beyond belief after watching a loved one suffer, a friend came to me and touched my hurt with tenderness, mending the raw edges of my helplessness. Such love brought a blessed buoyancy that helped more than I could tell. Someone cared enough to help make my burden bearable. Yes, there is a season for sorrow, a time to bear another’s burdens.

But there comes a time when only God’s shoulders are broad enough to carry the weight of my worry. Then crushing burdens become carried burdens. Yoked to Him, I can plow my lonely furrow, walk a straight path, cope with the intolerable, and figure out the impossible. Then, having been carried, I am sent on my way strengthened to help carry another. I need to pray:

Show me when to share, Lord – Commission me to carry, Lord

And teach me not to burden one of your special children, if I must bear my burden alone!

images via here, devo via here

Joshua 1:9