From My Perspective - - -

We live amid fast-paced lives – always doing; always buying; always going somewhere; always wanting something new or different; more and more – leaving one breathless at the end of the day and unable to get adequate rest. Then – there is the embrace of “worries” and “anxieties” – the cares of life and the world piling up and overwhelming one – will my employment be terminated; will my home be lost to foreclosure; can I maintain a reasonable and adequate standard of living; can I meet the rising costs of the basics of life – these and many other concerns weigh one down and leave one weary and aching at the end of the day.

A danger to all of this is what will get crowded out of one’s life – the important and necessary for the maintenance of stability. One can become so involved and absorbed with secular survival, that the spiritual is forgotten and/or neglected. The focus on the here and now dominates and allows one to bypass the eternal. In Mark 4:18-19, Jesus states a Parable about the Seed and The Sower. He rightly points out the various kinds of soil one will encounter. Then Jesus makes this observation about some of the seed: “…And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful...” The language is plain and simple – (1) the cares of this world, and (2) the deceitfulness of riches – enter into one’s thinking and becomes the number one concern. In the process of this occurring, the Word of God – “My God shall supply for all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” – is choked out of one’s life and alternative for living – and – is not allowed to be fruitful for practical living. The Message Translation of Mark 4:18-19 is even more clear: “The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.”

Another area that needs to be refreshed and remembered in our lives is some time allotted for Meditation and Remembering. In 1896, the Hymn Writer succinctly reminded one to:    
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
    Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
    Count your blessings, name them one by one,
                                   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 

In Psalm 103:1-6, one is reminded of this same truth – the things one should remember as Blessings from the Lord Who is merciful and gracious, as well as bountiful in the various ways by which He blesses: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your  diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed...”

As you gather with family, friends, loved ones – make certain that all are directed to remember: “Christ is the Head of this house; the Unseen Guest at every meal; the Silent Listener to every conversation.” A Polish Blessing shares these thoughts: “Lord, we ask You to bless this family with a warm place by the fire when the world is cold; a light in the window when the way is dark; a welcoming smile when the road is long; a haven of love when the day is done; For the Blessing of this home, we give thanks.” Also, I remember the popular song by Perry Como that contained these words: “Bless this house, Oh Lord we pray, Make it safe by night and day. Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out. Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all. Bless this door that it may prove, Ever open to joy and love…Bless the people here within, Keep them pure and free from sin. Bless us all that we may be, Fit Oh Lord to dwell with thee. Bless us all that we, one day, may dwell, Oh Lord, with Thee.” Take time to think about spiritual things – eternal things! Commit yourself to rest in the Lord and to live in His peace. Remind your loved ones of these great truths – and – have a Happy, Joyous Thanksgiving. Consider these things with me!