What an absolutely glorious morning. I know this even though just the first hints of dawn are peaking through. I am doing something I almost never do. I’m sitting on our patio drinking a cup of coffee and absorbing the cool dry air. From where I sit I can watch as the light begins to fill the eastern sky over Bayou Tortue. I can hear the birds as they begin to stir. They must be female birds, talking so much so early. A day like this has to be filled with wonderful promise and all good things.
I didn’t feel like this when I laid my head down last night. I was tired, discouraged, and drained. I fell asleep wondering what new horror the next day would bring. I needed rest and refreshment. I get it by falling asleep with Christian radio playing through my earbuds. The night alternates periods of restorative sleep with minutes of encouragement and hope piped into my soul. The combination performs the miracle of night.
The prosperity teachers are such liars. The Follower isn’t promised an easier life. I have observed that the more we strive to follow Jesus the harder, not easier, life is. Richard Rohr’s daily devotional email contained this:
An overly protected life–a life focused on thinking more than experiencing–does not know deeply or broadly. Jesus did not call us to the poor and to the pain only to be helpful; he called us to be in solidarity with the real and for own transformation. It is often only after the fact we realize that they helped us in ways we never knew we needed. This is sometimes called “reverse mission.” The ones we think we are “saving” end up saving us, and in the process, redefine the very meaning of salvation!
If we aren’t tired, discouraged and exhausted at the end of the day, we aren’t living we’re just existing. If we aren’t encouraged, pumped, excited and challenged at the beginning of the day, we aren’t Followers, we are lost and off course, or worse, stuck in the harbor.
The first hints of day have given way to enough light to reveal just some of the things that need to be done. The time for contemplation is over. It’s time to get going.
Blessings.
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