Fall into Christ

For the last few weeks, I have been focusing on making the yard at my job look good by trying to mow the leaves past the fence and out of the front and back yards.  Pushing leaves out of the yard is a long and tedious job but once I am finished and I have a clean yard, I remember why the job is worth the time.  It takes me twice the amount of time it would normally take me to mow the yard because in order to blow the leaves I have to mow only one direction.  I alternate between two methods, which includes driving down the line in forward and reverse and driving down the line and then returning to the beginning to drive down the line of leaves again.  Driving backwards on a zero turn mower is neither natural or preferred, it takes a lot of concentration and accepting the possibility of a crick in your neck.  First you have to determine the best place to begin pushing the leaves.  Once you figure this out, pushing the leaves isn't too bad and moves quite smoothly but as you get closer to the fence line, the pile of leaves gets larger and more difficult to push.  

I began to think about how sometimes problems in our lives rain down just like these leaves.  It may be one problem that has gotten so big that it feels like your life is covered by it or it could be multiple problems filling up your life from all directions.  When this happens it can be difficult to know where to start.  Removing the problems from your life can often take time and require you to deal with them in a way that you aren't used to.  Sometimes people prefer not to work on their problem(s) because they can't remember the beauty and peace found in life without them.  Sometimes people do not want to have to endure the pain of listening and dealing with their own contribution to the problem(s).  We all know that many times in working on the problems of life things are going to get harder before they become easier.  James had an exhortation to this at the beginning of his book saying, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Jesus is always with us.  There is no time in our life that He cannot handle or help us out of.  Jesus is there in our joyful times, times of sorrow, times of being buried under problem after problem, and times when we can't even see a light at the end of the tunnel.  We always have hope in Christ.  Before we make any decisions or choose any actions in solving a problem, we should lay it at the feet of Jesus.  Though we may be able to get out of the problem on our own, I can promise you that Jesus will offer you the best solution to your problem that will bring you the most joy and peace.  Jesus can help to give you clarity and remind you of what your life can be with the problem repaired or removed.  Though it is hard to imagine a clean yard when you first begin raking, there is such peace and joy when you have finished and see the fruits of your toil.  Remember as Proverbs 3:5-6 say, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

If you are feeling overwhelmed today, I encourage you to take refuge in Jesus.  Let him lead you in how to overcome the mountain of work and problems before you.  Let Him bring you rest and strength to prepare you for the battle of digging yourself out.  Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  In Christ is peace, joy, and contentment.  In Christ is all that you will need to conquer this world and truly live.  Won't you rest in Him, lean upon Him, and trust His ability to help you in any situation today?

Blessings,

Greg