1/22/10
1/19/10
THE LOST HORSE
THE LOST HORSE is an old Chinese folk story that explains the meaning of a blessing in disguise. It is the tale of a wise old horse breeder who can see the silver lining in a dark cloud, and who recognizes the hazards that can lurk behind a stroke of seeming good fortune.
In a nutshell, one of the old man's horses runs away one day. When the neighbors commiserate with him over his misfortune, he asks them, "How do you know this is not really good luck?" A few days later the horse returns, bringing another horse with it. When his neighbors congratulate him on his good luck, he says, "How do you know this is really good luck?" Sure enough, some while later the old man's son falls while riding the horse and breaks his leg. This turns out to be a strke of good fortune when all the young men of the village are ordered to join the Emperor's army, but the old man's son doesn't have to go since he has a broken leg.
Moral of the story: Things are comparitive; the good comes with the bad. You should not lose your will to continue if an unlucky event happens, nor should you be too overjoyed or feel too self-satisfied because of a lucky event, or because something that you desire comes very easily to you.
This parable came to mind this week as I butted my head against what seemed like a brick wall. Circumstances that had at first seemed positive had turned negative, and I was powerless to do anything about it. All that butting just gave me a very big headache.
Now I do not believe in fate or luck, but in a God who is in total control, and from whose hands all blessings flow. I know in my heart that even when my senses scream at me that everything going on in my life appears to be contradicting His promises, and my prayers are going unheard, it's because I tend to focus on one small piece of the puzzle instead of being patient and trusting Him to work things out according to His perfect timing and plan. I tend to forget that, unlike me, He sees the whole picture, and is working things out for my ultimate good and for His glory (Romans 8:28).
So once again, I lay my burdens at the foot of the Cross and put my trust in Him who gave His life for me (and for you too) so that we could be reconciled with the Father and enjoy eternal life.
In a nutshell, one of the old man's horses runs away one day. When the neighbors commiserate with him over his misfortune, he asks them, "How do you know this is not really good luck?" A few days later the horse returns, bringing another horse with it. When his neighbors congratulate him on his good luck, he says, "How do you know this is really good luck?" Sure enough, some while later the old man's son falls while riding the horse and breaks his leg. This turns out to be a strke of good fortune when all the young men of the village are ordered to join the Emperor's army, but the old man's son doesn't have to go since he has a broken leg.
Moral of the story: Things are comparitive; the good comes with the bad. You should not lose your will to continue if an unlucky event happens, nor should you be too overjoyed or feel too self-satisfied because of a lucky event, or because something that you desire comes very easily to you.
This parable came to mind this week as I butted my head against what seemed like a brick wall. Circumstances that had at first seemed positive had turned negative, and I was powerless to do anything about it. All that butting just gave me a very big headache.
Now I do not believe in fate or luck, but in a God who is in total control, and from whose hands all blessings flow. I know in my heart that even when my senses scream at me that everything going on in my life appears to be contradicting His promises, and my prayers are going unheard, it's because I tend to focus on one small piece of the puzzle instead of being patient and trusting Him to work things out according to His perfect timing and plan. I tend to forget that, unlike me, He sees the whole picture, and is working things out for my ultimate good and for His glory (Romans 8:28).
So once again, I lay my burdens at the foot of the Cross and put my trust in Him who gave His life for me (and for you too) so that we could be reconciled with the Father and enjoy eternal life.
1/15/10
A TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA
I came across this photo while looking for something to post on Facebook for Way Back Week, and no, it's not the one that got picked, but it did create a nostalgic moment.
Could anyone have imagined--even in their wildest dreams--that the path would lead from there to here?
1/5/10
A CALL TO ANGUISH
Feeling convicted by this video clip I saw on the blog of a 15-year-old, and thinking what a great testimony that even in today's world there are young people out there who are not ashamed to be sold out for Jesus and who have the boldness and courage to follow the narrow path instead of trying to fit in with the crowd.
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