Any silly notion of government of, by and for the people, much like Elvis, has left the building. But writing the letters did leave me with (1) a warm feeling, and, (2) an opportunity to crash into the brick wall that is reality. It was my right to write my legislators, but it was a complete waste of time.
God does not call the equipped, but rather equips those He’s called. As a very flawed minister and counselor, God has gifted me with a desire to occasionally look into my Bible/mirror and see where I went wrong. The desire took me today into my Bible/mirror to read and meditate on the fantastic Scriptural table set in the middle of the book of Luke. Luke records dozens of red-letter Jesus quotes as disciples and crowds form, Pharisees are shrewdly undone, and the wisdom of the Greatest Rabbi was poured out to thousands.
Luke 12:22-26 (NLT) 22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
I relate so well to Zacchaeus, because we are both so flawed, yet both desire to see Jesus and be a witness to His perfect walk. As we examine the story of Zacchaeus, it really is exciting to see how Jesus takes him as he was, calls him by name, and equips him to use his gifts for God’s kingdom. Jesus gave him an instantaneous heart-change. Zacchaeus only had to bring a willing heart and Christ used him to help tremendous number of people. The calling of Zacchaeus is a compelling passage.
Luke 19:1-10 (NLT) 1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Today, I can do absolutely nothing about Obamacare, TPP or the Rainbow White House. I’m very far from wealthy; still God has given me tremendous resources. The resources of education, musical skills, motivation to write, time and a desire to minister to people and make a difference are bountiful in my life. This whirlwind week has helped me gain perspective on what I actually have, and what I can really do. Perhaps being given the wisdom of knowing what you can and can’t change, is my treasure that was given to me, as Zacchaeus appropriated his wealth. God is looking forward to what I can do, and He is directing my attention away from the past and things that I can do nothing about.
Let’s close this article with two graphics. One is the entire Serenity Prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1940’s and accompanied our WWII soldiers in the introductory leafs of their government issued New Testaments. The other is the famous story of the boy saving the starfish as he walked along the beach. I know that I can’t help all of the millions who need help. But there is a starfish staring me in the face. It is the one that Jesus directed my attention to, and convicted my heart to help.
“Today, I can do absolutely nothing about Obamacare, TPP or the Rainbow White House.”
Why would you want to? Those things save starfish.
Be well.
Hi Zeke,
If you had read the article, you would know the ACA concern was that the California exchange is short 2/3 of funds due to lack of participation. It’s the left that got the worst end of TPP; corporations won astronomically big. Heather Barwick, the daughter of Heather’s Got Two Mommies, published an open letter saying the lesbian arrangement that raised her hurt her; they denied her a father,
Read the article next time. No starfish got saved by ACA, TPP, or “gay marriage”
This post is exactly what I needed to quell my outrage at the two unconstitutional rulings made by the socialist Supreme Court. The U.S., led by satan’s spawn in the White House and his control over the Supreme Court and his faithful sheep in the ever-more communistic democrat party, will never be the same. The whole travesty has consumed me for far too long. The country have fallen off not only a financial cliff, but a moral one. God help us in the remaining time we the people have on this earth.
My flesh leads down the path of anger just about every time I watch the news. Thank the Lord I have the Good News! Thanks for the comment and encouragement.
What a messed up site this is. Try going to church or a synagogue to give out the real truth. God will judge you one day. Enjoy the pitfires of Hell!!!!
The standard hate-posting by the LGBT crazies. Thanks for leaving the evidence.