Laced With Grace

As I wandered through the woods this morning, I got caught up in a woodland chorus.

An amphitheater made of oak, maple, birch, poplar, ash and evergreen pine and painted in glowing hues of gold, red, orange, brown, russet and green by the Master Craftsman. The participants perched upon their bough.

Each bird species has it’s own unique part that no other in the woodland chorus can sing. Simply it chirps its repetitive song. It does not try to sing another bird’s song, it only sings the songs God created it to sing.

It lives a life of contentment.  Content to be an ordinary bird singing it’s God-given song.

A variety of birds, each singing its part in the woodland chorus from their tree top perches.  Worship in surround sound.

What’s your song?  What has He created You to sing to the world?

Have you ever found yourself discontent with your voice in the symphony of life?  Do you find yourself wishing you could “sing” better or perhaps a different song?

Listen to the Lord’s response to your discontent.

 I love to hear you sing your praises and your sounds of joy. I am your song, and when you sing, all of creation hums in harmony. Your voice is the instrument I use to stir human souls, but it is your heart that reaches My ear. 

 There is music in great sounds of joy and jubilation! There is music in the crashing waters, in the sound of wind in the trees. But there is no music as delightful to My ear as the sound of My children; because it is your heart that I most want to hear. It makes My heart glad to hear you because your sounds are pure and true.

 My Holy Spirit springs from your spirit in the form of music, and the sounds you make are holy. They refresh and renew your soul; they bless My heart. 

 Sing to me a new song. Even in diversity, sing to Me. Even in Trials and what you think is your darkest hour, sing to Me. Sing to Me, for I am your Beloved; sing to Me a tender, loving song. I am your song.

“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praise to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalm 33:1-3

Lord, forgive me! Oft times I attempt to sing songs that are not meant for me to sing.  Thank You for giving me a song to sing in eternity’s symphony.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)

” To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

           A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;    a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;    a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;   a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;    a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;   a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace”

Our front porch with the "love-birds" Fred and Louise.

Autumn is my favorite of the four seasons.    At the beginning of autumn we still have the bright colorful flowers of summer along with the bursts of sunflower yellow, burnt orange and burgundy colored mums.  As the season continues I love to see how each day the leaves on the trees turn from bright green to orange, yellow and red.  Our rural mountain community looks like a beautiful oil painting by Thomas Kinkade.  Communities begin hosting Harvest Festivals and Oktoberfest’s with hayrides, candy apples, pumpkin carving contests, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked pumpkin pies and hot apple cider fills the air. 

Autumn is also a time when I ponder upon the above passages in Ecclesiastes.  There is so much wisdom in those eight verses.  I reflect upon these verses in reference to my own life. 

• Do I “die” to my fleshly desires so I may “live” in Christ anew each day?
• Do I plant seeds of the fruit of the Spirit so others may reap the harvest? 
• Do my actions tear down the work of the Lord or do I build up others with words of kindness?
• Do I help bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted?
• Do I weep when I see poverty, abuse, starvation and hopelessness in my own community?
• Do I mourn for the lost souls who need the Lord as their Savior?
• Do I find time to bring laughter in my life and rejoice in the joy of Lord?
• Do I dance with joy when a lost soul receives Christ as their Savior?
• Do I embrace the life the Lord has given me?
• Do I purge the things in my life that hinder my witness for Christ?
• Do I know when to “let go” and “let God” take over?
• Do I speak up for the “right” things and for those who cannot speak for themselves?
• Do I keep my mouth shut when I really want to lash out and hurt others as they have hurt me?
• Do I have a Christ-like love for others?
• Do I truly hate “sin” or do I tolerate “sin”? 
• Do I have a conscious awareness that there is Spiritual Warfare going on trying to keep me from living for Christ?
• Do I seek a life in peace with others as well as share the Peace that passes all understanding? 

Dear Heavenly Father, as I enjoy my favorite time of the year, I ask that you examine my heart and bring to my mind the things I need to confess so that I can be a better witness for you each day of my life.  Lord, remind me that to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.  In Jesus precious name, amen. 

Lately, a number of celebrities have been imploding in the public eye. Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan quickly jump to mind. These two and many others like them, have it all by the world’s standards – fame, money, looks, and lots of stuff. So why are they so unhappy? Why are they falling apart in the midst of “success?”

The world tells us that we can find joy and fulfillment in popularity, money, jobs, and human relationships. But we acquire these things and the joy and fulfillment they bring are only temporary at best. Then we need more – more money, a better job, a new relationship. “If I only had this… if only I could achieve that… if only that person would love me, then I would be happy.”

Even Christians fall into looking for joy the way the world does. I’ve done it. I still do it. From little things like binging on chocolate during a stressful day or buying a new outfit I don’t need to bigger things like brooding about my husband’s “imperfections” or allowing one of life’s trials to overwhelm me.

The world searches for fulfillment, contentment, and happiness in things that are fleeting and imperfect. These things can never bring lasting joy. Real eternal joy comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. As we abide in Christ – as we stay closely connected to Him in a daily dependent relationship – His joy flows into us. (See John 15:5-11.)

I have to remind myself constantly to not be swayed by the world’s form of joy. I must cling to Christ. Stay connected to the vine that supplies the essential spiritual sap. Spend time with Him daily.

What is your “if only?” What is that thing that tempts you to look for joy somewhere other than the true joy-giver?