The Sunrise of my Life

Matthew 6

Just recently my finacial situation had me in fierce, angry tears. I was worrying about college, the rest of my high school career, and my freedom (which could have a farely hefty sum). But, at this very moment I am at peace. I'm at peace with everything, and it all has to do with Jesus. Our computer is in front of a window, and if you sit there at around 6:30 to around 7am there is the most BEAUTIFUL sunrise. God's creation at it's finest...a vast open air of colors and unlimited possibilites, because with this sunrise comes a new day. And, I know...for sure, that this sunrise is for me, because I know that a new day is meant for me.

In Mattew 6 God talks about fasting, the treasures in heaven, giving to the needy; but he also lays out something very special. To me, it sounds like a command, or some sort of law...he says. "don't worry". It sounds so incredibly easy...but how many people follow it. It's clear to me that people aren't praying, and why optimism is at an all time low....because, we aren't following his command. He said DON'T WORRY! He said it, he meant it.

Find the sunrise of your life, find your brand new day...and when you have it, don't destroy it by hanging on to depression and hoplessness.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will weat. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Soloman in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' of 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough touble of its own."

The Jungle

"The spiritual life cannot be made suburban. It is always frontier, and we who live in it must accept and even rejoice in that it remains untamed."-Howard Macey

I'm reading a book by John Eldredge, Wild at Heart, it's all about a man's untamed heart and soul. Your "spiritual adventure" has to be an adventure. The phrase "spiritual walk", must have been coined from old men, playing it safe, in life, and in spirit. If it's a walk, then you control more......but your "spiritual adventure" should always be left out of your hands. Your time with the lord should always be beautifully scary, not knowing what's next, or what's going to befall you. That's where the ever so strong words, faith and trust, come into play.

I, personally, picture a man running through the jungle, not having to look where he's going, trusting God. FALSE. Running aimlessly through the jungle of life is ridiculous and stupid! I am pretty sure there is a trap somewhere for people like this, one in the form of a hole in the ground. God will keep you well prepared, but it's work. At the beginning of the journey, he hands you a map, a machete, and canteen full of water. Then YOUR journey begins, your own....singly. It's sounds terrifying. But, I know from personal experience, that every time it gets too tough, every time the heat is overwhelming, the sweat's blinding your eyes, and you feel you just can't go on...he's there. Your father, is standing right there beside you, with his North Face backpack and sandals on....encouraging, begging you to move forward.

"He loves us, oh how, he loves us!!"

and I love him.

I'm making my trek through the jungle at this very moment....and it's very senic!

Life. The vast frontier. It's abstract, yet it's totally physical. Life is the only thing left to conquer. The only thing left to capture, and flag, is the hopelessly tall entity that is your future. But, how do we obtain it?

I have a friend, Sheri Elizabeth Eubanks, who has an utter hate for birds, every variety. My original assumption was that she thought they were diseased, disgusting. However, I soon found out that I had mistaken jealousy for disgust. They could fly. Sheri could not. Their ability to be lifted up and out of their situation, so very easily, angered her. Why did God give some animals this capability, but not Sheri Eubanks, not Micah Winter?
The answer is simple, life is a struggle. God, in his infinite wisdom, gave us larger brains, and emotions....or as I like to call it, a soul. He lets us feel the pain, he lets us feel the love, he lets us feel the compassion. And though I, very often, think to myself, "Please, please let it stop!" I know that I am meant to persevere, I am meant to become stronger on the other side.
Life's a beast that you must tackle, with tears and heartache. If only just to make it to the other side and continue up hill.

Birds may take off the ground at any given moment, leaving everything behind. Nothing then matters. I bet you are wondering how this could be encouraging. Well, have you ever seen a happy bird? Honestly, the people you usually compare birds to are rude, ugly, or both. Leaving your problems behind isn't a solution, and it won't make you happy. Happiness is the Lord's gift to us....but it can't be obtained with out hard work, and labor.

So, conquer your life, by perseverance. Endure through your pain, to become happy. Smile, and conquer your life.