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Some Personal Reflections

I thought to myself, “Blog # 37. That sounds like a magical number. I wonder what Psalm 37 says that is likewise magical? ” And here, in Psalm 37:4 NIV, are these somewhat puzzling words:

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4 NIV

At first reading, it sounds to me like the “prosperity gospel”. It sort of sounds like: “Rejoice in the Lord and you will win Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes.” But that’s not actually what is being said.

Instead, the Scripture is telling us that if, and when, we completely trust God, then we will start wanting for ourselves what He already wants for us. And, serendipitously, we will discover genuine fulfillment. I think that’s magical!

I was reflecting on another passage, 2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV, which states:

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV

Usually our life is all about ourself. Yet, if we can train ourself to forget about ourself, and if we can lose ourself in others for Jesus’ sake, then we will discover the fullness of life. Someone quipped that “The cross is the ‘I’ crossed out.”

On the road to the cross Jesus said,

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25 NIV

It’s a paradox. It’s magical!

We human beings are possessive. We’re grabby. We want to reach out and grab all the gusto. We want to grab hold of the Mystery. But the secret lies not in our grabbing hold of the Mystery but in our simply allowing the Mystery to grab hold of us. That’s magical!

Throughout my pastoral ministry of more than 60 years, I’ve listened to many fellow believers say, “That’s another star in my crown.” They really believe that, whenever they appear before the Lord, they will be wearing a star-studded crown. I think they imagine heaven to be a long fashion show runway, and picture themselves sashaying along, modeling a majestic golden crown glistening with stars.

In the closing book of the Bible, Revelation 4:10 NIV, we read, “They lay their crowns before the throne—–.”  In his beautiful hymn, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,”  Charles Wesley concluded his poem with these words “Changed from glory into glory,/ Till in heaven we take our place,/  Till we cast our crowns before Thee,/  Lost in wonder, love, and praise.”

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Shine Like the Stars

Available for Pre-Order.  Each of us has been given a gift: our life. Someday we must return it to its rightful owner. We are free to use this gift in any way we choose: to glorify God or to glorify ourself. St. Paul used his to glorify God and, in so doing, found the secret of joy. decided to write a devotional commentary on his letter to the fledgling Christian community in Philippi. They too were discovering the secret of genuine joy. I am hoping that the same faith which dazzled them will do the same for you, and that the same joy which filled their hearts will fill yours. Get ready to shine like stars.

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