IT'S OK, TWO WHEELS ARE ON DRY GROUND

This morning there was the first, of the season, visible, measurable, sprinkling of snow on the ground.  With a steaming cup of coffee and nowhere to go, it really was a beautiful scene; just don’t expect me to drive in it unless there is a real emergency.  My friends and family are well aware of my aversion to driving or traveling on icy, snow-covered roads.  Living in the north, all my life, I have experienced my share of skids, spin-outs, slide offs and accidents due to badly plowed roads and in-a-hurry drivers.  I know I make my sweet husband crazy by my constant reminders of “be careful,” “aren’t you going a little too fast,” “it looks slick up there,” etc.  He has learned how to pretty much just “tune out” everything he doesn’t want to hear but sometimes his exasperation at me explodes.  Several years ago, we were traveling to the northern Michigan town of Gaylord to attend a church fellowship meeting.  It was winter, snowy and the highway was not plowed to my satisfaction.  My never ending warnings and muttering, “Jesus” under my breath finally got on his last nerve; probably because he was trying to concentrate on not going in the ditch.  Without taking his eyes off the road (thank God) he very loudly said words in which I have often found great comfort and have never forgotten. “SUSAN,” he said, “It’s ok, two wheels are on dry pavement.”

Our life is made up of interlocking seasons that sometimes morph into the next before we are prepared for the change.  One morning you wake up and notice a chill in the air, the vibrant green areas are frosted with snow and the trees are bare of fruit and leaves; winter has arrived.  Winter is not one of the seasons of life for which we yearn. It is a season of dormancy, in which we see little or no growth in our relationship with God.  It is a time of leanness and barrenness in our soul as we watch the greenness dry and wither.  It seems that when you try to keep pushing ahead on the path, you hit a slick spot and sometimes even spin-out and slide off into the ditch.  The temptation is to grab a hot cup of coffee and hunker down in safety until spring, but God has some good things planned, even for winter.  In Job 38:22 God asks Job, “Have you entered into the treasures of the snow?”  The snow falls in nature and in our life for a purpose and God provides “treasure in the snow.”

If you are in a season of winter, stand still when you must but when God says let’s go, move forward with the assurance, “it’s ok, two wheels are on dry pavement.”  God has never had a spin-out or slid off into the ditch.  He has 20/20 vision, even during blizzard conditions and a “white-out.”  He is a “SURE FOUNDATION,” a “STRONG TOWER,” and He is “ORDERING YOUR STEPS.”  When the icy winds blow, the snow piles high and your vision is limited, allow that “still small voice” to whisper words of peace, “it’s ok, two wheels are on dry pavement.”

HOW DO YOU SMELL?

Of course I love nice smelling things; I’m a woman!  We love the soft, velvety smell of a freshly bathed baby, the deep sexy scent of expensive perfume, a bouquet of flowers, citrusy-scented hand soaps and lotions, spicy candles and a just-showered husband.  After painting our master bathroom a beautiful Caribbean aqua, the hunt for accessories began.  Included in my cart of purchases was a beautiful, plug-in, wax-melter and vanilla wax cubes.  I couldn’t wait, of course, and soon my bathroom smelled so sweet.  It didn’t end there, the fragrance spread to the master bedroom and wafted down the stairway to the living room.  My home was filled with the smell of crushed vanilla bean.

Did you know that you are a diffuser of the fragrance of His knowledge; the fragrance of Christ among those who are perishing and being saved?   Oh yes you are!!!  I have never thought of myself as a sweet smelling representative of the aroma of God and I doubt if you have either, but look at the following verses.   2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 

 The fragrance you leave after meeting with unbelievers just may form their view of God.  Do you fill the room with the sweet odors of love and forgiveness or do the musty smells of superiority and condemnation linger as you exit the room?  Is it the promise of joy and peace that draws them to God or does the stale air of defeat and fear continue to overpower the atmosphere?  Does your aroma smell of hope or carry the stench of despair?   As Believers, there should be a lovely fragrance trailing us, as we walk through the room.  The refreshing aroma of hope and love should not only fill the room we are in, but waft through the whole house and leave a lingering, pleasant scent long after we are gone.

I raised 2 boys, so I know about sports-smells, outdoor-smells, clean showered-smells and pre-date aftershave smells; quick underarm whiffs and "cupping your hand around your mouth and nose, fresh-breath" sniffs.  Maybe it is time the Followers of Christ take a quick sniff to catch a whiff of our personal aroma.  Check yourself!!!   If there is no sweet smelling savor; if your space is beginning to smell a little dank and stale, it is time for a bath!  Soak awhile in His presence; allow the Holy Spirit to baptize you afresh and infuse you with His fragrance so that you can diffuse the fragrance of Christ among those being saved and those who are perishing.

A COMRADE HAS FALLEN

This blog was written and posted at the beginning of 2013.  As I reread and prepare to repost it, I am saddened by thoughts of those who have fallen since the original posting.  We are in a fight for souls and we cannot passively sit by or we will lose ground. The Church is not just DEFENDING territory we are marching forth to CONQUER and POSSESS territory.  THIS IS WAR!!!

Our country has been fighting the war against terror on foreign soil for over 10 years.  During that time we have sustained many casualties. Men and women have come home wounded and some have lost their life, defending our desire to live in a land free from terrorist attacks.  When a comrade has fallen, our elite military forces live by the motto, “Leave No Man Behind!”   The unit will do everything possible to rescue the injured or recover the body of their fellow soldier.  As one of these brave men stated, “American soldiers do not abandon their dead and wounded on the battlefield.”

WHAT ABOUT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE LORD’S ARMY?  I enlisted in this army 47 years ago.  During that time I have been involved in many battles.  Every battle has not been successful but as I look back at the territory we’ve gained, I can say we are WINNING THE WAR!!!  I ask the next question with sadness and tears falling down my face, “What about our comrades that have fallen?”  So many have fallen, been wounded and left to die on the battlefield.  What have I done?  Have I watched them fall as I fought on; mourned their passing as I nursed my own wounds?  Have I callously just called them a “casualty of war,” judging that they should have been stronger, better equipped, or fought just a little harder?  How many could have been saved if I had risked all, in the heat of the battle, to reach down, take them by the hand and pull that brother or sister back to safety?  I think of the many times in my life, when a fellow soldier has wrapped their arms around me, given me a shoulder to lean on or an encouraging word in the middle of my heaviest battle; can I do any less?

We are led by a General who shed His precious blood; gave His life, that we might win the war. The Church must be brave, we must fight valiantly, but we cannot leave our own on the enemy’s battlefield.   There are brothers and sisters who have fallen, some have grown weary in the battle, others are wounded and dying; will you; will I risk my own comfort, position, even reputation to bring them home?   Our motto must be, “God’s soldiers do not abandon their dead and wounded on the battlefield.”