An Answer in the Morning

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?  Mark 4:13 ESV

When I as a teenager we used to sing the Andre Crouch song, “Jesus is the Answer” with great abandon and joy. We were super confident that life was now simple and our challenges under control because we had met Jesus and He was our Savior. But now that fifty years have passed, I am discovering that the same Jesus who was the answer for my salvation has also been the Jesus who asks me some very uncomfortable questions, like today’s verse. “How will you understand?”

After five decades my answer is, “I have no idea Lord!” I am often baffled like Philip was when he asked Jesus, “We don’t know where you are going, How can we know the way?” Jesus rarely gives us an easy answer. He doesn’t outline three steps to healing, five keys to church growth or six choices leading to prosperity. Instead He comes each day and asks, “Which one was a neighbor? Will you also go away? Who do you say that I am? or Why are you weeping?”

Why does Jesus do that? My best guess is that when I know the answer, I will not be here any longer to tell you! But one morning when the mist is wiped clear from Heaven’s windows we are promised that will see our Jesus who asks every question and is Himself the answer; our Lord and our most intimate friend. That morning we will know as we are known and there we will see Him face to face!

For my younger readers who likely have no clue as to who Andre Crouch is I am posting a link to a live performance. I was blessed to have the chance to see He along with his sister Sandra and the band in Phoenix in 1972. This YouTube video doesn’t really convey the tremendous energy faith hope (and volume!) that ruled during those live concerts. Have a blessed day all.

Morning Quiet Time

Having a morning walk is one of the things I enjoy the most since retirement. Those 20-30 minutes give me a time to listen and look to see in the ordinary of things around the neighborhood what Jesus has in store for today. Remember that just as he said not to worry about tomorrow because today’s trouble is enough it also follows that enough for the day is the good. This morning the good was seeing this gander out for his walk showing off his lady friends. He wasn’t busy wishing he was a taller bird like a crane, or a better fisherman like the pelican. He was just strutting his stuff completely satisfied with a duck’s life.

I have discovered that those moments at the beginning and end of my days are like bookends. Everything that God has prepared of good and allowed for problems will be kept in place if we begin and end with Him! Have a blessed Sabbath and a praise filled Sunday!

Our Great Comforter

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted Matthew 5:4 NKJV

Frustration, a sense of failure, and helplessness conspired together this morning till tears flowed briefly down my face. Then God reminded me that my walk with Him is always and only by faith. To draw nearer we each must step outside the safety of our own understanding and onto the waters of trusting in Him alone. There comes a peace  knowing that following his footsteps means walking with Him among the billows! There is where I am reminded again that He is the Christ our LifeGreat Comforter!