Abounding in Adaptation!

"Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and how to abound; everwhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."                                      Phil 4:11-13

To be content in whatever state I am! It is really something that the Lord teaches us. I pray that I may learn it, as Paul had. He learned these things by God's grace and strength, repeatedly putting obedience into action, no doubt.

We have been seeing so many show shoe hare tracks on Mom's lawn this winter, though we do not see the hare. By God's plan, the long, brown rabbit turns snowy white so that he can "abound" throughout the Winter, with less possibility of being caught by the local fox or coyote.

I am reminded of the chameleons that we had as "pets" throughout my childhood. They were not your typical pet, but we did take them out and hold and pat them regularly. They were very loved reptiles! My Dad was not fond of dog and cat hair (though he did suffer our black cat, Angus). Chameleons did not smell bad & I never really thought of what a strange companion mine was until many years later! During Bible study last night my friend, Sarah, and I were sharing the importance of being able to change course in the midst of a day in which we had "planned" out our way. It is good to have a plan, but just how well do we handle it when the Lord takes us by the shoulders and turns us in another direction? The study is from Proverbs 31. This woman of excellence and virtue, no doubt, handled "going God's way" very well. In reading the text, she had obviously become a master of adaptability.  Our chameleons' color could be a bright green while lying on the green grass or a smooth leaf bed, then turn almost immediately tan or brown as they move to a branch. God had made them in such a wonderful way --"fearfully and wonderfully made", that they could get through life successfully, without being devoured by the enemy (of course, we know that this is an imperfect analogy, some of them just need to be food!)

This morning I read the verse, "God gave them their heart's desire, but sent leanness into their soul." An unwillingness to go God's way (repeatedly) brings "lack" to the life. To only want "my way"; to pull free of God's gentle nudge to turn about, is to bring lack of full fellowship with this perfect Father. Sometimes He will give us our request, but send leanness into our soul. What a sad way to continue through the Christian life. It truly opens us up to being devoured by the Enemy.

Syd and I looked out our back window a few weeks ago, to see a beautiful ermine crawling along the floor of our porch. His stark, white body was so striking against the brown floor! Imagine if he had refused to change color this year --if he had gone against nature and stayed his brown little weasel-self. For one thing he would not have survived out there in the white, winter world. Because he was in God's will he showed God's glory. It's another way of looking at it, but while this little ermine was out of his element (against the brown floor) he really showed up. He was white, in God' will, and the Lord protected him until he could get back to the shelter of the ground-floor again.

As I step out the door, there are those little snow shoe hare tracks, crossing our driveway. One day I hope to spy him and remember again God's provision of abounding through adaptation. The lessons in nature are truly endless. I am thankful to live in a place where these are all around us. I hope that you are safe in the snowstorm (or whatever storm you may be experiencing at this time). Please visit Darling Hill again soon. Take care and have a wonderful day.

Giving Drink to my First Love

"Give me to drink...If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give  me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."                 John 4:7,10

Recently we have been going through the book of Revelation in our morning messages at church. In the letter to the church at Ephesus, the Lord used John to write, "..Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee; because thou has left thy first love." (2:4).

Many years ago I heard a message which stood out in my mind. It was about my "first Love". The preacher (I am not sure of his name now) claimed that the Christian's first love is Jesus Christ himself. Through all these years I have 'known' (in my own heart) that the person of Jesus Christ is who it must mean when Revelation 2:4 speaks of this. It may not be all that "first love" is, but when the Word says that "...when Christ, Who is our LIFE, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." it reminds me that He is my very life. It is HE whom I received when I received new life. He alone is my "first love". It may mean other things than this, as many commentators and holy men of God ascertain, but to me it is Jesus Christ Himself.

Thinking on these truths this morning and having read the quote, "give me to drink", I am asking myself; How much joy have I been giving to my Lord Jesus Christ this week, this month, this year? Are the things in my life bringing joy and cheer to His heart? Have I shown Him kindness in "giving Him to drink"? today? yesterday? How full of extravagant love are my actions toward Him? any fuller than they were when I was newly related to Him?  Does He find me recalling the time when I did not care for anything but Him? I am praying this morning that in the areas where I see that I have "left Jesus Christ off" or out, I will repent and do the first works.  This needs to be done right now, momentarily, every time I see that I have "left" Him.

All God wants is our HEART; an honest and true heart that keeps short accounts with Him, our FIRST LOVE.

I pray that if you know the Lord and have left Him off in any area, that this will be a help to you spiritually. I know these musings have been good reminders to me today. Thank you so much for stopping by the Hill this morning! Have a blessed day.