March 11, 2009

Read Psalm 72

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.—Psalm 72:6

For all of the metaphors that represent one’s life, the above strikes me as a beautifully fresh and timely parallel to the stage of life that I find myself. I’ve lived through the Spring season of my blessed time influencing people in many ways but much of that influence was focused on seemingly mundane subject matter. I spent many a moment to convince people to listen to certain music or do their work in a particularly efficient manner. Told others how they should dress or how to approach a sporting activity tactically. Explained endlessly the pros of purchasing a certain brand of automobile or...so on and so forth. Amidst all these interactions with people they always seem to be important at the time. But now as I have matured and grown to a significant potential, I have been given a new perspective and I have realized that God’s word takes precedence over all of those mundane things. Now it is my time to share his strength with those people who value my opinion. It is more important now than ever before because in helping others to grow in his word, I am continuing to grow.

Pray: Dear God: Open my heart to the influence of God’s strength. Help me to take the time to share my understanding of Your word with those around me as it will only make me stronger. Amen

Stephen Barr was brought up in the Methodist church in urban Des Moines, Iowa where his family drove in from the suburbs every Sunday to worship at the building his Grandparents help build. Life truly is cyclical as he now drives his family into the city to worship at a new church that they became involved with near the very beginning of its conception.