March 2014 – Paula Davis

Our world is filled with cynicism, busy-ness and ‘me first’ mentality. We are a people quick to judge and quick to become annoyed. How many times do we see someone fall down and we laugh and continue on our way? Or gossip about someone different from us behind their back?

Our “news”casts are filled with sensational stories of people cheating on their spouses and doing outrageous stunts at the expense of others. Stories of kindness and compassion rarely show the sensationalism to make the cut.

As I write this I am convicted of conforming.

I am guilty too often of becoming part of this fast-paced world of “me first”.

How many times does a conversation include mention of a concern or hurt and I choose to skip over it and move forward as to not get drawn into more details? Am I in too big a hurry to get on to my own agenda instead of having compassion on a friend or a stranger?

Do I find amusement when something goes wrong for someone else?
Do I chuckle instead of lending a helping hand?
Not always, but perhaps too often.

Jesus calls us to have compassion for each other:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

This is something He modeled for us throughout His ministry on earth:

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:34

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.
Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:34

Jesus was a busy man. He had people to reach and disciples to teach. But over and over we see Him model for us compassion as he stops to spend time with someone hurting, sad or in need of compassion.

It didn’t cost Him anything but His time, and often the results were eternal!

As we go into this weekend may we follow Jesus’ example of compassion.

I pray that each of us will not be too busy to give our time and lend an ear to someone who needs a touch from someone who cares. Watch for opportunities as you go through your days.

You could be the peace in someone’s puzzle today!

blessings and peace to you!
Paula

Ah, the mountaintop. The view is breathtaking, it seems we can see forever and we often feel so close to God. Whether it’s a physical mountaintop, relational or spiritual the mountaintop brings a high that leaves memories that linger.

Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai to meet with God and receive the Ten Commandments. (see Exodus 19)

Elijah went to Mt. Horeb where God spoke to him on the mountaintop. (see 1 Kings 19)

Even Jesus went to the mountaintop: He allowed satan to take Him to the mountaintop to be tested and Jesus was transfigured on a mountaintop where He went with His disciples. (Matthew 4)

So often we search for the mountaintops in our lives an yearn for those times of exceptional experiences to mark moments to remember.

But are we missing something in our quest for the mountaintop?

As I was spending time with the Lord the other day and wishing for a mountaintop experience to snap me out of the winter doldrums and inspire me in areas of my life God showed me something completely different. While I was looking for the top of the mountain and wishing for what was up ahead I was missing the precious times I can have with Him along the way.

Searching the scriptures I found the example Jesus gave us when He met with God during His time on earth.

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23a

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives. Luke 21:37

While Jesus had mountaintop experiences during His time on earth He didn’t need a mountaintop experience each day.

When Jesus needed to get away and meet with God He went to the mountainside – not all the way to the top. He separated Himself from the everyday routine and went to a place where He could be alone with His Father and recharge.

Where do you go to meet with God and recharge? Do you have a place – and a time each day where you separate yourself from the world around you and focus on what God has for you that day?

If not, I encourage you to find that time. No matter how busy your schedule you can carve out a few minutes if you make it important. It may mean getting up 10-15 minutes early or turning off the tv for a while.

While you don’t need to dedicate hours each day to study and prayer, a few minutes is vital to your walk with God. It is in those minutes where He can refocus you, encourage you, even redirect you along the path.

And it is here where He brings peace to the puzzle of your life!

Where and when do you meet with God each day?

blessings & peace to you…
Paula

Month: March 2014

What Happened To Compassion?

Missing The Mountain For The Mountaintop?