Page 22 - Have Faith Oct_Neat

Day 24 & 25 Even the puddles can sustain life...

Puddles... Luke 1: 79
One of the things that is really hard to do is of the sky. It completely bowled me over. In
see the good in bad. When things go wrong, that moment I truly believed that in this cold,
really wrong, it seems just about impossible wet puddle on the ground God was showing
that things will ever be good again. I, for one, me heaven. Now, you may be saying to your-
have felt that on numerous occasions. But I self that he's lost the plot but the truth is that
do believe that after dark there is always puddle lifted my heart when I was feeling
light. Just recently, I had to go into town to pretty unhappy. I don't look at puddles in the
get a few necessities. The rain was coming same way anymore. One of my favourite
down in bucket loads and I knew I was in for Bible chapters sums this up really nicely for
a soaking. I got to the shop in a totally foul me. It is at 2 Corinthians 4:6. It says "For
mood, got what I needed in a real grump and God, who said, "Light shall shine out of dark-
set off back home. To my delight, when I got ness," is the One who has shone in our
outside, the rain had stopped and the sky hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of
was clearing beautifully. Although I could feel the glory of God in the face of Christ". What
my socks soaking my poor feet, I started to this tells me is, no matter how bad life can
feel a little better. On my way home I saw a get, no matter how low we feel, no matter
huge puddle and a thought came to my what the world throws at us, a time will return
mind. It struck me how everybody avoids when we will be happy again. Oh yes, the
puddles because they are cold and wet and, next time you see a puddle, stop and look at
frankly, a real pain in the feet. But by avoid- it and if you feel the urge, do what Gene
ing them we miss their beauty. I looked into Kelly did in 'Singing in the Rain'. Just make
this puddle and saw an incredible reflection sure nobody is watching!

Pride... Proverbs 11: 2
Here is another one of those minefields that my magazine, my songs and poetry, and
I like walking in so much. Are you an opti- find some comfort or help in the words. I
mist or a pessimist? Arguments are strong have to believe that will happen or there's
for both cases. I love the old saying 'Is the no point in doing it. Having Faith and be-
glass half empty or half full?' What do you lieving in what we do is such an important
think? Personally, I would like to think that part of our makeup, it gives us the drive to
the glass is completely full. 50% water to go on and the strength to succeed in what-
drink and 50% air that we can breathe. But ever we do. Biblical optimism is the result of
that's just me. I read an interesting quote faith in the character of God. The Bible
which says 'The pessimist sees the difficulty refers to this as “hope.” Romans 15:13 says,
in every opportunity while the optimist sees “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and
the opportunity in every difficulty.' That par- peace as you trust in him, so that you may
ticular quote got me thinking for quite a overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
while about my own views. For me, that Spirit.” When we hope in God, we put our
saying said that optimists have faith. The trust in His sovereign plan above what our
more I think about that, the more I believe circumstances tell us. Romans 8:23–35 ex-
it. As a soldier, I think we all have to be op- plains it this way: “But hope that is seen is
timists or how do we justify what we are no hope at all. Who hopes for what they al-
doing without faith and hope that after the ready have? But if we hope for what we do
battle things will be better. We have to be- not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Paul is
lieve that or we wouldn't fight. My fight, speaking of our future reward and the things
these days, is that someone will read the that “God has prepared for those who love
things I write, whether it be my reflections, him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

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