God’s Mysterious Ways

Our Friend Is Jesus

We may be tempted to break with the call of our friend Jesus, as the Bible verse explains. But we are commanded to follow God’s directions. Because we are sinners in thought, word, and deed, reviewing the given commands is helpful. How many times do we lapse from our daily Bible readings and devotions? How many times do we forget who our real friends are? The church community should be the source of encouragement. However, do we contribute to it or lead people away from it? I can only speak for myself and think about how badly I have failed at different times — from my youth to my senior years. How wonderful it is to know that our Lord knows us and has a plan for us that we may never have envisioned.

Our Anchor

Anyone who has been around a boat knows that the anchor is a very important piece of equipment. Without an anchor, a boat, even though it is stopped, can be lost by floating away in any direction with very little current or a bit of wind. However, once the anchor is set, the boat will stay put and stable. Having an anchor for one’s soul is a beautiful promise. It gives us confidence and stability in uncertain situations. God’s gift of salvation anchors us to Jesus. We do not need to worry about being lost. Through all of life’s earthly storms, our hope remains firmly fixed with Him in heaven.

Soaring Seniors

We do not have any eagles in our neighborhood, but we do have hawks. I enjoy watching them soar. I have also noticed something: They seldom flap their wings. Hawks, like eagles, have learned that the secret to soaring is to let the air current take them higher. I believe there is a lesson here. Human nature tells us to work harder. As a result, we spend a lot of time flapping our wings. As disciples of Jesus, I believe we should allow God’s grace, rather than our effort, to carry us to greater heights. That is good news for those of us in our golden years. Even if we need to catch our breath after bending over to tie our shoes, we can still soar. We might even become mentors to those younger folks who are stumbling through life.

God’s Mysterious Ways

Born into a military family, I planned to attend the Air Force Academy and then to serve my country. In high school, I did well. However, I injured my knee. I then realized that I would not pass the Academy’s physical exam. I enrolled in a college with a military officers training program. While there, I had knee surgery. After graduating, I volunteered for the Army but failed my physical. Apparently, God had a different plan for me. My father suggested I consider jobs with computers. An electronics company that hired me sold products to the federal government. I was finally serving my country. I later retired from a fulfilling career. When we face obstacles, the words of Jesus can inspire us to be hopeful. As the Lord says in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you.”

Fragrance of Hope

Holidays hold special memories of my childhood. Memorial Day ranks high on my list. It always included parades, picnics, and the beginning of summer fun. For my family it also meant a day to visit the cemetery, remembering “that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13b). In Wisconsin, lilacs are one of the first early flowers to bloom in spring. It’s pure joy to stop and smell the fragrant blossoms. We gathered big bouquets and placed them in containers on the graves of our loved ones. It’s a common practice to celebrate life and death events with flowers. We can rejoice with those who have gone before us! Because of their faith and hope in our risen Savior, they are at peace in heaven, “what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9b).