Daily Thought for Friday, September 23rd

September 23, 2011

The Funnies – A Series

A Look At The Sunday Comics

And How They Might Be Applied To Our Spiritual Lives

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”

1 Corinthians 1:27

“People only see what they are prepared to see.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Comic Five   “Hagar the Horrible” by Chris Browne

Today’s Application:    We Need To Stick to What we Commit To

“If you don't make a total commitment to whatever you're doing, then you start looking to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking. It's tough enough getting that boat to shore with everybody rowing, let alone when a guy stands up and starts putting his life jacket on.” – Lou Holtz

Today’s Thought:

“Those who love a cause are those who love the life which has to be led in order to serve it."  –  Simone Weil

Today’s Quote:

“Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.”  –  Louisa May Alcott

Today’s Question

What do you believe in enough that you would be willing to lay down your life to defend it?

Today’s Bible Verses:            James 1:2-8  & 1 Corinthians 15:58

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’"  –  Erma Bombeck

"’When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.’ - Zen proverb. ‘And sometimes even when the student isn't ready!’ - Zen afterthought. Hagar! I'd like to talk with you … Of course, Brother Olaf! For some time I've been worried about your lifestyle ... So, I want you to give up all drinking, gambling and fighting!! Now, I realize this is a huge decision for you to make ... So, give it careful thought ... and when you're ready, give me your ... No! ... answer.” – from ‘Hagar the Horrible’ by Chris Browne

‘Hagar The Horrible’ is a comic strip about a red-bearded Norwegian Viking named Hagar.  He and his first mate Lucky Eddie along with their crew go off to other kingdoms to pillage and loot.  They often meet with overwhelming circumstances, insurmountable odds and virtually impossible situations but they are never deterred, and they never quit.  Hagar forges on in doing that which he has committed himself to so that he can support his family:  which is comprised of wife Helga, daughter Honi and son Hamlet.  Hagar is a bit of a slob, he is uncouth and often boarders on rude, but one thing that can be said for him is he is committed to what he believes in and to doing what he stands for.

This is where the spiritual application for this comic strip comes into play for us.  Of course we should not aspire to being like Hagar in most regards, but when it comes to his willingness to stay the course and follow through in his objective:  we could take a lesson or two.

As Children of God we need to be committed without reservation to our service and resolve to accomplish His will and do His work.  We should present our bodies as ‘living sacrifices’, which is reasonable according to the Bible.

We should be so committed to Him that we are willing to die for His causes and surrender our lives for His honor.  After all, isn’t that what Jesus did for us?  And are we not supposed to be following His example?

“Sometimes success is due less to ability than zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work body and soul.” -  Charles Buxton

He’s already done His part for us, now it’s our time to do our part for Him – are you willing?

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may I be as committed to you as you are to me regardless of what it requires of me.