Thought for Friday, January 13th

January 13, 2012

Remain Flexible

   Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:  But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isaiah 1:17-20

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.  I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

John 4:34-38

Quote of the Day

“The ideal man bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances.”

-          Aristotle

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Plans are good to have: but how often do we find that our plans and reality sometimes do not coincide?  More often than not we have to make changes, on the fly, so to speak, to accommodate the unexpected occurrences that sneak into our otherwise ordered and structured plans.  This is also true and applicable to our spiritual lives as well.

There is nothing wrong with saying I will do this; or I will do that: but in so doing may we not be remiss to include – if the Lord is willing.

Jesus is never quoted as saying, ‘Blessed are the flexible – for they shall accomplish the work of my Father’s Kingdom.’  But the idea is implied in much of His teachings. 

There is no sin in having a plan of action; as long as our plan of action leaves room for the God’s alterations.

We need to be lead by Spirit, walking in the Spirit and trusting in the Spirit to nudge, and even change our direction and often alter our course if that is what is necessary to accomplish God’s will in our lives and or His will for the lives of those around us.

Be prepared always, but be flexible enough to allow God to change what He wants to.  If you do, you will never be disappointed in the outcome.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are amazing, glorious and worthy of greater praise than my mind can contrive to give.  Mold me and make me and keep me pliable and flexible always willing to follow your Spirit’s leading and always willing to allow you to adjust and alter what I am doing so that it will be what you want done.

“Things change rapidly, and life gets better in an instant.”

-          John Stewart

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns