Pioneers of Our Decade

       My hubby had been watching an interesting show and called me in to see it.  Someone made a ‘reality’ television show about modern families living like the pioneers did.  One of the families had three children.  They had great wealth and lived in a large, beautiful home overlooking a scenic landscape, yet had come to live in a small wooden house with no amenities or modern comforts for a considerable length of time.  In order to survive, the whole family had to work very hard from early morning to evening.  One child had a birthday while there, and was given a handmade, rustic toy, one of few the children had to play with.

       At the end of the experience, the family was filmed in their own home after they were fully involved in their old lives to see how they were doing and what they had learned from their adventure.  The three children were in their hot tub on the deck of their sleek, modern home and were speaking with fondness of the experiences they had.  In short, they were saying that though they had everything they wanted in this life, it was less fulfilling to them than the time they spent as pioneers.  As well, they had learned that there was more value in the toys they had as pioneers because they had so few, than in their normal lives where they have much.  They also felt less valuable or needed than as pioneers.

 

       Those are the only things I remember about the show other than how difficult their lives were as pioneers.  It made me feel sad for the children of today who are inundated with toys and recreation, but do not have confidence built upon successful and fruitful labour and feel like they hold no value in society.  Is it any wonder they feel lost and wander aimlessly through their days?

       Sure kids can gain some confidence by playing on sports teams or acting in plays, but will this really make them feel valuable and needed in society?  A parent can say many things to a child, but the child believes what he sees in himself and in his relation to the world.  There are many Scriptures pertaining to children; here are a few.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD… Ps. 127:3

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Pr. 22:6

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2Tm. 3:16,17

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.  Pr. 13:24 NIV

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.   Gen. 18:19

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  Dt. 6:7 NKJV

       The last two verses speak into the time it takes in genuine parenting.  We forget this in today’s society where parents are busy working and driving kids who are busy with sports, organizations and activities.  By teenage years, most families don’t even eat supper together.  But God knew that Abraham would spend enough time with his kids to raise them godly and teach them to do right.  God also told the Jews in Moses day to learn the law so they could teach and talk about them to their children throughout the day: sitting, walking (all activities), first thing in the morning and last thing at night (all day).

       I’m wondering if we need to go back to the pioneer days, back to when families lived and worked together all day.  Obviously that’s not possible, but we should try to find a way to do a better job at raising our kids godly in a godless world.  The proof of our efforts should be seen: in their confidence to serve God’s purpose in their lives and make a stand for righteousness in these dark times.  Perhaps with our help, they can be God’s pioneers of today.

Decay

       There are a few things in life that really bother me.  One of those is when I spend hard-earned money on a necessary item, and it begins to rust or decay sooner than it should.  A few years ago I bought an old fashioned looking bike to get me around when I wasn’t in a hurry.  By the end of the year, it already had rust on the chrome parts.  By the next year, you could see bubbling under the paint job of the frame which is a sign of rust.  How can that be given it was only a year old?  Well, “They just don’t make things the way they used to.”

       Honestly, I get tired of living in a life where prices continue to go up while wages get cut, food and other prices increase though sizes go down, and greed seems to be acceptable and even admired!  After all, greed causes manufacturers to use inferior products, take shortcuts, and use cheaper labour all for the sake of bigger profits.  Sin has led to all kinds of corruption and decay in this world, but soon all those saved by the blood of Jesus Christ will live in a world where there will be no decay or corruption.



Albert Bierstadt



and to an inheritance kept in heaven for you that can't be destroyed, corrupted, or changed.  1Pt. 1:4

But keep on storing up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  Mt. 6:20

Brothers, this is what I mean: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and what decays cannot inherit what does not decay.  1Cor. 15:50

       So, one day in the future, new bikes won’t rust within a year, cars won’t break down every few months, houses won’t fall apart and need constant repair.  Friends and neighbours won’t suffer with cancer as it destroys their bodies, and children won’t die of starvation in one part of the world or kill themselves for lack of love in another.  Parents won’t suffer watching a child in critical care due to an aneurysm or heart failure, hip replacements won’t be necessary, and teeth won’t need to be filled.  One day we won’t have to worry about terrorist bombers, unexpected accidents, or never having what we need.

       There will be a day when metal will not rust, food will not rot, and bodies will not die.  There will come a day when life is restored for what it should have been- before the curse.  Perfect, glorious, abundant life (2Cor. 5:4) face to face with our God in a world in which there is no more decay and corruption, but only blessings, peace, and joy.

I heard a loud voice from the throne say, "See, the tabernacle of God is among humans! He will make his home with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won't be death anymore. There won't be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first things have disappeared." The one sitting on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new!" He said, "Write this: 'These words are trustworthy and true.'"  Rev. 21:3-5 ISV

Ah, I can’t wait for that time! 

Can There Be Joy?

       I have always been an observer of life and of people, so wherever I go, I find interesting things to witness.  There was a dark time in my life when one thing bothered me (because of the perpetual misery I was in) and that was joy.  I remember how painful it was to watch a Mom or Dad playing with their young child, both laughing with joy, and it felt like a million knives were chopping at my heart and gut, ripping them apart.  Perhaps you never felt that way before, but you were bothered by people who always seemed happy.  Can there be people like that or are they living in a false ‘happy bubble’?

       What I have observed over time leads me to say that question is a complex one to answer.  First off, there are those in life who have never been through very difficult times; they are naïve about suffering, often oblivious to the pain in others, and therefore usually happy based on easiness of their own environmental factors.  That was me before I was married and my only dream was shattered.  Of course, there are also fakers who wear happiness like a mask when the reality is they are suffering like the rest of us.  These people are fairly easy to spot.

        There are those who seem a bit manic depressive because one day when all is going well they are happy, the next day when some things go wrong, they are miserable.  Others, who are constantly under heavy stress and trials, seem to never have joy in their lives, and often are envious of others who have it.  So, what is it that makes the difference of true or false joy?

       The thing I have finally learned is happiness isn’t worth much.  It comes and goes with the stresses and trials of life and therefore it is transitory.  On the other hand, joy can remain through the toughest of times and even tragedies.  Why?  Because joy is not based on environmental factors whether good or bad, but on a person- Jehovah God.

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.  Ps. 5:11 (underline is mine.)

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.  Ps. 32:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Ps. 16:11

Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart…  Is. 65:14

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.  Jer. 31:13

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  Hab. 3:18

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.  Rm. 5:11

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  Rm. 14:17

       We can have joy everyday, not in the bad things that happen, but joy in God who is with us always, who has saved us from our sins and given us hope of a glorious, suffering free future.  Hope in our God who loves us dearly, enough to allow His Son to die for our sins, and who ripped the veil of separation between us open so that we can be in His presence daily.  We can have joy in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit no matter what is happening in our lives or how deep and dark the trials around us for He is with us even in the darkest times (Ps. 23:4).  He will give us strength to endure, “…for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10).  Joy in Him can be ours, here and now!

But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Cor. 15:57