Today I just thought I would just share a part of my journey in this retirement transition. I love taking my own photos for this blog. This picture I finally captured in trying to get the depth of field right. Been on the training and working with my camera a good portion of the day. It may not be perfect, but it was closer than I have been before. I wonder how close we have to be to perfect before we accept God’s love for us. In my devotion, as I get closer to Him, I see more wonder in God loving us as we are. (“…While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 BSB)
I think about the images captured when photographing. Just as they are at that moment. Then, as photographers, we go to Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. to perfect the image. God works in us by His Holy Spirit through Christ Jesus to perfect us to the image He wants.
Gratitude is important to God. Getting up with a grateful heart sets my mind that no matter what happens, there is something to be grateful for. Just the thought of the goodness of God, brings a spirit of gratitude. I didn’t have to be here today. Reflection of the many times that the enemy tried to take me out and he couldn’t because God was in charge. “What then shall we say in response to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 (BSB)
That said, gratitude helps with contentment and the Bible says godliness with contentment is great gain. My heart is filled with gratitude as I make the transition from the corporate world to God’s purpose for me full time. Teaching, writing and photography are now my focal points. There are learning curves in all of these things but I am excited. The new leg of my journey is for real.
Today, I just want to offer encoragement to you to keep your eyes open for what God wants to do in your life. I believe that gratitude keeps us grounded. In that gratitude to God, there is an escape from the traps of the world when it comes to our dreams. God has not forgotten you. No matter your age you have not been forgotten.
On Wednesday last week on my way to work, I read John 17. This chapter of John talks about Jesus. He prayed for all of us believers before we ever came to be. I appreciated that. I looked around me at the trees. I found my source of inspiration.
On the block walking to work, there are many trees. Each tree has its own individual look and story. As I captured the pictures of these trees, what I noticed is that each tree and its branches told a story. Some were bent, some were straight, some went to the right and some went to the left.
As I became engrossed in the nature of these trees, I realized that we are to be like those trees, planted by the living waters, rooted and grounded. Looking at the various shades of green and the distortion of the branches, I concluded that trees grow regardless of the storm. They may begin to look funny. Sometimes the branches become broken. They get all tangled up. Sometimes the tree loses a limb. But, when it’s all said and done, the trees grow in grace. They weather the storms, whether rain, sleet, hail, snow, cold, wind or heat. Whatever comes, they continue to grow. I also realized that trees are only replaced when they are dug up by the roots. I came to see even more how important our roots in God and His word have to be for us to be “like a tree, planted by the rivers of water.”
Psalm 1:3 – “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither.”
How cool is it to know that Jesus holds the rivers of water. That a tree is a real symbol of growing in grace. No matter what happens, the tree is still standing. Even when the weather may break the trunk, guess what? The tree will continue to grow until roots are pulled up. When you are nurtured by the Word of God, you have no choice but to grow in grace, like the tree planted by rivers of water.
