Escaping Life's Superficial Trap

“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young.” Psalm 84:3a   

How do you like the photo of my little friends on the left? Their mama and daddy built this nest anticipating their arrival. The nest was intricately constructed with beautiful flowers, moss, grass, and twigs. It’s in a precarious place atop my porch light, but apparently, the birds feel safe because they return every spring to make a new home. Only when the front door opens do they flee, shrieking in terror that “something” almost got them. 
 

The birds start singing every morning around 3:00 a.m. when they imagine the first hint of daylight. I say imagine because it’s still pretty dark to me. 

“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3

One of the first things I realize upon awakening is the blessing of another day. I envy the bird’s ability to sing this to the world each morning. Often before I’m even fully awake, I began to talk to God about the day ahead. 

Sometimes humans dwell in an apparent safe place. We’ve created our perfect nest lined with beautiful things, content until something threatens our earthly trappings. While we shriek about superficial terror, we often hit the snooze button when it comes to spiritual threats.

Which would matter more?
     If my electricity were off for 24 hours or my access to God denied for 24 hours?
     If I lost my car keys or lost my Bible?
     If I were denied a promotion or a family member refused salvation?
     If the baseball game I attended went to extra innings or Sunday morning church service ran late?

The things we consider important in this temporal life are often nothing more than superficial security blankets. In fact, they may even have us in bondage. Just like the birds, we often repeat our mistakes while believing "this" time we'll be safe, when the only true security we have is inside the will of God.

The bird’s nest, which was so beautiful in the spring, deteriorated after it served its purpose. By autumn, it no longer existed. Likewise, our only lasting treasures are stored up in heaven for eternity (Matthew 6:20).

What earthly thing or situation has you trapped? Or perhaps is threatening the work God has called you to do? God already knows about it. He’s just waiting for you to ask for help.

If you have a prayer request, leave it in the comment section below or e-mail me confidential requests. My contact info is under the heading marked “Talk to Me.” I’d love to pray for you!

 

God bless,

Laura ✞

 

©Laura Hodges Poole

Revised post from archives—originally published June 6, 2012.

Spring's Promise

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

I have to admit—I’m not a fan of daylight savings time. Every year, my circadian clock, created by intelligent design, has a more difficult time adjusting to man’s not-so-intelligent design of saving time. Who are we kidding? Time can’t be saved, nor can daylight be extended. It kind of reminds me of the smoke and mirrors game Satan invented to distract us from God’s best plan for us. Yes, that’s how evil I believe DST is. J

Spring is my favorite season, and with its arrival, perhaps I’ll recover from the angst of the time change.

I can almost feel the earth turning under my feet, as the trees bloom around me, a little more each day. Daffodils sprang up a few weeks ago, hinting at spring’s impending arrival. The cotton-white Bradford pear blossoms, the crinkled corners of dogwood blooms, and new leaves uncurling in their quest to push forth new life confirmed it.

Almost overnight, a green haze settled over the grass, yellow dandelions pushed their heads up, and yesterday, we discovered a hyacinth amongst our purple Vinca flowers, its seed brought in by a bird or blown in on the wind. Cold nights are giving way to warmer, sunnier, and yes, longer days.

I also like spring because of the feeling it brings of eternal hope. Christ’s resurrection is a symbol of this. Regardless of the seasons we pass through in our lives, it’s our choice to rest in hope or linger in despair.

“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Ecclesiastes 11:4

Despite whatever trial you are enduring today—will you set it aside, along with its worries—just for a little while—and join in the celebration of new life that spring ushers in? Don’t watch the clouds, but cling to the promise of eternal life Christ brought with His resurrection.