One cold, cloudy day I was just finishing up washing the dishes until I looked out the window. Outside, perched calmly on a telephone pole wire, was a pigeon. At first I thought it was strange that the bird was just sitting there in such cold weather. But then, God whispered in my mind,
That’d make a good object lesson for the blog
So, I quickly washed the last dish in the sink, placed it in the dish rack, and snapped a couple pictures of the pigeon.
I couldn’t help but feel impressed that the pigeon was like how we as SDA Christian teens should be in the cold, cloudy weather of trial and affliction. Instead of being filled with stress, anxiety, and fear in the midst of trial and hopelessness, we can–like the pigeon perched calmly on that phone pole cable–“rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). Just patiently wait for God to supply what we need. This object lesson is tied in to what Jesus said:
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” [Matthew 6:26]
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” [Luke 12:6-7]
This also reminds me of two quotes I came across one time:
The Christian life must be a life of constant, living faith. An unyielding trust, a firm reliance upon Christ, will bring peace and assurance to the soul. –[Messages To Young People pg. 112]
“Beware of desperate steps; the darkest day, Wait but tomorrow, will have passed away.” “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Christ knows the strength of your temptations and the strength of your power to resist. His hand is always stretched out in pitying tenderness to every suffering child. To the tempted, discouraged one he says, Child for whom I suffered and died, cannot you trust Me? “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” –[Messages To Young People pg. 97]
Would you like to experience that calm, peaceful trust in God? To have that quiet confidence that Christ will help you and strengthen you no matter how cold and cloudy your life becomes? Then just pray:
I’d like to conclude this post with a promise you may meditate on along with the above prayer:
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.(Isaiah 26:3)
Amen!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. They were a beautiful reminder of God’s promises and lessons in times of trial. Please keep writing and sharing. You are a blessing, Aleah.