Buzzzzzzz!
I looked up to see a big, ugly fly buzzing around my bedroom.
It was early in the morning, and I was in the middle of having my devotions.
The fly buzzed around and calmly landed on my bed.
I slowly reached for my iPad, kind of expecting the fly to go away.
But it stayed.
I opened the camera app and positioned my iPad in front of the fly. Again, I expected the fly to become intimidated by the iPad that was “hovering” in front of it, and to fly away.
But again, it stayed.
I then repositioned myself and got my iPad’s camera lens really close to the fly.
Still, it didn’t move.
So, I snapped a photo of the fly.
Now, the fly that once looked ugly now became a huge blessing for me!
Why?
Well, for one thing, this little fly gave me plenty of blog post ideas for Learning To Live!
Such as the blog post that you are reading right now ?.
And in some ways, this little lackluster story of a fly buzzing around my room at 5 in the morning really gives a microcosmic, allegorical example of a key lesson God desires every Christian to learn.
But, what is that lesson?
Seeing Stars
During the 2020 Set Apart Girl Conference, Leslie Ludy quoted a small yet convicting statement from Amy Carmichael:
“Two men looked through prison bars, the one saw mud, the other stars.“
-Amy Carmichael-
In a way, just like those men in Amy Carmichael’s statement, I too had the choice to see that big ugly fly that was buzzing around my room as a nuisance or a blessing.
I could’ve either focused on the mud or the stars, figuratively speaking.
And the same concept applies to all of us as Christians; not just when pesky flies buzz around, but even during times of difficulty.
Will we choose to focus on the stars; to count the blessings even in the midst of the darkness and ugliness of hardship?
Promises To Cling To
Dear reader, I myself understand what it’s like to walk through the dark, ugly shadows of trial and difficulty.
And, I’d like to appeal to you, dear reader, to read and meditate over these Bible promises that have helped me in the midst of trial:
Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
(Psalm 55:22)
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.
(Psalm 57:1)
Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
(Psalm 61:1-4)
But I am poor and sorrowful;
Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
(Psalm 69:29)
The Lord upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down
(Psalm 145:14)
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
(Psalm 147:3)
I’d like to conclude this blog post with a song that I hope and pray will touch your heart to focus on the stars and blessing in your life–even in the midst of dark ugliness and painful tears.
Amen! Maranatha!