Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
I heard a TV ad recently for apartments in a senior living facility. They assured potential residents many conveniences, comforts, and "No Sacrifice!"
But they did not say why anyone would want to live without making habitual and daily sacrifice. Isn't that how we know we're alive; isn't that how we demonstrate our gratitude to God and our love for family, friends, and neighbors? We prove we are like the Lord himself -- that is, we are among his disciples -- when we make sacrifices for our enemies.
Apparently, these marketers of luxury know nothing of the Kingdom of heaven, that "pearl of great price." But merchants should know that investing nothing profits nothing!
Without challenges and daily acts of courage, human life becomes first a vacuum of emptiness, and then a vortex of despair. Like the dogs which are bred for hunting, shepherding, guarding, or guiding, we want to, and are created to, worship our LORD with frequent sacrifices of prayer. Emerging from our daily prayer we look around to find what we might do for others.
Seniors must often attend to their chronic health issues so as to be more available for their families, neighbors, and works of mercy. The greatness of a society often relies upon willing volunteers. (I understand that Communist Russia banned every volunteer organization that did not explicitly promote the Party, which led to their collapse.)
We look forward to Eternal Rest with Almighty God and his saints and angels, and then we look forward to finding something useful to do in God's Kingdom.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.