Affections

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A backpack loaded down and full of essentials… water bottles, and few nature bars close at hand and up the trail our hiking boots took us into massive green blanket of the forest where the monotony of switchbacks is rewarded with an eye full of natural wonders.   I can still see those crisp clear mirroring lakes, trickling streams, thundering waterfalls, roaring snow melt rivers and slow moving creeks filled with pacing mountain trout.  I still can see those green grassy inclines planted on the cliffs at the edge of the forests.  How the massive trees below looked so small.   I can see the curious squirrels looking for handouts and the whistling rock badgers playing hide and seek in the boulders.   I still can see the eagles soaring in the quiet air and the camp robber birds sitting and flying from the sparse hardy wind blown trees amongst the snow covered slopes of the mighty mountain.   I remember hiking through the mist and above clouds where the peaks got to see the last moments of evening sunlight.   It felt like it was just us and mountain.   Oh how I enjoyed hiking the mountains of the Cascades.

Of course there were those not so fun hiking trips as well.  Those times where the cold blowing rains were relentless and we were trenched to the bone, where my aching tired muscles yearned for soft bed and hot shower, where our bug repellent seemed to attract the mosquitoes then keep them away and we were more or less chased off the mountain by the swarming blood suckers.

During such trips my thoughts would rewind on what landmarks I saw along the path towards the beginning of the trip…  a fallen tree, a bridge, salmon berry bushes, a boulder, a stump, an exposed root, a sign, an abandoned mine, another switchback… “How far was that from the trailhead?” I would think.   

When we start paying “more attention” to the growing darkness and evil in the world we too can become tired and discouraged.  We begin taking more then just “tabs” on the “happenings” of world but we begin saying to ourselves, “There is another landmark Jesus spoke… now how much further was that to the trailhead so we Christians can go home?   This “happening”…. where does that fit in to the relation of Christ’s return?

Jesus words in Matthew 24 are referenced more frequently in our mind, are they not?

BUT we must be careful about this “OVER FOCUSING”….

For this negative focus is like putting a noose around your neck and just waiting for the floor to drop from under you.   This negative focus puts us in compromising positions and can even cause us to sin because we aren’t living in the hope of our salvation.  We, who are in Christ, have been set free from this life but focusing too much on the evil and darkness of the world can keep our soul captive and make us unproductive in Christ. 

For our life is not based on the temporal things of this world but on the eternal.

“Set your affections on the things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

I won’t pretend and say the things that we are seeing and are hearing aren’t disturbing but God is reminding me to set my affections on him not this world.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and is certain we can carrying nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:7

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“Many sorrows hath the wicked; but he that confideth in Jehovah, love-kindness shall encompass him.” Psalm 32:10

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

So as we continue to see the gathering of vultures, remember it's a journey and we are only passing through.
God has equipped us for such a journey.

May God reminds us daily....

Pursue who we are in Christ.

Live a godly life by being thankful towards God.

Live by faith by focusing on the things, which are eternal.

Love by abiding in His love.

Have perseverance through hope in God’s faithfulness and our salvation in Him.

Live in gentleness and humbleness by living in reverence for God.

"The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD.  The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 29:19

 “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”  Hebrews 13:21