Matt 5:3-10 (NIV)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be
comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the
earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown
mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see
God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be
called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Sooner or later we will all realize the futility of
trying to be in control of our circumstances, and we will come to understand
that our life has been a total sham. Hopefully it won't be while we are on our
deathbed!
God, in His goodness, will give us many opportunities
throughout our lives to contemplate real life, real freedom and real love. More
often than not, however, we simply shrug our shoulders and go on without a
second thought.
Still, only when we are completely broken inside can we
truly realize that there is more to life than wildly running around like a chicken
with its head cut off. But in all honesty, is our stressful life truly the full
life Jesus promises us? "I have come that they may have life, and have it
to the full." John 10:10 NIV
This was a concept the Germans didn't realize during
World War I. They wanted complete control, and complete control they had. Or so
it seemed to them. They hadn't yet conquered all of Europe, but they had
Belgium under their control! And though the Netherlands succeeded in shaking
them off their back, the Germans continued to strive for total control.
No communication was allowed between these two countries,
and this was easily controlled. Or at least that's what the Germans thought
when they erected a three-meter electric fence and sent 2000 volts of current
between these two countries. "Ha! That will keep them away!"
However in any plan designed to control someone's
behavior, there is always gaps that we never considered. Ingenious Hollanders
found a way around this electric fence. Or should we say "through
it"! They found out that if they put a wooden barrel between the wires,
they could crawl through the barrel to the other side without any consequences.
Soon they were regularly smuggling mail between the two countries.
Yes, the Germans thought they had the country completely
in control, especially since they had a backup plan. They had German troops
patrolling "the wire", or "Het draad", as they called it in
Dutch. And yes once, one of these troops caught one of these pundits and shot
him on the spot. But it didn't stop the communication between these two
countries.
Eventually the Germans realized they could not control
all of their conquered countries, and World War I came to an end. They never
completely gave up the idea of controlling all of Europe, however, and the
entire world as well, and a mere twenty years later Hitler came into power.
Fortunately for the world, he, too, had to come to the realization that total
control was impossible.
Broken, many of these soldiers, as well as the
inhabitants of the European countries who had suffered throughout the wars,
discovered a refuge in the One they considered their Shepherd. He was the One
they could trust at all times, to Him they surrendered their lives. Through
brokenness they discovered there is more to life than just barely living!
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He
makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he
restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's
sake." (Ps 23:1-3 NIV)
If you are facing despair and solitude because of your
circumstances, consider the hope Jesus, our Lord, is offering you. Even a midst absolute turmoil, you can experience real living. "I have told you these
things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)
Dear Lord, we pray that we wouldn't live in despair but
instead in Your great love that gives us each hope. Help us share that hope
with someone today. IN Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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