What do you do with such a gift?

2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

I  read a story about a Dutch pastor and his family who had been hiding Jewish people in their home during the second World War. One night, they heard the sound of heavy boots and the loud impatient knocking on the door. They were arrested and loaded into a cattle car. All night long, the pastor and his family rode along in anguish, knowing they were being taken to one of Hitler's concentration camps only to be separated from each other and likely killed.

Finally, the train stopped. The doors of the cattle car were opened. They were marched out and lined up beside the railroad tracks. But then something very strange happened. They discovered that they were not in a death camp at all -- they weren't even in Germany!

During the night a courageous employee risked his life and purposely tripped a switch which sent the train of prisoners to Switzerland, to their freedom. Instead of being marched to death, they were welcomed to new life. Wow. Thank you God. In the midst of his joy and relief, the Dutch pastor said, "What do you do with such a gift?"

We have been given a gift of redemption much more powerful than this! And what are we doing with such a gift? Let's start being about doing the work of the Kingdom!

Dear Lord,  we thank You for the great gift You have given to each of us. Help us make the effort to share it with all those we come in contact with. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

On the right track.

Alaska Railroad

Psalm 25:4 (ESV)

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

    teach me your paths.

Day five of our Alaska Adventure we took a ride on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward and after a day of sightseeing in Seward back to Anchorage. It was a beautiful day as we followed the tracks through the Alaska wilderness. 

We need to let the Lord direct our paths and shew us the way in our life. When we are following those "paths" that it talks about and seeking the Lord to guide us, we tend to be more joyful Christians. On the other hand, relying on the Lord to "teach" us His paths is what I think we all have trouble with though.

It is like following train tracks. The Conductor knows what's up ahead but we may not and as humans that great unknown scares us. At least it scares me. Of course if we get off and start taking making our own path, we get derailed and lose our way and focus in our Christian lives. We need to rely on the Lord daily in order to be where we need to be.

Remember the story about The Little Engine That Could? When trying to go uphill, he kept saying, "I think I can!", "I think I can!". That's all well and good but as Christians, we should say, "I know God can!", "I know God can!". Through our faith we can use God's strength as we go through the tracks of life.

Dear Lord, we thank You that with you we can make it. Help us to trust You as You lead us down the tracks of life.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.