Late in the evening yesterday, I found, in a most unexpected place, a great reminder of how important it is to be people not just of faith, but a faith that embodies good works. As we let our dogs out for the last time before bed, a dragonfly made its way into our home. Quite annoying, these little creatures can be, especially when buzzing all around your house. Then Erin and I noticed that our cat was absolutely fixated on the dragonfly, tracking its every movement. Since the insect in question was flying around the ceiling, our cat got visibly and audibly frustrated with his inability to get to the pest. After a couple of attempts to put him in position to catch his prey, we went on into the back.
Well, about 15 minutes later, the cat appears at our bedroom door and starts meowing loudly, as if he wanted our attention. So after a few minutes of this, I went to see what was going on. He looked up at me, with a look only cats can give, and then I saw it. Under his front left paw was the dragonfly, who by this point had gone to see its maker. Mew had done what he'd set out to do, and wanted to share it with us. He seemed so proud that he had done what we had thought not too long before would be impossible.
As I thought more about it this morning, I started asking again those questions that we all must face each and every day: "Am I proud of what I have accomplished today? Could I take to God what I have done today, in thought, word, and deed, and expect God to be pleased with my efforts?" In no way am I saying that my relationship with my cat parallels at all with God's relationship with us. However, could you take, willingly, to God how you live your life and expect him to be pleased with the results?
Just something to think about.
See you Sunday!
Lamar
P.S. Our denomination's General Conference begins TODAY in Fort Worth, TX. Every four years, representatives from every conference in our denomination meet to discern where it is that God is leading our movement, voting on our church structure and guidelines. The representatives (equally split among clergy and laity) are elected at the prior year's annual conferences by vote of each congregation's delegate to the annual conference. Each congregation's delegate to annual conference is elected by the charge conference of the local congregation. Please be in prayer for the clergy and laity delegates from Louisiana that God may give them the wisdom to do what is right and pleasing in the sight of God. More information about General Conference can be found here.
Well, about 15 minutes later, the cat appears at our bedroom door and starts meowing loudly, as if he wanted our attention. So after a few minutes of this, I went to see what was going on. He looked up at me, with a look only cats can give, and then I saw it. Under his front left paw was the dragonfly, who by this point had gone to see its maker. Mew had done what he'd set out to do, and wanted to share it with us. He seemed so proud that he had done what we had thought not too long before would be impossible.
As I thought more about it this morning, I started asking again those questions that we all must face each and every day: "Am I proud of what I have accomplished today? Could I take to God what I have done today, in thought, word, and deed, and expect God to be pleased with my efforts?" In no way am I saying that my relationship with my cat parallels at all with God's relationship with us. However, could you take, willingly, to God how you live your life and expect him to be pleased with the results?
Just something to think about.
See you Sunday!
Lamar
P.S. Our denomination's General Conference begins TODAY in Fort Worth, TX. Every four years, representatives from every conference in our denomination meet to discern where it is that God is leading our movement, voting on our church structure and guidelines. The representatives (equally split among clergy and laity) are elected at the prior year's annual conferences by vote of each congregation's delegate to the annual conference. Each congregation's delegate to annual conference is elected by the charge conference of the local congregation. Please be in prayer for the clergy and laity delegates from Louisiana that God may give them the wisdom to do what is right and pleasing in the sight of God. More information about General Conference can be found here.
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