The story that He authored is one that tells us who we really are, who He is, and His plan for bringing us, His elect, back to Him. He provided a way to restore us, but it required that He provide a substitute and pay a ransom for us.  The ransom was paid by His Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Regardless of how we may perceive ourselves, we are like Mr. Floyd and Mr. Chauvin—lost and aimless in this realm.  Each and everyone of us has a fallen nature and as such, each and everyone of us are capable of making the same type of bad choices that each of these men made of that fateful day. Our worldly culture continues to fan the flames of selfishness and narcissism, while extinguishing the spark of selflessness and humility.

The lives of two men intersected on May 25, 2020. Why? We do not know why, nor why their actions resulted death of Mr. Floyd or the incarceration of Mr. Chauvin. Yet, how we choose to reflect and handle this matter begins with how we examine ourselves, and when we do so, we need to make sure that we are measuring ourselves against the proper standard, The Holy One, the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

I was thinking the other day how quickly time passes at times. Yet at other times, it just creeps along. As children we wonder when Christmas or summer break will arrive. When we are teens we wonder when we will be able to have a place of our own and lead our own lives.

Later, as we watch our children grow we are amazed how quickly time has passed since we held them in our arms. When grandchildren arrive on the scene, we feel like life is running at light speed.

Yet when it comes to our spiritual growth, we wonder why it takes so long for us to become more like our Savior. Through the trials and the storms of life we are refined slowly by our Lord. By degrees we are refined. As the apostle penned in 2 Corinthians:

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. — 2 Corinthians 3:18

Christ spent three years nurturing His disciples. Yet, after His accession He sent the Holy Spirit to continue the work. God demonstrates the ultimate patience with His children, because we are fallen. He understands, not only because He is all-knowing, but because He came in the flesh that we may have eternal life.

Paul speaks of his fallen nature, when he said, "So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want."

Though I long to be with my Savior in my home, I realize that He has me here for a purpose, to finish the work He began in me. I thank you Lord for your grace and always finishing what You begin.

In the meantime, I will heed these words penned by the Apostle Paul...

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. — 1 Corinthians 16:13-14—KJV

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. —Proverbs 28:26

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. —1 Corinthians 3:18

I pray Lord that I will rely on You today and not myself; help me to rest in You. Lead me, and give me the strength to follow Your paths. Amen.

And Jesus, answering them, began to say:“ Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am He, ’ and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. — Mark 13:5-8

Reading the headlines of today's news, whether in the form of the web's snippets or the scrolling ticker at the bottom of the screen, may cause bewilderment and anxiety. It is easy for us to fall into the trap—and it is indeed a snare that the "prince of the power of air" lays for us. For his hope is for us to quit "looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith." For if he is succesful in turning our eye from Christ he knows that he can cause us to stumble and even spiral into sin. What we see today in the world, our nation and in our own lives—the atrocities of abortion on demand, sexual perversion, slothfulness, materialisn and hatred for one's own is Satan's design and plan for us. Death.

Therefore, we must be careful not to fall into the snare—we must not. As ransomed ones we must remain true to our Captain!

Our Captain calls us to be zealous, watchful, awake! Remember when our Savior was in the garden—how he went ahead to have time with His Father and he called His disciples to remain watchful? How shameful they must have felt when their Lord returned to find them in deep slumber. How shameful I feel when I fail my Lord Jesus Christ, my Captain! Sin is such an awful thing and yet everyday I stumble, I fall flat on my face. Yet I have to struggle to my feet and carry on.

This is why it is critical to check our orders daily spending time with Him. Time spent in His Word and time spent in prayer allows us to become more like Him. Let us purpose this day to do what we ought.