%20(1).jpg)
Treasure to discover
A couple of years ago, I was working in an office for a boat company. That day, someone at my work was very angry with me. I felt so bad and didn't know where to run away, but I had some watercolor paints in my bag and a brush.
In desperation, I took them out and painted this out of my heart - just to calm down (on my break, of course). My soul was sinking into the scene I imagined in my mind (I probably saw it somewhere in the past). And it worked. The peace came. It was very much like creating a different reality for myself to escape.
I really believe God communicates through art, and it's more than a fantasy. Because Yeshua / Jesus, the Prince of Peace, abides in my heart and my life is His, I already have the reality of peace within me. And when I forget, He helps me to "Paint the picture" in my mind again, to see it, and to experience it. His peace “passes all understanding,” which means it is beyond my current opinions or emotional limitations.
Phil.4:6-7 Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
This is not some new theory; I simply took my thoughts and feelings as paints, painted my reality in Christ with them, and entered into the picture. As a child of God, I choose to let His reality take over my heart. And everything else will so naturally fall into place.
And if you're still living outside the kingdom of God, now is the favorable time; today is the day of salvation. Through faith in Yeshua/Jesus, anyone can access that amazing reality and be reconciled to his Creator. The invitation is still open.
Romans 5:4 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
And for those who choose to believe in Him and yield their lives to Him, He has a very special treasure to discover - His peace. Especially now.
John 14:27. 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.
Don't forget, Oh my soul!
You have probably heard about the place called Galilee. It's mentioned in the Scriptures. In fact, Jesus the Messiah Himself walked here, performing mighty miracles and uttering life-giving words. Here, He was called by His Jewish name, Yeshua. This area, surrounding the Sea of Galilee, was and is an amazing and significant place on the planet. The very air is filled with wonder.
I live here in Galilee, and I see this kind of view every day. Do I live in that wonder reality every single day? Not exactly. I walk pass by this beauty, I got used to the scene.
It's not easy to find time to stop, look around and to breathe it in.
Maybe I'm not the only one in this... Living through our daily routine, we all feel somewhat obligated to “rush into the next thing”. So, the experience of wonder is always somewhere at the end of our priority list. But that’s an illustration. The reality is the wonder of life in Christ, the New Creation.
If you are a born-again child of God, you have been placed (out of darkness) into His marvelous light. Do you realize? If you do, look around! Not so much the nature landscape, but the wonder element. God Himself will show it to you every time you're looking. He wants to show you that new reality He brought you into, if only you pay attention.
He urges us to seek Him—not to play seek and hide, but because He so desires to be found by His children. But if we are too busy, the wonder of His presence may pass right by us.
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near. Is.55:6
Child of God! Stop for a second and think about Jesus. He lives inside your heart. Notice His presence and breathe it in. Thank Him for sharing His life with you; what a wonder!
And then just be there for a few minutes, if you can. Gratitude brings us back from distractions into the reality we were created to live in. You don't want to miss out on that.
My Picture of the World
If anybody loves books, it would be my father. His house is a good-sized library. Actually, in his house, there are more books than space.
I personally enjoy books with pictures. Just looking through them gives me a sense that I already understood the idea and saw the point, as I would have read it.
This one was about Italy. As I looked at the beautiful photos, my dad stood beside me and explained, "I look at the photograph, and it feels like visiting that place".
There is surely truth to that. But I decided to push it a bit further and tried to paint what I saw in that photograph.
While doing so, I discovered within myself an interesting connection to that reality: I took it inside my heart and also "entered that place".
Why do I explain it in so much detail? Simply because I believe that's how my faith works: I look at the picture (described in the Word of God), but it's not enough. If I intend to really, tangibly connect to that truth, I need to start painting that picture in my mind. Step by step, it will come alive in me, with all the colors and details. It will be MY reality of what I see in the Scripture. It works wonders. It will be my picture, but at the same time, it will God's reality, revealed through my life.
Ps. 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law doth he meditates day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
Though painting or drawing can be an amazing tool in this context, it doesn't have to be. As we slow down to meditate upon God's word, we enter His world, and our imagination works as a brush on a canvas.
I would like to remind you that you are the artist and that the world is waiting for you.
History Updates
Some time ago, people lived in the Stone Age. It was characterized by a widely spread usage of stones in multiple areas of human life. They were used for all kinds of purposes: to secure a dwelling place; as working tools; for hunting, to name a few. Stone was surely not the only available resource, but the only one discovered at that time. Even if you're not used to the luxuries of modern civilization, like a phone or computer, you would still agree that life has changed a lot since then. It became so much easier due to the many discoveries of different resources.
Yet there are still stones everywhere: old paved roads, historical buildings, and monuments. They remind us of our past.
There are people around as well, which remind us of the Stone Age. You can sense their stone quality: hard, cold, exalted on a pedestal, like statues. Those people naturally expect to be admired and are very fixed in their own ways.
Frankly, we all have those qualities. They belong to the sin nature we all inherited from the first man, Adam, through his disobedience. This is our human history. The scripture calls that “a heart of stone.” We cannot rewind it backward, but we don't have to get stuck in the Stone Age either.
Let me tell you about one amazing life resource that I happened to discover a few years ago.
Ezek. 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart (a heart of flesh).
Through the obedience of the second Adam, the Messiah, an eternal quality life became possible for all who believe. I responded to God's call and agreed to have my heart transformed by His truth. And I found out that living out of that resource (my changed heart) is not only easier, but also much more meaningful. The best way to update your life! Indeed.
Jesus has finished His work—to redeem us from sin—and now you can come out from the Stone Age whenever you choose. Just one step of faith would be enough.
1Pet. 2:5 You yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
As living stones, we reveal history as being what it was meant to be: His Story.
Coming alive
I went to visit my friends in New Hampshire for a weekend. They just bought an old house in the woods and are planning to renovate it. In the morning, I went outside; it was a cloudy day.
"Maybe I can find something to paint," I thought, and I went out with my drawing pad and a brush. I looked around at their backyard. It resembled an old photograph, a picture of the past: a fancy old car, which probably had been standing there for years; an old-fashioned bicycle; a rusty wheelbarrow... Even the forest behind looked like it was tired to stand.
Nothing exciting, - I thought and turned to go back inside the house, but suddenly bright sunlight illuminated that entire scene. I saw such a dramatic change! In an instant, the picture was transformed!
Suddenly, everything started to glow with strength and enthusiasm. Yea, the light surely makes a difference. So, I stopped and started painting.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Whether it will be just a short-lived emotion or a shifting in your life reality is your choice. You can grab a hold of the light you see or only enjoy it for a moment and continue your way, as if nothing happened. We cannot live without light, at least not a quality life. Our Creator is the "Father of Lights," and He has brought all His children out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1Pet. 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Do you want to be among these special people? Allow this light to penetrate your heart and every aspect of your life! This marvelous light is the kingdom of God's only Begotten Son, Jesus the Messiah. It’s open to you. Receive the truth, and shine! It has never been a better time.
Going through testing
There is an opportunity hidden in every difficulty: a chance to learn and to grow inwardly.
And it always feels like a test, where you need to find the right answer, in order to pass to the next level of whatever in life. Usually there are few options to make a mistake and only one correct answer.
It sounds familiar, isn't it? I’m not talking about school memories, but about today's reality. We have all experienced moments of disappointment, pain, and despair. We all thought of giving up, faced with difficult situations. But none of those options will bring you through the testing. Let me explain. I mean that if you continue to choose the wrong answers, you will not pass the test but will remain in the same grade, as the best option. You know what happens in this case? Life becomes dull and meaningless, just going in circles, going through the same old stuff over and over. And there seems to be no end... How long, oh God?
There are people around you with all different personalities and a wide range of opinions. Everyone might offer an answer to your question. But this is your story, your test and most importantly - you have to come up with your answer. And deep inside, you know it. The opportunity is there, even if you don't see it. Just like a correct answer in a test, it waits to be discovered. This is an option to learn and grow on the inside.
You might have a friend or two to cheer you up in the process, but the responsibility of making a choice is yours alone. Just remember: Jesus is here with you, in the fire of your struggle. Having passed through death and resurrection, He is on both sides of the equation. Turn to Him, and you will perceive the solution.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Pr.3:6
He leads you to the good answer. His answer will make you pass the test, for sure. But until you grab your pen and write that answer, settling down the issue, the test will go on.
Take His answer. Take it seriously! Take it personally! And do not be distracted; the test isn’t over.
Visit to Venice
Venice has a reputation as a "must-visit" place. Tourists are everywhere. When I was on one of those boats, one of the passengers exclaimed, "Oh! To see Venice and die!" I didn't agree with that and answered, "I have a much better option - to see the resurrected Christ and live!"
We all heard those cliché phrases... Obviously, people don't die from visiting Venice, but the sentence "To see Venice and die!" implies that this visit almost equals the value of a human life. Okay, maybe I'm the only one who thinks this way, but nevertheless...
We all value different things in our common world. For one person, "Music is life,", for another, "Mother Nature", yet for another, "Your brain is everything,", "Math is everywhere," etc. All those are only fragments of our lives and rather point to your choice of life resource. The truth is that whatever we really value, we will seek to connect to it in order to experience life. But nothing in creation (a created substance, whether an element or an attribute) is capable of giving life. All those are here as discovery tools that lead us to perceive who our Maker is, in all His majesty and infinite wisdom. They have been mistakenly understood to be the life resources in themselves. For this reason, so many lives are crushed under the weight of frustration.
But here is the Good News: God Almighty, the Creator of Life and its Origin, has brought Life to us in the Person of Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ. His sacrifice for our sins, His death and resurrection on our behalf have opened the door to everyone who will believe. His divine (not created) life, which knows no end.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This is the best choice a human being can make. Be alive! And stay that way.
Wasted?
It was a picnic in a park with so many people that I never met. Food, music, swimming, socializing—all in a joyful mode. It was nice to be a part of that for a short time, but it went on and on. Sometimes I feel disconnected in a large group.
I quietly left the epicenter of action and started to wonder in the park. Soon I came across this road with a little wooden bridge. Realizing that the road led to a new area, I sat down on the grass by the edge of the canal. The place was in the shadow, right before the bridge. To see a beautiful view, you had to either go back to the location of the picnic or cross the bridge and follow the road. No one would choose that place for a pause.
"No one will come to look for me here; I can simply rest for a few minutes and then continue." I thought about it and looked down into the dark waters of the canal. And there I saw these white lilies: they were so gorgeous! From the bridge, you couldn't see them, so for the most part, they were unnoticed. They were not appreciated or recognized by others; was their beauty "wasted"?
Interestingly, it didn't bother them. I was captivated and took out my paints and brushes. These lilies were fragile and secure at the same time. Their aspect was so graceful, and their determination to be there reflected strength. Contradiction? Maybe not...
As we pass from one bright spot to another, we are often drawn into these places of reflection: "Who am I? When no one notices me, am I still somebody? What can I hold on to? Is there a purpose in all this, or is my life simply 'wasted'?" Make sure you don't rush through those places, because there the strength and beauty will be coming forth, if you would pay attention. This is where you can learn to focus on God and perceive who you really are created to be.
James 1:18 Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
When God's purpose and desires burn inside your heart, your life will never be "wasted". I know that I have been created for the Maker Himself, to reveal His glory. And I’m determined to live that life, allowing God to mold me however He chooses.
How can Iget there?
Let me share a secret with you: this painting was originally an angel with wings.
Then, in the creation process, it got transformed into a human being; just her right shoulder is "missing" because the wing was in that place. Actually, this image was changed many times in between as well. The vision was twirling around me like a wind, and I had to work fast to keep up with the adjustments.
It often happens in our lives, when we desire to get somewhere but do not clearly perceive our final destination. All we have is the living vision within our hearts, wildly twirling around. One moment, your heart can be stirred, and the next, you might doubt the move you just made. But we can't go back to the past; we can only move forward and make adjustments. To change our present for the sake of the future is quite an engaging process. In this unfolding journey, I perceive that the key is to stay closely connected to the living vision, no matter which direction it will ultimately take. Because that vision will bring you to your desired haven.
This is how we walk with the Lord. We hear the good news about our possible relationship with Him through faith in Jesus the Messiah, and our hearts are illuminated by the truth. We decide to respond and engage in the journey. But we don't clearly perceive the end result. God has promised. He is faithful. We have His Promise in our hearts as a living vision.
In different stages of our growth, we see new aspects of that promise, like different facets of a Diamond. And step by step, our response to that revelation transforms our perception of ourselves and our picture of the world. The walk with the Lord is a breathtaking adventure. As God's beloved children, we have His Spirit leading us from within. He is the Author of our salvation; He is the way; and He is our final destination. In Messiah, we enter eternal life.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1 John 2:24–25 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he has promised us, even eternal life.
Cutting through the noise
Whatever we do, the world is watching us. We often forget about it and have a sense of being unseen. Sometimes we wish no one would see us, but that's not the case. The world looks at you and makes its judgments. Everyone has an opinion about you, even if they don't express it audibly. And you hear those voices, often contradictory to each other, from every direction. Merging together, they create a rather noisy environment to live in. We all go through life hearing noise in our heads, hoping there would be a way to simply switch it off.
One day, you get out there with your instrument, whatever you've got (it doesn't have to be musical). You are so excited about a chance to be heard!
As your audience applauds, you hear their responses and judgments in your head.
"Hm... Interesting"
"He is just young and ambitious!"
"Oh! What a unique, powerful sound!"
"What is unique about it? It sounds exactly like everyone else!"
And the list is endless...
Indeed, you may seek to express your unique self, as many gurus teach today... But honestly, your sound, no matter how sensational it might appear for the moment, soon becomes a part of the noise.
Yet there is another sound permeating our universe. It's the voice of its Creator. It carries a different frequency than anything creation can come up with; that’s why it's not so easy to recognize. But it's not impossible. God Almighty has created the world with His voice, and no human noise can interfere with it (even if it appears to be so for a brief moment). Soon, the entire universe will hear His voice and be transformed in an instant.
But even now, He makes Himself heard by those who are willing to hear. He communicates with those who seek His face. Wisdom, comfort, and direction are all His attributes. He speaks to those who value His presence more than anything else, and who leave behind their own ways in order to follow after Him.
Hebrews 3:15. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Once a child of God chooses to follow Him fully and the voice of God becomes decisive in his life, an interesting phenomenon takes place. The frequency of his own sound is changing, into the perfect harmony with what he hears from the Lord.
And here you are again with your instrument, but it sounds quite different now. The noises don't matter anymore. God's voice echoes in every fiber of your being. All you hear is the voice of your Maker, who is leading you; carrying you on the sound of His voice into the world to come.
Being led...
Who is here being led? The horse - it's obvious. It obediently serves its master, carrying her portion of the yoke.
But the man (leading the horse) has an agenda as well, and he is very concerned to follow it precisely. Whatever it might represent, he is determined to follow his laid-out plan: to stay within its time frame and not to fail any of its standards.
I believe you understand what I’m talking about and maybe even have had a similar experience. You've laid out a plan and convinced yourself that this is the only way it's going to work. In the process, this plan became a major part of who you are; you "cannot afford" to fail it now! You have locked yourself in a prison of your own plan and keep dragging your life behind you like a horse. You both wish things would be different, but is there a chance?
Let me share my understanding with you. While a person lives as if he belongs solely to himself, he dwells in "nobody cares" mode. Of course, he would employ his best efforts to take care of himself: planning, agendas, goal setting, success measurements, good will, discipline, etc. And life rolls on and on... Until one day his heart gets illuminated by the perfect love of God.
Rom.5:8 God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
The shocking light of this revelation interrupts the rolling of the routine. “This is out of this world”! And suddenly new thoughts appear, like: “There are maybe other ways to live a life...”
Jesus’s love for you led Him to the cross, to give His life, in order to share it with you. Those who perceive this reality don’t want to continue living by themselves and for themselves.
Gal.2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
To live by Christ, being united with Him in both death and life. This quality life is surely "out of this world", this life knows no end. It's the very life of God, it saturates eternity. And those, who are being led by God, fully committed to Him, will come into this glorious abode.
God is leading every human into the revelation of His eternal, life-giving love. And now, He desires to lead you every day, in every detail. Will you allow Him?
Romans 8:14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
A Light Switch
Have you ever stayed late at work? Later than you were "supposed to"? You were "programmed" by yourself or others to go to the next scene, to pass onto the next point in your schedule, but you lingered a while longer. And your program went on without you.
Just a short while ago, everything was so colorful and bright. You watch how quickly the lights go down, and the darkness takes over, step by step. Who switches them off? Is there someone out there? You may wonder. It feels uneasy, a sense of helplessness in the face of this imminent change...
Actually, it was always like that. But simply because you lingered a bit longer, instead of rushing into the next thing, you noticed these dynamics. The emptiness and futility of this world are hidden behind the mask of constant activity. The vanity under the sun, - as Ecclesiastes wrote in his conclusion. The sunlight we all live under is so short-lived. Sooner or later, everyone makes this discovery. Here is a sure way to fall into deep despair.
Yet there is a better way. God Almighty has shown His light into our dark world in the person of Yeshua / Jesus, His Son.
John 1:9. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
His light is available for everyone, but only those who believe in Him and step out of darkness, will have their hearts transformed and partake of His amazing life in the light.
John 3:19-21 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hate the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light...
The light switch is within you. If your world seems to be too dark, you can choose to turn on the light at any moment. Even now.
Stay Focused
Here or There - which one would you prefer?
"Well... I know what is here, but is there something out there?"
Sure, you know what is close to you; it has become familiar. You know all about it: the smell, the taste, the shape, the sound, the cost, the opening hours... what else? It might be a very good place. You might have arrived into a comfortable spot in your life with lots of benefits. The world clips on you a tag of "Success"; standing in the spotlight, you may even forget about "out there," but it's approaching. Because the road continues forward.
At this point, I have to tell you more about this painting.
One experienced artist happened to look at it. He shook his head and told me, "You have to learn to perceive the world properly. Normally, what is closer has to be presented in detail, contrast and shades; then what is further down the road can appear blurry and uncertain." Though I perfectly understand his logic, I don't fully agree with this point of view, I'll tell you why.
If my major focus is not on what is right in front of me, but rather much further "down the road,", then I would perceive those realities (out there) in more details, much clearer than anything else. It all depends on where my attention is and what I am focused on.
As my personal conclusion, I just want to add that the world we know today, with all its troubles and “glory,” is passing away and the kingdom of the Messiah is much more real. And it's just about to manifest upon the earth in all its strength and beauty.
Colossians 3:1 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.
If only you would choose to focus on that reality, you would be able to handle wisely what is "right here" and fearlessly walk the road before you.
What's going on?
Sounds like a simple, straightforward question, isn't it? Children are usually simple and straight enough to make this kind of inquires. Because as we grow, we tend to ask different questions, like:
"What can be done?"
"Whose fault is that?"
"What are the consequences?"
And so on.
How often we kinda skip this most important question, "What's going on?" Why so? Maybe we, the adults, just assume to understand the events and matters from the first look and hurry up to announce our solution; or simply believe everything we are told.
All other questions would be easy to answer, once you define what is exactly going on. It's called "The Narrative" or "The Given Data" to start with. Why is it so important? Because everything else flows out of that, as a river from its source.
It means that whenever we get into a complicated situation, we need to go back into its original data, to the source, in order to resolve the issues.
At one point in history man chose to establish for himself what is right or wrong and since then the human wisdom made the world a rather complicated place. But before shooting our adult questions, trying to figure out what to do or find someone to blame, let's ask a question of a child: "What's going on?"
To fully answer that question, we need to go back to the origin of man: how humans were created by God and what was the original purpose of their creation. Maybe it seems for you to be too far in the past and disconnected from our present reality... It only seems to be so.
God Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, has created us to share His divine eternal life and to witness His glory and goodness. He has placed this calling upon us and didn't change His mind.
Ephesians 1:4-6. just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Once you perceive the purpose of your existence from the words of your Maker, everything else would be much easier to resolve. I know it's only a first small step in discovering the "true narrative", but if you seek in the Scriptures, you will see so much more.
Ps.119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
To my understanding, on the way of God’s testimonies, you will find answers to any other questions you might have.
Reflecting Light
All my life, I have been traveling from one place to another, almost non-stop. I never developed a habit of journaling my adventures, though I think it would have made an interesting book.
But now, when I look back, making connections with my past in my mind, the first and sometimes the only thing I remember is the reflection of light.
I mean: the reflection of the sunlight on the kindergarten fence, on a wall of the school building, on a street sign, on a shop window, upon the mountaintop... or on a house at a distance, like here. All other memories seem to fade, and only light reflections travel with me into the next chapter of my life.
When I pondered on this phenomenon, I came to realize that I don't need to collect anything in this world, even memories. All those details will fade with time. But what is really valuable in any scene we live through in any context is the light and how it was reflected.
And once the light appears, there will always be at least one element from the whole “picture”, that would respond to it and reflect it. And this is the most important in every situation, as we travel through life.
God our Creator is present everywhere, He illuminated our lives with His eternal glory in the face of His Son Jesus / Yeshua. He shines into every situation that we might face on earth during our lifetime, if we would only respond to Him!
If it seems dark, look for the ray of Eternal light and choose to respond to it. No matter how insignificant your response might be, a sincere one would be enough to make a connection.
John 8:12. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Follow Jesus in every situation. The light is multiplied by your reflection.
Choice of a Child
The world around us abounds with variety. There are so many kinds of almost everything in life. We all rummage through this variety, unearthing something that is of value to us at the moment. This process gives us the feeling of being someone important, but then, after a while, it gets boring.
I was waiting to go for a boat ride when I saw this little girl with her father. She was glued to the ramp, observing those boats, like you would watch an action movie. All the boats had different shapes, sizes, styles and purposes. None of them were available, though none invited this little girl to join them for a ride. And then her father, who stood by her side, pointed at a boat further away and exclaimed, “Here it is!” She hugged him and took his hand to go together for a boat ride.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
You start to observe the lives of other people, and you don’t notice how the day has passed. This activity even has a somewhat paralyzing effect. Isn't that what "a TV in every home" or some other screen is for?
What I mean is that you can get carried away by watching other people's lives; you can even forget that you have your own. Your life is to live and act, not just watch.
Remember: your Father is always near you. He will select the best boat for you and point you to it. The choice will become quite simple: ignore Him or follow Him.
A simple illustration? I agree. But trust the Father's choice. Like a child. Take His hand and go to the boat, a breathtaking adventure awaits you.
Step Outside
It doesn't really matter whether you prefer to spend your time indoors or outdoors.
Surely outside, especially in nature, there are so many benefits, from fresh air to breathe to ever-changing beauty to enjoy, but I don't intend to "push you out" of your house. Besides that, maybe you have invested a lot of effort to make it a welcoming and cozy place. And in that case, you are probably eager to get back home every time you go outside. We are all unique and to be yourself is the best option in life.
Yet, in spite of differences, we have a natural tendency to find or create a place of comfort and settle there. We have all heard the expression "Get out of your comfort zone!" but what does it really mean? What does it mean for you? Does it mean, "Go out there, fearlessly chasing your dreams"? Or "To be recognized, standing on the stage of success"? There are enough options to choose from, but all of them will keep you within yourself. Would you ever consider the idea of stepping beyond that? No, I don't mean “New Age” ideas of getting lost, merging with nature, the universe, energy and so on. No concept of human expansion in creation will last forever.
Here is the truth about the matter: More than two thousand years ago, the Son of God stepped out of His glorious dwelling and came into our human world as one of us - a Son of man. He came to redeem us back into Himself as He paid the price for our sins and rose again in victory. Having done that, He ascended back to heaven, where He had dwelled before.
Eph. 4:8-10 Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
To enter His victory is only possible by faith. He went beyond all limits to reach you.
Phil.3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Step out to meet Him. Into His unlimited, eternal kingdom.
Between Two Worlds
I saw this young woman in a café in Boston.
It was a late hour. She was very active at first, smiling in different directions, but as she sat down at one of the tables with her drink, I saw this expression on her face. On the outside, her face seemed to be "frozen". It reminded me of a mime dancer taking a break between performances. At the same time, her eyes revealed that a lot was going on inside. She was standing on the bridge between two worlds: her familiar world of the past and her "whatever can happen" future.
"What is special about it? You may ask. Every moment in life lies between the past and the future." Right, but not always do we realize the significance of the present moment. You perceive light somewhere ahead, but right in front of you, there’s a fork in the road. Nothing external matters; your entire world is standing still in anticipation to see where you will take your next step. It's quite a responsibility, isn't it?
John 3:19-21 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Who does evil hate the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
When I was nineteen years old, I heard the truth of the Gospel and was then left alone in a room. I remember that moment so clearly... The light of hope was there; in my heart, the kingdom of God was so near, only one step of faith away. I saw it inwardly, but it shone so brightly as if a thousand projectors were pointing at me, as if I were the only human being in the entire universe. I had to choose. It felt "scary" for a second... But I realized that everything outside this light is utter darkness with no hope attached to it. And I made my choice.
Oh! I'm so glad that I chose Jesus the Messiah to be my Lord and my life forever.
Step into His light of the Kingdom. He is waiting for you there.
My Style
This drawing looks somewhat familiar, doesn't it?
I saw this picture on the surface of a little box of colored pencils and decided to draw the scene (or close to it) on a piece of paper. Copy? Okay, call it a copy; I won't be offended. But it's still my drawing... See, how difficult is it to let go of something once you've made it your own (even though it wasn't yours to start with)?
It looks like a drawing Edgar Degas would make (impressionists). Sorry, I couldn't find the exact reference, but maybe you would be more knowledgeable than me.
Now, having explained all that, let's just say that it was made "In the style". And let's consider this fascinating phenomenon of a style, shall we?
One of the major definitions of style is "the way in which something is said, done, expressed or performed". In today's world, people identify each other by style. Of course, there is also fashion, which dictates to us what we are "supposed" to choose; we are all influenced by it sometimes, in different measure; but our choices altogether make a particular "style". So, people would perceive who you are by your style: the words you choose, the ways you respond to situations, and the ways you communicate with the world. And for the most part, we all tend to "arrange" people by their styles (in the box of our minds).
We can all be tempted at some point to copy someone else's style, which we admire and run with for some time, but it can be lost easily. Only our own choices, our own experiences and our own beliefs really stay with us and make us unique. Of course, we don't have to invent something new all the time in order to appear original (and not a copy), but every element of our style has to come from within us. Like, clothing we wear should be ours, not borrowed from another (normally).
Here is my conclusion: God Almighty, our Maker, created each one of us in His image and likeness; He is our ultimate standard of truth and righteousness, and at the same time, each one of us is unique. In this perspective, what we receive from God, as our source, goes deep into our being and becomes a part of our new nature; then it will be seen as our attribute (though it was God's to start with). Do you understand what I mean?
Eph.5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. (Some other translations say here: “imitators”)
We don't have to compare ourselves with each other, matching styles, establishing fashions... As God's beloved children, we can learn from each other's experiences, but let's not stop there! Let's go deeper into fellowship with God Himself, and walk the journey, and receive from Him first hand. Then it will be your own and no-one will be able to take it from you.
Everything that God has given us is in Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:11–12And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Original, authentic life is life in Jesus, received from the Source of Life, “first hand”.
Wait till morning
The night is long, and the idea of waiting through the night might sound unending, even desperate. Due to its darkness, the passage through the night is usually associated with trials and testing, pain and suffering. Especially in the darkest hours, after midnight. The night can be scary; you might feel alone and forsaken, or in danger of a sudden attack from the unknown. You may start to wonder if morning will ever come, and your mind starts to wander in a desert of doubts.
"Maybe it was an illusion?"
"How could I be so naive to believe the promise of the morning?"
Sounds foolish, right? But that's exactly how our human wisdom sounds in the context of God's promises.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
The Messiah has promised to come again; soon He will fulfill His promise, and the entire world will see Him as King. But until then... Seal His promise in your heart and press in through the night.
Hosea 6:3. So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear...
You will hear his voice: "I know you have been waiting all night and persevered." And you will sense His wind, blowing into your sails. In a twinkling of an eye, you will be transformed and ready to go.
You have been born again for this. Look at the Promise in your heart, see the light?
Vision and Provision
People notice different things in life. Even in the exact same circumstances, we perceive different dynamics. Not only interpret “each one in his own way”, but actually see differently.
In the secular world, which is addicted to psychology, people explain it as “you attract whatever is inside you.” Yes, this statement explains some of it, but it leaves out the presence of God in the lives of His children, their faith, hunger for Him and guidance from above.
It was a rather difficult season in my life. Shortly after making this drawing, I was homeless for over a month. Isn’t that interesting, that the Lord led me to turn my head and notice a house? I’m sure it was from Him! After that homeless period, I got my own place.
I see the progression of these events as an illustration of God’s way. He gives us a vision in a form of a promise in His word. Of course, He gave multitudes of them, but He draws our attention to a particular one. He leads us to notice it. It might seem that a verse jumps out from the page, or is somehow highlighted, or however else.
“Paying attention” process would be to meditate on it, consider, take it in, getting hold of the promise and then… the circumstances go the opposite way. Did God change His mind? No way!
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
It is simply a test - if you would believe God’s promise more than the circumstances.
Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
What is meant here? What are we to overcome? I can name a few: Doubting God’s promise, fear of failure or death, emotional turmoil, rejection from friends, and mockery from enemies.
God provides, and our mission is to guard His vision in our hearts and to keep going. His provision will manifest right in front of our eyes.
Creative Process
Children are naturally uninhibited and have no problem creating on the spot. We, as adults, look at their creations and smile; they brighten up our world. The purity of their hearts shines through those simple lines and colors, and it looks inspiring. Wouldn’t that be included in a description of true beauty?
If you ever attempted to paint a picture as an adult, you know it doesn’t feel the same. We “experienced” life and now our thoughts and feelings demand logical arrangement of elements, setting tasks, resolution... etc. Our own human reasoning can firmly block a free dance of inspiration.
Like this precious woman that I saw in Tiberias, we might be sitting in front of a white canvas or paper, wondering “How I make a picture here?” and “What is the mystery behind the whole creative process?” “It feels uneasy; it makes me a bit nervous… What if I make a mistake?” You might be familiar with those expressions… Fear of failure is one of the most common human attributes. We grow up in the world, ruled by sin. From childhood, we are brainwashed into performance-centered ideas of meaningful life. But we don’t have to stay that way, it’s possible to break free from those “performance chains”.
The truth is: we have been created for a relationship, first with God our Maker and then with each other. In this context, different values are coming to the fore, like: love, trust, pure heart. The light of God’s essence shines bright in the truth, and performance ideas are fading away from that dazzling light.
Eph.2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Some other translations use the word “Masterpiece” in this verse. Since Our Creator is Eternal. He contains all three tenses within His Being: past, present and future – all in the same time. He already sees the whole picture, even before I would put my first brush stroke. He has put His heartbeat into my being. I am His creation, workmanship, masterpiece… created to show forth His goodness and splendor.
Notice this verse from Ephesians: I don’t do the works; I simply walk in them. How? One step at a time. I mean, I make one step and from there see where to make the next one. Without sweating in my efforts to “figure it out.” I simply flow, simply follow Him. I’m honored to be a part of His glorious creation.
Vineyard in Winter
This road started on top of the mountain, leading into a village. It was a cold winter afternoon, almost no movement. A covering of snow made the whole scene appear “sleeping under a blanket.” Walking down that road, I sensed a gentle touch of beauty, and stopped to paint the view. O, my fingers almost froze…
I came home and sat down to look closer at my painting. And it spoke to me about the future, soon to be unfolded, events. The road from the mountaintop refers to the return of Jesus, our Savior; He is coming to reign upon the earth. All the events surrounding His return have deep spiritual meaning and are hidden from the natural eye, as under a covering of snow.
See the vineyards on both sides of the road? It seems as though the vines are asleep, like the rest of the world, but they aren’t. Naturally, in winter, vines undergo critical internal work, which prepares them for the growing season ahead.
Their transformation happens beneath the surface. From the outside, you can only see that their leaves fell off, and the vines appear rather naked, stripped of any chance for recognition. On top of the hard conditions, lack of nutrients and danger of freezing, their vine dresser starts pruning them. Hm… It looks like it cannot be worse, and all hopes are crushed. But exactly in this condition, they extend their roots into the ground and sip nutrients from the soil. And this process becomes the key to unlock their fruit-bearing season. It's quite an amazing phenomenon, isn’t it?
John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he takes away, and every branch that beareth fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
2Cor.4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
This is my conclusion: There are believers who will allow the Lord to circumcise their hearts. They will put forth an effort to get grounded in the Word of God and to get all the faith necessary to stand in the hard conditions of the days ahead. These are the ones who will first usher in the return of our Messiah and King, when He will come to take up His throne and to reign over the nations. Just like these vines with their branches up in the air, though simple and unattractive to the natural eye, they are standing in great anticipation, with their arms lifted up in praise.
Morning Pathway
This scene is from Eilat, in the south of Israel. I was there. It's so hot that it’s hard to breathe. During the day and during the night, there is almost no difference at all. It feels like there is no way to escape the heat. To enjoy life there, everyone runs to his air conditioner.
Speaking naturally, every person is busy to condition his life with whatever can help him forget the lack of fresh air. It works, but only inside a building and only near an electric plug. In my opinion, conditioning isn’t an answer. You cannot stay within walls all the time.
As I was thinking about this, the Lord led me to realize an amazing phenomenon. Every morning, just before sunrise, there is a very special moment of cool breeze. It feels divine. Of course, it’s longer than one moment, but it feels like that because it’s really short.
This moment is like a revelation. I wake up, and Jesus, my Beloved, reveals to me His presence in a special, unique way. The revelation of His essence is poured forth like perfume, and His life-giving virtue permeates my world. Fresh air, indeed, - the best I could ever breathe. If only I could catch that moment and see Jesus in the morning, I would perceive the Pathway He opens.
Songs 1:2 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
Ps.63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsts for thee, my flesh longs for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.
In simple obedience to what He reveals to me in the morning, I walk my entire day.
If I catch that moment and step onto the pathway, my whole day will be fresh and fragrant. This is the supernatural life of God’s children. Even while we are still here on earth, we can walk the Heavenly Pathway, which the Lord Himself opens to us every morning.
If you’re thirsty for His presence and hungry for His Word, you will find it.
Presented in the Picture
Life is… whatever you make of it. And you will make whatever you see, like painting a scenery. And what you would paint depends on your perspective. And your perspective depends on where you are.
For this painting, I sat down on the grass, by the side of the road. This was my view. Looking at a vast space, I wondered, How can I fit this many “elements” in one picture? It felt as if every house, every stone, and every tree looked at me and pleaded, “Please, don’t forget about me! Please, present me in the picture!” What a responsibility! Some of their voices were more demanding than others, especially the one of that large, important house on the hill.
Maybe my description sounds childish to you. I won’t get offended. But aren’t we all like this in real life? As humans, we want to assure our place in “the picture” and often push others away. I remember my school years, when the photograph was taken with my schoolmates… but that’s another story. Same dynamics, though. We all desire to be recognized, or, at least, to be seen.
Here is a simple solution. God, our Maker, sees everything and His “picture” is the only one that really counts. He sees every one of us with our aspirations, challenges, activities. Yes, you are included. But there is more…
Jesus, the only Begotten Son of God, has come to redeem humanity from the bondage of sin to the Father. He is the beginning of the New Creation.
2Cor.5:17 Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Time, as we know it, is drawing to an end; the old creation is coming to a close. Only what is found in Jesus Christ will remain into eternity. The life will be only in Him.
1Cor.15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Make sure you are in His “Picture” of the world to come. Get in through faith in Jesus. The Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21) will be open soon.