There are those days through life that come to us that seem very special. I remember such a day when I was a kid. It was my birthday and I remember my dad asking me if I would like to go to work with him.
My dad was running his own painting business at the time. I thought of it as a privilege to be able to go with him for the day and help him. Even though I had to work, just being able to be with him made it worth it.
At the end of the day I came home to a special supper. I actually don’t remember what we ate. What I do remember is the ice cream that my mom and brother made for me. That was back in the day where you had to crank it by hand. There was definite work to having ice cream.
This memory makes me think about our relationship with our Father in Heaven. We need to so desire to be with Him that it doesn’t matter that we need to work, it is worth it all because we get to be with Him.
I also was thinking about the ice cream. If you left out one of the components for making a good soft but firm ice cream, it would never firm up. You have to have the ice and salt. But that isn’t all, if you just let it sit there with the ice and salt you would not get the results that you want. You have to crank the hand, by hand, it doesn’t automatically happen. If you crank the handle and you have no salt or ice you will crank for a long time and you will feel like you are just spinning your wheels, never accomplishing what you’re wanting.
The same is true of being a Christian, it does not happen automatically. If you just keep “cranking” (reading your Bible) you will not grow without “salt” (prayer) and “ice” (meditating on Scripture day & night). It does take work, but as you continue to work, your character will become soft and firm in the truth. Only then will your character be so reflecting Christ that when people have been with you they will feel like they have tasted a wonderful “ice cream” (the presence of Jesus).
Dear Father,
Help us to realize, as we work in cooperation with You, the outcome is beautiful. Continue to prompt our hearts to know that without prayer we cannot understand the Scriptures and without memorization we cannot have Your Word hidden in our hearts so that we may not sin against thee.
Thank You for Your unfailing love and patience with us as we learn and grow.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
It may seem like work at first to do these things, Prayer, Study God’s Word, and Memorize. But I have found that as I consistently do these things, it no longer seems like work. I long each day for my time with God and if something happens I miss it, I can feel my “ice cream” melting. Keep steadfast and it will change your life.
Love you all.
What things do you do that you find meaningful in spending time with God? What things have you found that draw you closer to Him?