15 Years

A few weeks ago I celebrated 15 years of being a butcher. In that timespan I have worked in three different shops. Starting out just wrapping meat to now doing everything start to finish. I owe all of that to Richard Rumsey. He took a 17-year-old kid and put a knife in his hand and said, “Meat can’t cut itself!” We would talk every day after I left Kroger, from the most ridiculous of things to music, which was mainly what we talked about, and also the things that matter! He quickly became my other dad, which earned him the name “Pop.”

Then one day last year I got a phone call from his ex-wife during church that he had passed away. I lost it outside the church. A wave of emotions fell over me! I thought, “I wish could have just talked to him one more time or something!” Once I gathered myself, I got in the truck and turned on the radio and Jim Croce was playing. The song was “Tomorrows Gonna Be a Brighter Day.”

I guess that’s true for all of us even in the darkest of times where it may seem like we can’t go on. Tomorrow is always gonna be a brighter day if we have Christ at the forefront of our lives! I know that Rumsey was a believer in Christ and one day I’ll see him again and it will be just like old times, but until that time I’ll just keep waiting and carrying on the tradition and art of being a butcher. After all “meat can’t cut itself!”

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. -Proverbs 27:9, NIV

Brokenhearted

For every happy occasion where we gather in groups, there is someone among us who just can’t feel the joy. They may smile to cover their pain and sorrow, but it’s still with them. We all need to be more aware of our friends and family’s heart condition.

Are those who are hurting in need of a kind word or a quiet listening ear? It’s easier to avoid other people’s feelings and just look at the smile on the surface. However, God wants us to comfort those around us, to share His love to those in need. Psalm 147:3 reminds us,

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Other people’s feelings can be messy and complicated. Sometimes we don’t know what to say or what to do. That’s where trust comes in. Trust the Lord to give you the words to comfort, the wisdom to help, and the courage to reach out! Psalm 34:18 reminds us,

The Lord is near the brokenhearted, He saves those crushed in spirit.

I challenge you (and myself), the next time we gather in a group, to seek out someone who needs a little extra. Look for the person who is hanging back and engage them in conversation. Share the love and comfort God so freely gives.

Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10

Dwell

The Bible has a lot to say about what we do with our mind and where our thoughts dwell. What we dwell on each and every day is of much importance. Dwell can mean “to remain for a time”, “to keep one’s attention directed”, or “to live at specific place”. Consider for a moment, where do your thoughts dwell? What keeps your attention? Where does your mind rest and remain for chunks of your day? Dwell on these verses for a moment.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:2, ESV

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. -Colossians 3:2, ESV

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, -2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. -Philippians 4:8, ESV

We should be intentional about what we are thinking about on a daily basis. The thoughts we allow to dwell in our mind affect both our feelings and our actions. Take stock of yourself. If your mind was a house, what sort of street would it be dwelling on? Are you living anxiety avenue or worry way? Or are you living on confidence court or peaceful place? You can’t choose every thought that comes knocking on your door, but you do get to choose what street you live on and which thoughts you invite in to stay for a while.

What would happen if each day you made a concerted effort to dwell on the things of God? How might it affect your attitudes and your actions? Make sure God has space to dwell in your thought life. Now remember,

Your mind is a garden.
Your thoughts are seeds.
You can grow flowers.
Or you can grow weeds.

Don't Fret About the Mess, Follow the Master

Some of the most meaningful and worthwhile things in life take work. Think about the things you appreciate and value most in life. Maybe you think of your kids that you have raised, a cherished pet, a person you invested in, or a project you have completed. What kind of effort did they require? If you think long enough, I bet you will remember that there were some messes along the way. Here is a bit of wisdom that reminds us of the perspective we ought to have when it comes to messes.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.  -Proverbs 14:4 (ESV)

If you have animals, they’re going to have to be fed and if you feed them, you’re going to have to clean up the mess that inevitably follows. If it’s an ox that you have, the food and the mess are all the bigger. But what is the payoff of having oxen? You have the strength that is required to bring in an abundant harvest. In order to get an abundant harvest, there will be work and messes to clean up along the way. Of course, you could forgo the oxen and the mess altogether, but then there would be no harvest to look forward to.

There are lifechanging things that God asks us to pursue. There is a harvest that the Master wants us to be apart of, but we can’t be detoured by potential messes or be afraid to get our hands dirty. Think for a moment. Do you often fret about the mess? Have you ever missed out something good God had for you because it seemed like too much work? What are you focused on, the mess or the Master?

The best things in life take work and trust me they are worth it. God has given you the divine privilege of working with Him to help people find life, hope, and salvation in Jesus Christ. The people God wants you to reach will sometimes make a mess, but don’t fret about the mess just keep following the Master. There is a harvest that’s coming.