I awoke this morning to discover the cold temperatures outdoors had frozen our water pipes. (Of course, failing to close off the vents in the crawl space under the house probably didn’t help much either.) This meant no traditional showers before work, much to my daughter’s dismay. My primary concern was about making coffee. Hmm…coffee vs. stinky arm pits…coffee it is!
So, right off the bat this morning, I’m faced with the challenge of how to respond to this water dilemma. My daughter was NOT enthusiastic about taking a sink bath with bottled water I had stored in the fruit cellar awhile back but she managed. My husband was “appointed” to go under the house to check things out (only after donning his artic gear) to confirm the pipes were indeed frozen. The thermometer reads 5 degrees farenheit. I must admit I was the only person in the house who laughed about this.
Looking to the bigger picture, I can see how God truly is in everything-- yes, even in frozen water pipes. After all, He is looking to see how our hearts will respond even in the difficult times. And this situation doesn’t even qualify as truly difficult, merely inconvenient. This brought me to the place of pondering our human desire to be comfortable at all times. We get upset when we aren’t comfortable, don’t we? I know I get really crabby when it’s too hot, especially when the thermostat inside my house is set at 75 degrees and it feels like walking in an oven. I like it cooler in the house, I sleep better and can avoid being crabby by getting my sleep. Here, my husband echoes a resounding, “AMEN”!
Comfort – a state of enjoyment or contentment; implies the absence of anything disturbing, painful or distressing. I should point out here that the word “complacent” holds a very similar definition with the word “contentment”. Comfort is highly overrated and complacency should be avoided at all costs. Both are reflections of our human nature, our old nature. Doesn’t the Bible say we are to “put off the old man”?
“…you’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you have stripped off and put in the fire. Now, you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with His label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete…”
Colossians 3:9-10, The Message Remix
I love verse 14! It exemplifies the reflection of Christ that we are supposed to be in ALL things, even with frozen water pipes!
“And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
With that in mind, how can I possibly get upset over frozen water pipes? I guess I could have fussed and fretted but what would that have changed? Those pipes wouldn’t have become unfrozen because of that would they? This morning I may not have all the comforts of home that I am used to but I am also reminded of the millions of people in this world who have no home at all. No running water, no heat to warm them from the brutal cold and no food for their growling stomachs. Be thankful at all times for what you are blessed with. Get over not being in control and celebrate the giver of life, Jesus Christ! Don’t allow your circumstances to freeze up the love of Christ within you.
Returning to comfort, complacency and control….three things to be avoided! My Bible says we are to rest in God but I don’t find the words above anywhere describing His nature. Comfort breeds complacency and apathy, it makes us stagnant. Control keeps God at arm’s length because we have taken our free will back upon ourselves, thinking we can solve this thing better than the Creator of the universe. We are warned against lukewarmness in Revelation 3:
I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot – far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make Me want to vomit. You brag, “I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone, oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.”
Revelation 3:15-17, The Message Remix
My challenge to you (and myself) is found in this old hymn, I Surrender all:
All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.
All to Jesus, I surrender. Make me Savior, wholly Thine.
Let me feel Your Holy Spirit, truly know that Thou are mine.
All to Jesus, I surrender. Lord I give myself to Thee.
Fill me with Thy love and power, let Thy blessing fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all.
All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
So, right off the bat this morning, I’m faced with the challenge of how to respond to this water dilemma. My daughter was NOT enthusiastic about taking a sink bath with bottled water I had stored in the fruit cellar awhile back but she managed. My husband was “appointed” to go under the house to check things out (only after donning his artic gear) to confirm the pipes were indeed frozen. The thermometer reads 5 degrees farenheit. I must admit I was the only person in the house who laughed about this.
Looking to the bigger picture, I can see how God truly is in everything-- yes, even in frozen water pipes. After all, He is looking to see how our hearts will respond even in the difficult times. And this situation doesn’t even qualify as truly difficult, merely inconvenient. This brought me to the place of pondering our human desire to be comfortable at all times. We get upset when we aren’t comfortable, don’t we? I know I get really crabby when it’s too hot, especially when the thermostat inside my house is set at 75 degrees and it feels like walking in an oven. I like it cooler in the house, I sleep better and can avoid being crabby by getting my sleep. Here, my husband echoes a resounding, “AMEN”!
Comfort – a state of enjoyment or contentment; implies the absence of anything disturbing, painful or distressing. I should point out here that the word “complacent” holds a very similar definition with the word “contentment”. Comfort is highly overrated and complacency should be avoided at all costs. Both are reflections of our human nature, our old nature. Doesn’t the Bible say we are to “put off the old man”?
“…you’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you have stripped off and put in the fire. Now, you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with His label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete…”
Colossians 3:9-10, The Message Remix
I love verse 14! It exemplifies the reflection of Christ that we are supposed to be in ALL things, even with frozen water pipes!
“And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
With that in mind, how can I possibly get upset over frozen water pipes? I guess I could have fussed and fretted but what would that have changed? Those pipes wouldn’t have become unfrozen because of that would they? This morning I may not have all the comforts of home that I am used to but I am also reminded of the millions of people in this world who have no home at all. No running water, no heat to warm them from the brutal cold and no food for their growling stomachs. Be thankful at all times for what you are blessed with. Get over not being in control and celebrate the giver of life, Jesus Christ! Don’t allow your circumstances to freeze up the love of Christ within you.
Returning to comfort, complacency and control….three things to be avoided! My Bible says we are to rest in God but I don’t find the words above anywhere describing His nature. Comfort breeds complacency and apathy, it makes us stagnant. Control keeps God at arm’s length because we have taken our free will back upon ourselves, thinking we can solve this thing better than the Creator of the universe. We are warned against lukewarmness in Revelation 3:
I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot – far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make Me want to vomit. You brag, “I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone, oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.”
Revelation 3:15-17, The Message Remix
My challenge to you (and myself) is found in this old hymn, I Surrender all:
All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.
All to Jesus, I surrender. Make me Savior, wholly Thine.
Let me feel Your Holy Spirit, truly know that Thou are mine.
All to Jesus, I surrender. Lord I give myself to Thee.
Fill me with Thy love and power, let Thy blessing fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all.
All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
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