Family

Australia right now feels like a far away place. People surround us and our days go by just the same as they would anywhere else in the world. However, the distance that only an ocean can fill, relentlessly swells up and down between us. No matter how connected we are to the people around us it’s Jesus who is our Rock. As we cling to this rock I sense waves smashing our feet. They attempt to rip us off the rock face so we fall into ourselves. When I finally look around I see all the others clinging and I’m glad to be beside them all on that rock. We have such wonderful friends and family “focused on things above not things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” (Matthew 6:33)

I can see where I want to be, I sense that my position in life isn’t a weightless one. My actions and words have the ability to produce fruit. Fruit in a biblical context: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22)

I want love not hatred or bitterness, Joy not gloom, peace not turmoil, patience not quick agitation, kindness not cruelty, goodness not indecency or wickedness, faith not constant worry, gentleness not a short temper, and lastly I want to have self-control and not become a victim of my own passions. Only the Lord can help me out with this and only through the blood of Jesus Christ am I made righteous. I can’t do this on my own but God made it possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. What mercy and compassion I’ll never completely understand but I accept it with tears on my face for the wrongs I do. And tears on my heart for the grace I’ve received. Thank you for this priceless gift.

With this said it’s not an easy thing to commit to. Following Christ takes sacrifice but it’s worth it. Death is in this world and is as real as the chair I’m sitting on. It is not a nice thing; it’s not a pleasant thing. It is a horrible, horrible painful, excruciating reality of our sin. I don’t know how to react to death, I really don’t. I feel joy knowing when someone truly knew Christ, although I am not the judge, I sense in my being pure joy when I’ve heard someone confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and live their life for Him.

Preach the gospel to yourself everyday, and then go out and tell others.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

C.