COFFEE ON THE DOCK

On a whim I signed up for metal shop in eighth-grade. I learned that iron, a relatively soft metal, is turned into hardened steel by a purification process that includes, adding elements together, putting them under a lot of pressure and severe temperature changes. The iron is repeatedly heated red-hot, pounded and pressured, then placed in water to cool it quickly. This tempering process presses the ore’s molecules tightly together making it stronger than ever. Character is built the same way. No one enjoys the conflicts that forge us, yet it is the heat, pressure, pounding and cooling process that gives our character hardened steel strength. Lord God, I marvel at Your wisdom and power to transform. Make and mold me strong for the battles ahead. Refine my heart and shape my life to do Your will.  

One of the methods Satan utilizes to paralyze our faith is to blow on the coals of self-centeredness and fear within us. We are offered blessing by our Heavenly Father with this promise: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Whether it is forgiveness, time or material help, what we make happen for others God makes happen for us! But the “Father of Lies” steals our blessing and purpose by turning us toward jealousy and presumptuousness. Proverbs states: “The leech has two daughters-Give  and  Give!” Lovers are givers and have the joy of the LORD; Users are losers and have the grief of miserly stinginess. Blessed LORD, help me live with open hands and an open heart. Make me an instrument of blessing.  

Emotional excitement often masquerades as spiritual fervor, being dazzled can feel like “being led”.  It is a laudable desire to want to strike out for higher ground, but it is not good to have zeal without accurate discernment and wisdom, nor to be overly hasty and miss the right way. Shortcuts are tempting, but frequently lead to detours or dead ends. Too often we wait until after we have set our course and begun the journey to check the roadmap. The Word and Spirit of God must not be used to support our decisions; they must qualify, inform, guide, cleanse and direct them from the very start. Father, keep me on the path You have chosen. May my heart and mind stay in constant surrender to Your divine management . 

I am far more familiar with the “Valley of the Shadow of Death” than the “Mountain of Transfiguration”. Like an unwelcome stranger hanging too close, nagging apprehension is the constant companion of faith. Faith is not exercised with an absence of doubt; rather, each step forward in faith is a repudiation of doubt. Ultimately we must learn that faith does not rely upon circumstances, it is reckoning upon God’s unbreakable Promises and His unwavering love. Paul’s final exhortation to the Corinthians reveals so much: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all  that  you  do  be done with love.” Powerful! When you love God more than yourself faith works beautifully. Lord God Almighty, stormy gales, sinking sands, nor impenetrable walls can match Your command. Take my hand as I traverse shadowy trails and bind my heart to Your unfailing promises.  

Not one moment is trivial. Time is a gift from the Alpha and Omega, therefore it is holy; the Lord Himself is present within each millisecond, frontloading it with purpose and power long before it ever appears.  As Ecclesiastes declares: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts.” And we are commanded: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  Therefore I should discern the time allotted me with great care. Past discernment will not do since I must now discover the mystery within this moment and allow it to unfold completely. Lord Eternal, “Who Is And Who Was And Who Is To Come”, deliver me from attempting to turn mysteries into formulas or treating time with indifference. Teach me to patiently make the most of my allotted days. 

Choosing the right companions in life is a primary element of success. While I prefer to be accompanied by those who make me feel better, to accomplish meaningful objectives, I must partner with those who challenge me to perform better. At the end of life’s journey I will stand before God so great care must be taken in today’s choices. Proverbs reveals: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.” A  true friend is one who strengthens my spiritual resolve and provokes me to draw me closer to God. Heavenly Father, lead me to relationships that honor You. Thank You for the blessed gift of comrades who put Your will ahead of all else. Help me be such a man for others. 

There is nothing fancy about a roadside fruit stand; its treasures poised for the taking. But its bounty will never belong to those whose rush by without stopping. So it is with wisdom. Proverbs states: ““Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city” And again: “Wisdom is the principal thing;   therefore  get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Daily wisdom is not a luxury; it is an absolute essential. Each morning my mind is still half-filled with yesterday’s leftovers with more pouring in upon awakening. It is then I must brake hard and seek God’s voice.  Lord, You know my ways. Far too often I steam ahead without sufficient regard to you promptings. Forgive me and teach me to listen carefully every moment.