More Than a Rock
My friend Cindy took this picture. At first glance it appears to be just another rock formation. However, if you take a closer look, you can see 3 hearts. You see, Cindy has learned to take a deeper glance at nature. God often speaks to her while she is out enjoying His creation. This photo not only spoke to her of God’s love in the shape of a heart, but the 3 hearts placed together were a representation of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to her. God is so cool like that, He whispers His love for us in so many ways.
When my best friend’s children were little, she called the ice cream truck “The Music Truck.” She mentioned to her children how nice it was for that man to drive around our neighborhood and share his music.
Not realizing the tasty treats the “music truck” had hidden inside, her children were content to simply enjoy the happy music that emanated from this amazing vehicle.
Then one day while we were at their house, my husband, who the children called “Uncle Ed,” stopped the amazing music truck and purchased ice creams for all the children. Suddenly, the children’s eyes were opened to the wonders inside and while they still enjoyed the music, they enjoyed the deeper things even more. The music called to them, but the ice cream drew them. Uncle Ed had opened their eyes to a whole new realm. 😊
As the children, now adults, were sharing this memory the other day, I got to thinking how the ice cream and the rock stories exemplify the things of God.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good…”
When we first come to know Him, we are satisfied with just the basics. But, as we grow in Him, we should long to know Him more. We should no longer be satisfied with just the “milk” but should grow to desire the “meat.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:12)
We should no longer be satisfied with just receiving, but should grow in those things God has for us to do and give out.
Similar to looking at nature and not taking the time to appreciate it, or being happy just listening to the music of the ice cream truck, if we simply grow satisfied with coming and sitting in a pew each week, we will become complacent and lukewarm and never fully enjoy all that God has for us.
God’s word speaks often of how the Lord feels about those who are lukewarm.
1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Matthew 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Make sure to put yourself in places where you are able to experience more of God.
I can pretty much guarantee that once you experience more of His presence, you will never be satisfied with “less than” again.
As you grow and learn more, ask the Lord what He would have you to be involved in? Stepping out is a huge part of your growing experience. You not only partake of the ice cream, but you help to drive the truck and distribute its tasty treats. Whereby, you see the joy in others as they begin to desire more.
“Heavenly Father, I pray that you will open the eyes of our understanding. Fill us with your spirit of wisdom and revelation. Put a cry in our hearts to know you more and lead us to places that will help us to grow in that. We love you Lord and we thank you that you love us too much to leave us the way we are. We thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for each person that reads this today. I ask that you will show them all that you have for them, and help them as they step out of the boat to walk in it.” In Jesus mighty name, Amen
Photo credit: Cindy Smith, Check out more of her work on FB at “Traveling with Jesus.” Cindy is an amazing photographer who loves to encourage others by sharing her photos and words of encouragement.
