Go with the flow
Day 659, Monday, June 1
Hebrews 12:4 – 13:25
Growing up, summer always meant at least one trip to Astroworld in Houston. From the first time I went there, my favorite ride was the Bamboo Shoot.
Even if you didn’t get to Astroworld before it shut down, you’ve likely seen a similar ride at just about any amusement park: Riders sit in a boat built to look like a hollowed-out log that floats through a flume, usually ending with a big splash that provides a welcome soaking on a hot summer day.
Through many times of riding it I learned to watch how, through the twists and turns, the water would establish a course that intensified through the day. By leaning in to the established course you could get a smoother and faster ride; leaning against it meant a bumpy ride.
This illustrates what is meant when the author says in verse 12:11, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” That is shortly followed with, “Make level paths for your feet.”
I don’t believe that God puts pain and suffering into our lives; those are the result of a world dominated by sin. But, in the words of Romans 8:28, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God doesn’t create the bad times, but shows us how to grow through them. “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.”
God can redeem even the bad things that happen to us to produce a harvest of righteousness and peace. When we learn the lessons God teaches us we can lean into the course he has set for us.
In Acts 26:14, when God called Paul, God said to him, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Goads were pointed sticks use to urge an ox in the right direction; by kicking against them, the ox only increased its own pain. Like resisting the established flow of water made the Bamboo Shoot ride rougher, resisting God’s path makes the already challenging course of life harder.
In Hebrews 12:14-15 we read, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
We often think that holiness is difficult, requiring us to fight against our nature. Remember, though, that we were formed in the image of God; holiness is our true nature—sin is the distortion that came later. Living as holy people brings peace; it is resisting that holiness that brings bitterness and causes trouble.
Monday meditation
Psalms 131:1-3
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.
Prayer focus
Calm and quiet me, O Lord, that I may find peace in obedience to the life you created me for.
-Rev. Mark Fleming