The Blue Church

I have started calling the prison where I work my “refinery”.

What does it mean to refine something?

“to remove impurities or unwanted elements from a substance”

Well, if you will allow me to be the “substance” in that definition, then what I am saying is that the prison is being used by God to remove impurities and unwanted elements from me.

Lately I have been finding that only God’s Word satisfies me. For many years, my time in God’s Word has been accompanied by a “devotional” in which an author would expound upon the scripture reading, ask questions to prompt further thought, and offer an application. I have been richly blessed by this format, and the many authors who have encouraged my faith and taught me much.

Years ago I had a co-worker who was a joy to be around. We spent many years together joking, laughing, sharing our lives, and helping each other through difficult times. He was a blessing to me, especially because he was a believer. One of the reasons we would laugh so much is because we would do things to each other to drive one another crazy.

How many tasks can you handle at once?

One?

Two?

Maybe three?

What about God?  Hmmm … let’s see what He is capable of ….

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,^[a]
    the world and those who dwell therein,
² for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers. – Psalm 24:1-2

For those of you who regularly read my blog, you know that my last one was about how we were all set to go on vacation (to Florida). Well ….. as it turned out, a sizeable obstacle (in the form of Hurricane Dorian) emerged. Early reports were that it was going to touch down in Florida and that where we would be vacationing was in its path. So, using the best information we had, we cancelled everything and had a stay-cation. Wouldn’t you know it? Dorian never hit Florida.

Vacation – “a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest or relaxation.”

It’s helpful for me to focus on the words “a period of time”. Why? Because even after all of these years, I still put too much into the idea of a vacation. I start looking at my calendar months before I am supposed to leave. I say things to myself like, “How good will it be to have all that time away”.

What’s that grumbling? It could be your stomach, but it is more likely the sound coming from someone who is around you. People can be difficult, and complain a lot. Perhaps you are surrounded by many “grumblers”. What are you to do?

Moses was surrounded by many who grumbled, even though he was doing all that He could to lead them in God’s ways.

Exodus 17 tells us the account:

I like to get things done. When I have deadlines that I can’t meet, it really bothers me. That’s the way it is for me at work. I have responsibilities that are assigned, but I can’t get to them because of all the other work I have to do.

Perhaps you can relate?