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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Leave It For God
September 13, 2007
Have you ever had one of those weeks where every song you sang came
out sounding like the blues? That pretty much describes the place I've been
at this week. There is no reason for it. There is nothing traumatic
happening in my life. On the contrary I've had a great report from my
doctor, life at Church is off to a great start this fall and my oldest daughter
came home for a visit.
Over the years I have talked to a number of people who were going
through periods of depression and we explored what was happening in
their lives, I could never understand why they were so sad. These were
good faithful, religious men and women. As we chatted I always
wondered if there was something they weren't telling me. I felt there had
to be a reason for what they were experiencing.
Well, the truth is that sometimes living life gets to us. Life has been
described by some as a daily battle. We all face trials and challenges of
varying degrees every day. We fly right over most of the hurtles but every
once in a while we come to a test that seems to sap our strength and leave
us feeling drained. Even when we are winning the war, there are bound to
be days when we suffer the casualties of a prolonged engagement. So
what do we do? Where do we turn?
Last night I took my dog, Praise, for a walk. It is part of our nightly quiet
time together. I put on my new ipod and listened to Cal's hit parade and
Praise got right to work trotting down the street exploring the sights and
smells of our neighborhood. As I was walking down the street I realized
that everyone had put their trash out for the pick up in the morning. I
actually chuckled as I thought about the absurdity of this. All week long
we collect trash and put it in bags and cans. Then on Thursday we put it
out on the curb and wait for someone to come by and take it away. It is
funny, but in the morning it is always gone.
Last night I looked up and saw the stars overhead and was reminded of
King David's words from Psalm 121. "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where
does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of
heaven and earth." I think part of the reason we end up feeling discouraged
or depressed is because we carry too much garbage around with us. It
bogs us down. It overwhelms us.
The good news is that God calls us to leave our trash outside our doors
each night. He has promised to help us clean up our lives. Every night he is
willing to swoop in and pick up whatever we leave there and carry it
away. He calls us to give him our burdens. Jesus said, "Come unto me all
you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest." So what
are you waiting for? It is time to clean house and cast our burdens on the
Lord. Go ahead and do it. You will feel better in the morning. I know I do.
God bless! See you in church. Cal.
September 13, 2007
Have you ever had one of those weeks where every song you sang came
out sounding like the blues? That pretty much describes the place I've been
at this week. There is no reason for it. There is nothing traumatic
happening in my life. On the contrary I've had a great report from my
doctor, life at Church is off to a great start this fall and my oldest daughter
came home for a visit.
Over the years I have talked to a number of people who were going
through periods of depression and we explored what was happening in
their lives, I could never understand why they were so sad. These were
good faithful, religious men and women. As we chatted I always
wondered if there was something they weren't telling me. I felt there had
to be a reason for what they were experiencing.
Well, the truth is that sometimes living life gets to us. Life has been
described by some as a daily battle. We all face trials and challenges of
varying degrees every day. We fly right over most of the hurtles but every
once in a while we come to a test that seems to sap our strength and leave
us feeling drained. Even when we are winning the war, there are bound to
be days when we suffer the casualties of a prolonged engagement. So
what do we do? Where do we turn?
Last night I took my dog, Praise, for a walk. It is part of our nightly quiet
time together. I put on my new ipod and listened to Cal's hit parade and
Praise got right to work trotting down the street exploring the sights and
smells of our neighborhood. As I was walking down the street I realized
that everyone had put their trash out for the pick up in the morning. I
actually chuckled as I thought about the absurdity of this. All week long
we collect trash and put it in bags and cans. Then on Thursday we put it
out on the curb and wait for someone to come by and take it away. It is
funny, but in the morning it is always gone.
Last night I looked up and saw the stars overhead and was reminded of
King David's words from Psalm 121. "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where
does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of
heaven and earth." I think part of the reason we end up feeling discouraged
or depressed is because we carry too much garbage around with us. It
bogs us down. It overwhelms us.
The good news is that God calls us to leave our trash outside our doors
each night. He has promised to help us clean up our lives. Every night he is
willing to swoop in and pick up whatever we leave there and carry it
away. He calls us to give him our burdens. Jesus said, "Come unto me all
you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest." So what
are you waiting for? It is time to clean house and cast our burdens on the
Lord. Go ahead and do it. You will feel better in the morning. I know I do.
God bless! See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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