Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 27:17 (04/27/23)
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TITLE: Using God’s Nutrients to Grow | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
05/04/23 -
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Three weeks ago the area was barren. The floor of the woods resembled a brown rug. Dead branches scattered across the ground due to the ice and cold. The limbs on the trees were bare and lifeless.
The trees and brush need help to grow and mature. It all starts below the surface. We are blind to the activity, but there is movement and growth. A believer’s growth comes from within. We may find ourselves in a valley, suddenly the Holy Spirit nudges us. So what are we going to do?
Nature has its nutrients to help with its growth. The snow and ice melt into the ground. The sun warms the air and the ground. Growth begins.
As Christians our nutrients are the Holy Spirit our counselor, God‘s word, prayer, other Christians, and a loving Almighty God. The God who will always be with us, and will never forsake us.
There’s been times in my life when I faced adversity and I didn’t think God was with me. I failed to see His plan and purpose. Self-pity overwhelmed me and I asked God, “why me?” I felt as if I was being picked on.
I called my friend Tim and we met for lunch. I blurted out. “I feel like I’m drifting on this river of self-pity.” I ask myself, “why me?”
Laughing, he said, “sounds normal. But, why not you?”
That didn’t make me feel good. He asked me, “What have you been thinking? Where’s your focus?”
I glanced at the ceiling. “I have been thinking of some of my biggest blunders in life.” My voice weakened and I squirmed in my seat. “I would change the scenarios of these past blunders to make myself come out on top to make myself look better.”
“So how does that make you feel when you change the past?”
“It feels OK for a couple minutes.” I bow my head. “I don’t understand why I do this?”
Tim suggested we pray for guidance in the situation.
After we prayed, Tim looked at me and said, “The Holy Spirit spoke Isaiah 65 to me.” Tim told me that the Lord told Isaiah the former troubles are forgotten and he would create new heavens and a new earth. Tim looked me in the eyes and said, “If the Lord forgets about the past why don’t we?”
I pondered that question. I said to Tim, “By changing the past and making myself look better I would feel better about myself. It gave me a chance to be a better person.” There was a long silence. I shook my head and said, “That’s very prideful.”
Tim nodded. “That pride is keeping you from trusting in the Lord. Trying to change the past to make yourself feel or look good is taking time away from God. You are making this an idol.
Running my fingers through my hair, “I have to put everything in its proper place. The only thing that is going to make me feel good is to be filled with joy by putting Jesus first again.”
We hugged and said goodbye. Driving home I felt like it was spring time in my life coming out of the valley of dreariness. Feeling like those trees and bushes outside my office the leaves adding color and life to the area. I saw Tim at church the following Sunday. He told me how calm and composed I looked.
Just as nature uses the nutrients from the sun and rain to grow. I felt blessed using the nutrients God gave me; my friend Tim, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Word and prayer.
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Well done,
Blessings~
Well-deserved EC win! Congratulations!
Thank you.