"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)
Listen: One Sonic Society, "Never Once," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUSBUtjWaDo
I have been doing a lot of local traveling these past few weeks: the Long Island Expressway, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Belt Parkway, the Grand Central Parkway, Jackie Robinson Parkway -- plus dozens of local streets in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. Driving in the New York City metro area is challenging enough; but it appears due to the bad weather that potholes have blossomed like dandelions overnight. Traffic is slowed to next to nothing as cars make their way through the minefield. Unlucky motorists find their alignment is thrown off, not to mention all the tire damage.
Potholes, as I understand them, (my apologies to the better informed) develop because the top layer of the road, asphalt, develops cracks due to weather and road wear. For us in the North, water seeps underneath the underlying dirt and gravel, freezes when temperature drops, causing the water to expand and create or widen cracks. There are probably more reasons, but this makes the point for me. Roads need constant care if they are to serve us properly. Potholes are a part of life and repairs are built in to the maintenance cycle.
After traveling several streets that look like a Swiss cheese highway, it gave me pause to reflect. What about my spiritual potholes? What influences from the outside (i.e., negative thinking, fear, encounters that trigger resentments) and seeping into my spirit, through the cracks in my soul? What about those frozen chucks of anger or bitterness that cause my faith to buckle? My spiritual potholes slow me down and can cause my spiritual to go out of alignment with God. How often do I check out for spiritual potholes?
We all have spiritual potholes to one degree or another. We are human. It just means we should sign up with a good maintenance plan. We should spend time every day, especially in the morning or evening, examining our day. Was there a conflict, a miscommunication, a cross word? Have I been selfish? Don't waste time: repair that hole with forgiveness, repentance, or making amends. Spend time every day in preventative care: read the scriptures, pray, do good, call on the Lord's strength to put a spiritual seal, or shield, in place when temptation or frustrations strike. Cracks, even potholes, in our spirit will happen. We are fortunate, however, because God right there for us, quick to heal and prompt to fix any breach.
Have I checked for potholes in my spirit? What am I doing to repair them?
Pray: "God, fill the holes that sin and spiritual neglect have created in me. Fill me with your spirit and love."
Listen: One Sonic Society, "Never Once," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUSBUtjWaDo
I have been doing a lot of local traveling these past few weeks: the Long Island Expressway, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Belt Parkway, the Grand Central Parkway, Jackie Robinson Parkway -- plus dozens of local streets in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. Driving in the New York City metro area is challenging enough; but it appears due to the bad weather that potholes have blossomed like dandelions overnight. Traffic is slowed to next to nothing as cars make their way through the minefield. Unlucky motorists find their alignment is thrown off, not to mention all the tire damage.
Potholes, as I understand them, (my apologies to the better informed) develop because the top layer of the road, asphalt, develops cracks due to weather and road wear. For us in the North, water seeps underneath the underlying dirt and gravel, freezes when temperature drops, causing the water to expand and create or widen cracks. There are probably more reasons, but this makes the point for me. Roads need constant care if they are to serve us properly. Potholes are a part of life and repairs are built in to the maintenance cycle.
After traveling several streets that look like a Swiss cheese highway, it gave me pause to reflect. What about my spiritual potholes? What influences from the outside (i.e., negative thinking, fear, encounters that trigger resentments) and seeping into my spirit, through the cracks in my soul? What about those frozen chucks of anger or bitterness that cause my faith to buckle? My spiritual potholes slow me down and can cause my spiritual to go out of alignment with God. How often do I check out for spiritual potholes?
We all have spiritual potholes to one degree or another. We are human. It just means we should sign up with a good maintenance plan. We should spend time every day, especially in the morning or evening, examining our day. Was there a conflict, a miscommunication, a cross word? Have I been selfish? Don't waste time: repair that hole with forgiveness, repentance, or making amends. Spend time every day in preventative care: read the scriptures, pray, do good, call on the Lord's strength to put a spiritual seal, or shield, in place when temptation or frustrations strike. Cracks, even potholes, in our spirit will happen. We are fortunate, however, because God right there for us, quick to heal and prompt to fix any breach.
Have I checked for potholes in my spirit? What am I doing to repair them?
Pray: "God, fill the holes that sin and spiritual neglect have created in me. Fill me with your spirit and love."
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