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Listen while you read: "Blest Be The Tie That Binds"1
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Isaiah 55:8-9 – "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV)
For my granddaughter's fourth birthday, we went to Jurassic Forest, a theme park about 45 minutes from our new home. As we walked along the various paths searching out and discovering life-sized, animated replicas of numerous dinosaurs, I noticed something else. The whole area was built on a woodland swamp. The paths were raised boardwalks above the swampy water, while the woods lent the perfect staging place for the lifelike dinosaurs. The boardwalk also sported information signs and pictures of resident plants, insects, and small mammals that thrived within the swampy area.
Wow! I thought to myself. Where most people would have written off this property as basically useless wasteland, one person had seen a much higher and wider vision. What was useless to most was a marvellous opportunity to another.
Sometimes, we, too, can see our own situation or a situation which lies ahead of us only as difficult, useless, or hopeless: a swampy, unappealing wasteland of life which we wish we could navigate around, over, or under. God, however, is calling us to go through it. With the guidance of His Holy Spirit, Who is able to give wisdom freely to all who choose to call upon Him for help, we, too, can have our hearts, minds, and eyes opened to see opportunities which we may never have seen before to learn and grow and shine for God's kingdom as we are led to think outside the often narrow box of humanity and discover a whole different way of looking at our situation: God's way.
Let us therefore endeavour to be prepared to have our thoughts, ideas, and ways stretched by the One Whose thoughts are not our thoughts, and Whose ways are not our ways. By so doing, our swampy situations may become magnificent opportunities that will change for the better not only our lives but also the lives of those around us, who will be amazed and encouraged to see just what God is able to accomplish amid the most unlikely situations.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that when we are stumped, when we don't know what to do amidst swampy situations, You do, and You are able and willing to assist us by opening our hearts and minds to ways that we have never thought of or even dreamed about. Help us to remember this and to be quick to turn to You to see opportunities instead of wastelands. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Hi Lynne
Another interesting message.
Blessings.
Thank you. Blessings.
I enjoyed the devotional, and especially appreciate the prayer at the end.
This message couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for me. Thank you.
Problems related to aging can be seen as a swampland – but they also bring us closer to God.
Thanks for the encouraging and challenging message.
Blessings,
(ON)
Good morning, Lynne,
As usual a very thought-provoking devotional, thank you.
Blessings on you and yours.
Thanks, Lynne, for a wonderful analogy. I really appreciate it and I will share this with those I know who have young children or young grandchildren and then help them to apply this to their life.
Blessings.
Thanks, Lynne.
You encourage me to turn widowhood into an opportunity to encourage others, either by telephone or in person.
May the LORD keep blessing you to bless others.
Greetings Lynne and many thanks for another of your interesting devotionals with a special analogy. We are so fortunate that our loving Lord is ever there to assist us and raise us out of unpleasant situations. Blessings for your writings and keep enjoying attendance to events with your granddaughters in your new location.
I am 73. With His loving help and comfort, have navigated a most horrible storm, and some very rough waters over the years.
The past five months have been swamp, like I’ve never experienced before. Just wading out now. Yesterday, a missionary spoke at church and I was amazed at how His message touched my soul and gave me strength. And now His message through you, the same.
Thank you. I always look forward to your devotionals.
Good morning, Lynne. It’s all about timing!
Thanks for this message. I am having a rough time of late. I wish I could blame it all on medication, but I have always had a sweet tooth. I have been asking God to help me with this. I want to extend my transplant for as long as possible. Thanks for your message of encouragement and reinforcement.
Hope you are doing well.
Blessings, and thanks for your excellent devotionals.
Good morning, Lynne,
I didn’t know about Jurassic Forest. What a fun way to spend your 4th birthday party. I know my sons would have loved that. It is neat how you figured out that someone was very creative to think about the amazing way they could transform a “swamp forest” and provide education on dinosaurs and the value of wetlands.
It is so true that difficult situations with God’s help can turn out to be so different when God helps our perspectives to change. Each time, it strengthens our faith and provides good sharing to encourage others.
Thanks for sharing and reminding us that God has reasons that we have “swamps”. Blessings.