Corona Devo 3237

                                            

...But I never saw the good side of the city

'Til I hitched a ride on a river boat queen

Big wheel keep on turnin'

Proud Mary keep on burnin'

Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river

~Proud Mary, Creedence Clearwater Revival


You and I have the opportunity today to purchase space travel trips, for our own personal enjoyment. If we have the money, there are companies that provide commercial suborbital space tourism flights, allowing passengers to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and to view Earth from the edge of space.  If we have the means, it's also possible to arrange private astronaut missions to the International Space Station via SpaceX transport.


These fantastic and "futuristic" travel options and realities are all possible today!


And yet....


While our restless (human) nature has an insatiable hunger for "what's next", our spiritual nature is most at peace when we (simply) connect with Christ and remove all of the bells and whistles that the world endlessly taunts us with.


Adventuring as an astronaut sounds interesting, but have you been on a paddlewheel boat lately?

 


Being on a riverboat/paddlewheel boat is a bit like stepping back in time, because paddlewheel boats reached their height of function and fun from the 1830's to 1880's in the United States.


Stepping back (to simpler things) holds an allure and enchantment and peace that futuristic travel cannot boast of (until we travel to Heaven).


And speaking of Heaven, the paddlewheeler's simple pleasures reminded me of the simple (but timeless) truths of God's Word in the Bible.


We strive and we starve for "what's next", but the Lord has charted our days and our paths, and (most of us) don't have to go to the moon to find purpose and joy.


It's right here in front of us. If we will (simply) seek Him.


Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  ~Proverbs 3:5-6


We fill our schedules and our priorities and our minds with complicated intentions and expectations, but bigger/newer/more is almost-never better, when we are referring to God's plans for us.  


Let's slow down today, and step back in His time.

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.  But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’  ~Jeremiah 6:16 

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let's not say ‘We will not walk in it’, to our Lord. 

Let's slow down today.  Let's step back today.  Let's ask for (God's) ancient paths (which we can find in His Scriptures), and let's ask where the good way is, and walk in it today.  And let's find rest for our souls today by following God's path instead of the world's. 

It is not complicated or pious or unattainable.  God has made our path to Him uncomplicated and spiritually-attainable. 

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  ~Micah 6:8  

God has made a way to Him for us.  
And Jesus made that Way simple.  (It is us who try to complicate it.)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  ~John 14:6 

~~~

Let's slow down today and allow our hearts to settle down with our Lord.  

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
(2) He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 
(3) he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 
(4) Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  ~Psalm 23:1-4 

There's nothing wrong with progress, but there is everything right about God's peace in our souls, and we will never attain it in the constant striving for "what's next".  

...But I never saw the good side of the city...'Til I hitched a ride on a river boat queen...


God's peace is in the pause.  And sometimes, in the paddle.


Blessings,

sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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