I used to be a pretty-good gardener.
My mound garden looked like this:
Last year, my tiny deck garden had 4-ft zinnias.
This year, unable to garden, my perspective has changed dramatically.
The mound garden: Note late-blooming goldenrod, swaying majestically. Spearmint lends its fragrance, and grasses enrich the texture.
My deck garden is even more extraordinary!
Early on, a greeny plant appeared, center stage.
And then it grew. And grew. It’s actually wild lettuce, now way taller than I. They can grow to 12 feet.
My perspective on life is also changing. What to make of the assortment of Bad Things going on in the world? Hurricanes. Pandemic rules that keep changing. Afghanistan toppling. Violence across our own country. Crises du jour. How do I deal with it all?
I repent. I worship.
In the book of Daniel, King Belshazzar threw a party and had a bit much to drink—using cups from the
Jewish Temple. (Not smart.) Suddenly, a hand appears, posting graffiti on the wall—Mene, Mene, Tekel, Uparsin. WHAAT?? Daniel is summoned to translate and gives Belshazzar the bad news: “You’re cooked, O king! You deserve what’s coming. Party’s over.”
That very night, King Belshazzar is killed, and the Medes and Persians move in, faster than the Taliban.
Today’s landscape is frightening. What does it all mean? In Daniel’s day, God’s ghostwriting was bad news for the Babylonian crowd and not much better for Jews. How about us today?
After new-King Darius took over, Daniel, the good guy, donned his sackcloth and ashes and prayed. “We, your people, have brought disaster on ourselves. We’re an object of scorn. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! ‘Our sins they are many; Your mercy is more!’ “
In these chaotic times, I have an all-consuming love for God and feel secure in His hands—even were I to end up dead. It’s not safe to be a Christ follower, these days. Martyr is an all-too common epitaph.
The Christ who writes on walls—with His own blood—is the only one who can change our perspective:
“Beloved! Come to me! I will give you LIFE!”
What’s the writing on your wall?
Comment below, or email egus@me.com. I love hearing your responses.
Wonderful, Elie! All of us need to be reminded of this.
Hard stuff to think about, but The Ancient of Days has the last word.
Yes and Amen. Much Love and Prayers, my mentors and friends
Only Jesus, always Jesus…
Come quickly oh Lord God of redemption.
Thanks, Charlie. This was a hard one to write, but I felt it needed saying. The whole world seems to be turning upside down. And YES—come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Ellie,
Thanks for your insights. I have been writing a lot about prophecy these days and hope to soon publish a book, “Birth Pains: An Introduction of Bible Prophecy.” Love and prayers for you and Jim, Doug
Thanks, Doug. I’m thick into the prophets, right now, and I look forward to reading your book. : )
Thank you Ellie. These coming times will either “Make us or Break us”. Yahweh is separating out His own.
Kande’s picture looked familiar. Yes – I saw him in the Voice of the Martyr’s magazine – a monthly read that is more heart-wrenching yet joyful than I can describe. These people give me courage. So do you.
You got it, Marcia–Voice of the Martyrs. Appalling to read but so necessary to a full perspective on world-wide current affairs.
Hi Ellie!
We just returned from three idyllic weeks on Prince Edward Island reconnecting with family and friends. A place where coronavirus virtually does not exist. A place where “normal” seemed like heaven on earth!
We bought two beautiful cemetery plots overlooking the harbor right under a fledgling maple tree where we will be surrounded by generations of family.
So, I believe the writing on the wall from God is currently this…
“I have given you a wonderful life, Sue. Enjoy every minute of it because you never know when it will end. At the same time, look forward to a future even more glorious! A future with Me in eternity in a place even more beautiful and bucolic than you can even imagine.
In the meantime, be available. People need you much more than they’re willing to say. Be receptive and obedient. Try to be like Jesus to everyone you meet today.”
I admit that’s a tall order, but I must keep my focus on Jesus, rise to the challenges, and rest in His unfailing, constant love. Good to hear you are doing the same! Can’t wait to see you and Jim soon. My entire garden turned to weeds while I was gone and some of them are very interesting!
Love and big hugs, Sue 💕
I buy into your God-writing! Sounds wonderful, as does your cemetery view! Thanks much for your insights, on this life and the next.
My perspective has also changed dramatically in the past year or so. I’ve come to realize that my love of home ownership is waning. What was once my castle is increasingly becoming a burden. Something is always breaking, and maintenance is draining my savings to the point where I must face the reality of it slipping away from me. Next year, I may have to move to something more manageable, but I don’t relish parting with the nice things I’ve accumulated and the memories that go with them.
The other experience that shocked me into a new perspective was an assurance that we are the creation of an all-powerful Creator. Hugh Ross’s book, Improbable Planet, was a game changer for me. I never fully appreciated the myriad conditions that make intelligent life on this planet possible. Using simple probability mathematics, a rational person can only conclude that there’s only one planet earth, and it’s statistically impossible that our home was a cosmic accident. Ross’s book is straight-shooting science, through and through, and I was surprised to learn that the author is a devoted Christian. He opened my eyes, and I’ll never be the same. Still, the mystery of why God permits the suffering the world is now experiencing doesn’t lend much comfort.
Your essay on vines reminded me of my own war against the worst of the worst, Poison Ivy. Those vines are relentless and have completely taken over my beautiful Willow Tree. Sometimes I wonder how the tree survives the grips of this massive, entangled invasion that’s beyond any hope of controlling. I call it a war, but that’s past tense. The war is over, and I lost. Another collection of vines are struggling up my lamp post—Morning Glories I planted late July—perhaps too late to see blossoms. Still, the vines themselves are a thing of beauty, unlike the evil Poison Ivy that’s trying to strangle my Willow Tree. I do hope they blossom. Even a single flower will delight me, sooth my wounded soul, and give me a sign of hope for the generations to come. I’ll be praying for this tiny miracle.
Hey Ellie, I do read your blogs. I just don’t always find the time to comment. I have been thinking a lot about all that is going on. I am not an emotional person but sometimes I almost want to cry when I hear of the next inconsistency and injustice to come our way. But then I step away from that and look at all that God has done both in my past and long ago and my perspective becomes clearer. I console my kids with the fact that God is in control. I tell them that although we cannot see God’s plan (and may never see it in this lifetime) that He can see how His plan totally plays out. And I am convinced that He does have a plan. We tend to think that what we are witnessing is new but if you study God’s Word we see that there is nothing new under the sun. Prayer is the only tool most of us have right now. But what a mighty tool it is! Take care. Hope you are feeling okay. Love, Kathy
Thanks much, Kathy, for just READING my blogs! That means a lot. And yes, we are sort of blown away by all the bad stuff going on. This morning, I read Daniel 9, right after he had finished praying. Gabriel comes and says, “As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” That grabbed me. When we pray, we get answers. The spiritual realities come into view. God IS watching over and caring for us.
Amen Ellie. I like your reminder that, like Daniel, in the chaos of our fallen world, our responsibility and privilege always includes to repent and to worship. I join you in this. Thanks again for writing so beautifully.
We forget that much too easily. These days, those activities seem to be the ONLY way to address our chaos with any degree of confidence that it might do some good. Angelic appearances such as Daniel experienced help us see Who holds Ultimate Power.
As usual, a tasty serving of comfort food in turbulent times.