Associate Pastor Ron Witbeck, Resurrection Life Church Big Rapids
Courtesy photo/Ron WitbeckOur minds are filled with ‘Thoughts’ everyday as we remain on this side of heaven! Some ‘Thoughts’ are of the world, while those most important are from our Bibles, sermons on Sundays, time spent in prayer, or the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.
We may have ‘Thoughts’ wondering how God can listen to all the prayers that are being lifted up to Him in a moment of time, or even more all of those prayers coming daily from every corner of this world! While thinking on this, personally realizing when two people are talking at the same time we can fail to understand either of them.
God created ‘Thoughts’ as we gaze into the heavens during the night hours. We see all of those stars that have been held in place ever since they were created. However, some of those have become shooting stars, only adding to our amazement and excitement. In certain areas it has become harder to see their brightness because the lights of the world have dulled the view.
I remember growing up on our farm when there were less distractions, then lying on the ground at night looking into the stars above wondering what was beyond that darkness? Rockets to the moon during that time were not thought of.
In those early days, our ‘Thoughts’ were on becoming cowboys/cowgirls, police officers, firemen, or what we would do when we got our drivers license, the freedom that it held for us! We would think about being able to take someone on a date, or even graduating from High School. Worldly thoughts!
My ‘Thoughts’ in the 60’s after graduation consisted of maybe going to college, getting married, getting drafted and participating in the Vietnam War on the other side of the world. This could have caused a dark shadow over my future dreams.
Today as it was in the past our Bibles give us hope, ‘Thoughts’ of Jesus coming to be a light in the darkness, or have we allowed the world to dull that light?
From our Bibles we can find some answers, in Isaiah 55:8-11.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
"It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to."
This can leave us with ‘Thoughts’ of the truth that God is still in control when we trust, love, and honor Him by accepting His free Gifts. Take everything to God in our prayers! ‘Thoughts’
— Ron Witbeck is an associate pastor at Resurrection Life Church in Big Rapids.
