I promise I am not a procrastinator. I just don't want to do it right now! |
Tuesday, May 15The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forth coming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.The worst had happened --- everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could this happen to me?" he cried. Early the next day, however,! he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied. It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it. You say, "It's impossible". You say, "I'm too tired." You say, "Nobody really loves me". You say, "I can't go on." You say, "I can't figure things out." You say, "I can't do it." You say, "It's not worth it." You say, "I can't forgive myself." You say, "I can't manage." You say, "I'm afraid." You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated". You say, "I don't have enough faith." You say, "I'm not smart enough." You say, "I feel all alone."
|