DANDELIONS

Like some other flowers, dandelions close their proverbial eyes at night. Come morning, they open into beautiful, butter-gold blooms that are a feast to our eyes. I've decided that since they're too prolific to think about eradicating, I might as well enjoy them. Now when I look out at the golden sea in my yard, I smile. Actually, I laugh, content that I'm not alone in hosting the 'lions, for every field and yard and roadway is covered with them. Perhaps part of their purpose is to remind us that God even uses pernicious weeds to show His glory.



ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair


Keeping the Veil Open

I recently wrote about the curtain, or veil, of the temple being torn in half when Jesus died on the cross, allowing total access to God. No more blood sacrifices are required for our sins, since Jesus sacrificed His own blood on our behalf.

The veil has been opened. But sometimes we close our hearts to that fact. For instance, when we plan our day—and our future—without asking God what He wants us to do, we draw the veil closed. God tells us, “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man (nor in ourselves, I add), in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish.” (Psalm 146:3-4)

When we hurry into the day without feeding on God’s Word and communing with Him, we draw the veil closed. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord; Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” “Direct my steps by Your Word ….” (Psalm 119:133)

Refusing to believe that God can bring something good out of our terrible situation closes the veil over our heart. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

If we believe we don’t deserve God’s love or aren’t good enough to be accepted by Him, the veil closes. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Conversely, if we believe someone else doesn’t deserve God’s love and salvation, we’ve closed the veil. “Judge not, that you be not judged … why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:1, 3)

When we simmer and stew and take offense to what someone said to or about us, the veil closes. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Lord, You’ve opened the veil so we can have fellowship with You. Help us to keep it open every day, regardless of our circumstances and feelings. In Jesus’ name, amen.