WEATHER OR NOT

With winter approaching quickly, sometimes I think it would be nice to be able to hibernate like the chipmunks and bears. Just kidding. I love most winter days. God lavishes us with His beauty in all seasons. May your holiday season be filled with thanksgiving to our Creator and Savior in and for everything—even the monotony of cloudy days and the intensity of blizzards.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Fattening Up

The way our resident chipmunks are eating, you’d think they’re wondering if it will be their last meal. Bears, too, are focused on fattening up with high-protein and fatty foods before they head for their hibernating holes.

Sometimes we humans stuff ourselves with food, too, and with pleasures—as if we might lose out before dying. But what if we knew with certainty that today would be our last day on earth? Would we act differently with our parents, spouse, children, and grandchildren? Would we speak different words to them? How would we treat those we disdain or despise? Would we make amends for our past offenses?

What choices would we make regarding our money? Spend it all on fun and fancy things? Give it away? Hide it so certain others could not benefit from it? What about food and drink? Would we indulge ourselves, like the critters preparing for hibernation, knowing our last meal was imminent? Would we regret not fulfilling our Bucket List, or not spending more time with our family?

We all have the option of “fattening up” on anything we choose. Our selfish choices are endless—and worthless in the end. The Bible says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

The Bible is filled with ways we can spend our last days. Once we know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, getting to know Him better is a priceless, meaningful way to live out our lives. If we fatten up on His Word and obey it, we won’t miss out on His greatest gifts of love, joy, and peace now and forever. Fattening up on God’s Word will help us toward that end.

“You do not know what will happen tomorrow,” James 4:14 tells us. “What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

James continues: “Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8) Seeking Him in the Word will help us not only to know Him better, but to trust and love Him.

Lord, help us consider each day as our last so the love, peace, and joy You’ve given us will be evident to everyone we meet. Give us the desire to fatten up on and obey Your Living Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.