We all know the saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words”.
And isn’t this true of the beautiful creation that surrounds us? Can’t we grasp just a faint bit of the awe and wonder for the creator by seeing the beauty of His creation? Doesn’t this world itself demonstrate to us both the beauty and warmth of the light in contrast to the cold, separation of the darkness?
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
Psalms 19:1-6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.19.1-6.NLT
Isn’t it so true that an example live out in front of us speaks louder to our hearts than words or instruction spoken to us?
So it shouldn’t be a surprise to us that God reveals Himself in the creation itself. It shouldn’t surprise us that His best way for instructing us want just a written set of laws, but to come in the flesh and walk it out as an example of what the law alone never quite demonstrated in words. And it shouldn’t surprise us that it is not quite as important that we know how to talk about Jesus as it is that the example of our life’s actions demonstrate Him to others.
God has made a home in His children for the Holy Spirit to dwell. And if we are His, if we have this annointing of the very nature of Christ alive in us, shouldn’t it burst forth from us bearing the fruit of His nature into our lives each day?
Ephesians 5:18 tells us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And it doesn’t mean to just be filled once. It doesn’t mean that we are to be a glass of still, stagnant water – but that we should constantly be flowing and stirring within these living waters. And doesn’t that have an impact on more than just our words? Doesn’t that have an impact on more than just a few hours of our life that we “tithe” to God? Doesn’t it make us an athlete eager to train and prepare and run this race to the finish?
If we are rising up from death and running our course through this life, how could our life not be a picture that speaks a thousand words through our actions?
Have you been trying to run under your own power, friend?
Yes, this is our prideful nature to strive in hopes of earning credit or favor or reward so that we might boast about ourselves – but that is the very flesh that we are escaping as He becomes greater and we become less. Let go of that old man and His ways, friend.
Know the eternal treasures like hope, faith, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Know those eternal treasures that only the Lord God Almighty can offer you, and understand the foolishness of trading eternal blessings for those temporary things the world calls blessings.
What do you want your life to be filled with, friend?
What story do you want the motion picture of your life to tell the world?
What do you truly desire most in your life?
Where is your life taking you?
You might as well be honest with yourself and figure out the answer today, friend – rather than reaching the end of your race and being surprised by where your life has taken you.
Are you wandering around aimlessly, or do you have a clear direction and focus and purpose?
We don’t have to have it all figured out, but we do need to decide on our final destination and start taking steps in that direction.
Will you walk with me, friend?
Are you going my way?
Can we blaze a trail together?
Could the light from the actions of our lives together shine brightly across the sky of this life – demonstrating the path to the only final destination worth reaching?
Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Then isn’t a life example walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh worth so much more than words?
Harold J. Ballinger 