One of the places I walk is a trail around the town reservoir near my home. The trail has lovely water views, views of the Hartford skyline and of course lovely trees. This fall the trees have been particularly striking as they displayed their fall colors.
New England in the fall is breath taking. It is hard for me to understand how anyone can be in New England in the fall and not believe in an all powerful Creator who displays His handiwork in such glorious ways. And yet, the vast majority of people in New England do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is one of least religious regions of our nation. Millions live in the middle of all this beauty yet are in danger of losing their souls for eternity.
The other day I was taking my morning walk and was meditating on this truth when I looked up in a tree and saw a huge hornet's nest. The maple tree was ablaze in all it's fall glory, but hidden in all those glorious leaves was this hornet's nest. The nest was about 2 feet tall and hanging from a branch in a maple tree and filled with danger. I was struck by the thought that this was a vivid reminder of the contrast between danger and beauty that exists in our world. So many people are on edge of a spiritual cliff. The devil wants them to miss the Creator behind the creation so they fall off the cliff. The devil wants them to feel the pain of the hornets of life and become bitter at God, though the devil is the one actually causing the pain. The devil wants people to miss out on the most beautiful thing of all, which is faith in Jesus Christ, and he will do anything to distract people from finding that faith.
I have dedicated my life to helping people in New England see the hornet's nest and recognize what it is so they can turn to Christ before it is too late. Would you join me in prayer for spiritual revival in New England? Would you consider adding feet to your prayers through joining us in our efforts? The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.
Lord, help us share Your love with those who live in New England. Help us help them avoid the hornet's nest of sin and find Your love instead.
------------------------------
Amen.
ReplyDeleteI'm re-posting this today!! Great post and exactly what we need to think about.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave.
DeleteCan't say it any better. What an picture of the plight of this world. Can we see the danger in the beauty or our we bling to our families and neighbors who are lost and going to hell.
ReplyDeletethanks for our comment. Let's pray!
DeleteThank you for the post! Sometimes it is the danger that looks beautiful and inviting on the outside, and only after you are inside do you realize it is a hornets' nest.
ReplyDeleteSo true brother, so trueIllinois1967
DeleteGood insight
ReplyDeleteThanks Dr. Kim
DeleteThanks, Terry. The trees are beautiful. I would like to amend you message by saying the people all over the world need a personal relationship with the Lord. I was surprised to hear that about 70% of the people here in Onslow County are not churched and do not know the Lord.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your dedication to those in New England.
Thanks Karen, you are right, the whole nation needs Jesus.
DeleteA great "sermon" for all of us. I still miss the beauty of the leaves but am so glad that I have such good memories of them.
ReplyDeleteAmen and thanks for your kind words.
DeleteWE ALSO HAD A BEAUTIFUL FALL BUT ALSO WE HAVE SEEN OVER 10 OUTSTANDING RAINBOWS THIS SUMMER AND FALL THAT IS THE MOST WE HAVE EVER SEEN. WE HAD ONE OF THOSE HORNET NEST THREE YEARS AGO IN THE PEAK OF OUR ROOF, IT WAS HUGE THAN WHEN FALL CAME A BIRD BROKE INTO IT AND TORE IT ALL TO PIECES. I HAD TO PRAY EVERY TIME I WENT OUTSIDE IT MADE ME SO NERVES BUT THANK GOD THEY NEVER BOTHER ANYONE AND NEVER CAME BACK. I SENT YOUR BLOG TO A FEW PASTORS THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.
ReplyDeleteEllen,
DeleteI sure would love to have seen those rainbows! And I'm glad you didn't get attacked by the nest near your roof. Thank God for birds!
I love those bee's nests! Leave them alone and they will leave you alone. The Lord created them as part of His balance of nature. Whether pollinating or destroying harmful grubs (depending on who is in the nest!) they provide for a need.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the typical response from someone is as you have presented it, TERROR! and I understand how you have used it in your message. I do pray for revival every day. No matter what the election outcome is, judgment will continue on our nation and the world until we return to Him!
They are interesting to look at from a distance, but dangerous up close. But isn't that how sin is too? It catches our attention from a distance, but as we get closer to it, we begin to realize the danger.
DeleteTerry, what a wonderful way to explain your thoughts. I would love to take that walk and see all of the lovely things that you see every day. I have a very hard time walking very far now. I use a walker or cane when I go outside.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. If the Lord ever lets you visit us in New England again, I'll try to convince the park ranger to take you around the trail in his electric buggy.
DeleteTerry: This is the kind of encouragement that we in Alabama need! Shelby county is one of the most unchurched counties in the state. AND populated with many prosperous and younger couples. Thanks and praying for God's blessing in my birth state!
ReplyDeleteHappy to serve in CT and praying for AL
Delete