By Viv White
When we see the ‘water reflection’ of the Blacked-back Jackal in this photo, we still see this animal for what it is: –
Jackals are very quick and agile, and I sometimes thought they were on a death-wish the way they pester lions and hyenas at kills, darting in and stealing scraps, one swipe from a lions paw or a yap from a hyena’s jaw would kill a Jackal on the spot.
How about us? When we look at our ‘reflection’, as Christians walking in this world, are we like the unchanging Jackal, or are we being transformed by the renewal of our minds – the way we think and act – Read Romans 12.
The Book of James is also a classical letter of advice to Christians.
James 1:16-18 (GW)
“My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled. Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon. God decided to give us life through the word of truth to make us his most important creatures.”
James 1:22-25 (GW)
“Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s teachings say.”
It is written: “God will bless those who are awake and ready”.
My wish for all is to be ‘spiritually awake and ready’, and ‘being transformed by the renewing of our minds’ as we head into the new year of this world – Blessings for year 2013.
Only God can keep us from falling and make us pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forevermore, God is worthy of glory, honour, power, and authority. Amen.