This little boy's triumphant smile and the rather uncomfortable kitty trapped in his fist has probably made you laugh! It captures a very real part of life, doesn't it? People, especially younger people, are often oblivious to how their actions are affecting those around them.
Do you, perhaps, have your grip on something that God is calling you to release? Don't make the mistake of thinking your lack of obedience to the promptings of God only affects you. No man is an island unto himself!
Remember Achan? His sin was private (or so he thought), but it removed the blessing of the Lord on their battle at Ai, a city that should have been easy to conquer. It cost him his life, and the lives of his family, plus the destruction of all that he owned! ( See Joshua 7.)
Or think of David, who was responsible for the death of 70,000 men after numbering his people in spite of Joab's warning (see II Samuel 24). There are many examples in Scripture of how the choices of ONE person had a huge effect on the lives of those around them. But before you get too discouraged, remember that it's not just the bad choices we make that affect others. The good choices we make have just as large of an impact on the Lord's dealings with us, our families, our churches and even our country.
Look at the lives of Esther, Joseph, Daniel and Mary. These young, strong hearts saved thousands because they were willing to trade the pleasures of this world for the riches of another. Next time you read their stories, take note of how the measure of their surrender to God determined the measure of their victory on earth.
The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. All it takes is ONE heart fully devoted to the Lord, ONE life willing be laid down for the sake of others, ONE person to catch the attention of GOD and be the vessel of His power, strength and saving mercy.
The world has yet to see what God will do with a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to the Holy Spirit.
Henry Varley
"Say cheese, kitty! CHEEEEESE!"
Labels: BATTLES, SUCCESS, VICTORY
