Son rays...

Three weeks ago, my hubby and I were basking in the warm, golden Jamaican sunshine. Ahh. It seems so long ago. The snow, wind and breathtakingly low temperatures of these past weeks have made vacation a distant memory.

Earlier this week my car thermometer measured -6.

That's right.

Minus.

Six.

Degrees.




I long to be back in our tropical paradise. So as I sit by our wood pellet fireplace and feel its heat warm my soul, I daydream about the sandy beach of Little Bay, Jamaica. As I close my eyes, I can picture the golden sunsets across the Caribbean Sea. And I remember a special sunset where God spoke to me through his glorious creation.

(This pic was a different evening and didn't quite capture the path)

One late afternoon, we lounged on our beach chairs and watched the sun slide slowly toward the horizon. The sky was clear, the breeze was warm and the sea was calm. Several minutes before sunset, the sun's reflection blazed a path across the water and onto the damp sand of the shore, directly in front of us. The mesmerizing strip was narrow, but undeniably straight. Perfect and beautiful, it seemed to invite us in. The path shimmered only for a minute or two, and then the golden ball dipped into the sea, extinguishing the path in its wake.

God reminded me of how he calls us. He asks us to follow the narrow road. The one road. The only road to the Father. His path is blazing with the light of the Son. Jesus is the way. The only way. Many will be invited, but few will follow this narrow path to the Father.

We're told about the path in the Bible. First, here, in Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV):

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

And then we are encouraged to follow it again in Ephesian 4:2-6 (The Message):

I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

Quit lounging and join the journey.

Lost...

People watching is an enjoyable sport. It's portable. You can do it almost anywhere. And if you're interested, you can be a participant.

During the last few weeks, I've been an active member of the people-watching team. I observed people at the airport. I watched folks on airplanes. I peered at the Heinz 57 variety of humanity as they sunbathed on sandy stretches of beach. And, truth be told, if I could be coach of this team of humanity, I would change the rules of the game.

I'm not sure when it happened, but the game of life seems to have lost its joy. People are self-absorbed. Teens, seniors and youngsters are obsessed with technology. Society is falling short in the interpersonal skills department. People are lost. People have lost direction. People are searching.

I came to this conclusion after much reflection. Two stories from my recent people watching experience disturbed me and convicted me to share my thoughts. The first story occurred over a period of many days. During our vacation, we often walked the two plus mile stretch of gorgeous, nearby beach. The Bloody Bay Beach is home to several all-inclusive hotels. My husband and I do not stay at all-inclusive resorts, and the following observation is not meant as a slam for those who do. But on our morning walks, as we strolled past the multitude of vacationers, the lack of laughter and smiling faces caused me pause. To be sure, there was noise. Lots of it. Reggae music blasted. Entertainment directors offered invitations over loud speakers for guests to participate in a multitude of activities. Water skiing speedboats circled the bay. Interestingly enough, people just didn't appear happy in this amazing, tropical paradise. With all their phones, tablets and thousands of dollars invested in their vacations, they seemed...emotionless.

The second story occurred on our travel home. Orlando, Florida was our stopover airport and the gates were loaded with young families fresh off their Disney vacations. Because we flew Southwest Airlines and couldn't check-in online for our international flight, Randy and I were among the last to board our flight. We ended up in aisle seats angled across from each other. My seat afforded me an unobstructed view of a young mother travelling with her family. She was seated next to her school-aged daughter and her slightly younger than one year old was on her lap. Her husband and other daughter were seated in front of her. Prior to take-off, she talked on her phone well past the announcement to "turn of all portable electronic devices." As she snapped her phone shut, she opened her iPad and played a game the entire duration of our two and a half hour flight. No words were shared as her school-aged daughter worked on math homework. When baby whimpered on several occasions, mom discreetly breast fed her while not missing a move on her game. Upon landing, with her area completely littered, young mom barked at her husband for not helping with baby, and never uttered a word to her children.

I'll be the first to admit, technology is great. I enjoy FaceBook. I have an iPhone. I relax by surfing Pinterest and Etsy. What bothers me is the lack of personal communication, the mindless distraction and the endless pursuit of things. Society is searching for meaning in life. And we are searching in all the wrong places. We pursue happiness and try to find it in things, technology and money. And we are losing.

So if I could be the coach of this team, I would instruct them on the importance of this game called "Life." I would ask them to change their diet and alter their focus. Our Lord God is the owner of this team. A healthy meal of His Word is important to the health of our bodies, minds and souls. Our inward focus needs to change by lifting our eyes toward our Heavenly Father. When we change our game plan, we will find direction and pure joy.

Psalm 119:36-40The Message (MSG)

33-40 God, teach me lessons for living
    so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
    my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
    I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
    and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
    invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
    promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
    but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
    preserve my life through your righteous ways!