As dusk approaches, my little hummingbird rejoices in the remaining few minutes of the day. After one
last drink at the feeder, he rests on ‘his’ branch in a nearby apple tree-his
nightly perch, where he watches the sun go down. A feeling of melancholy sweeps over me, that
place where loneliness and loveliness meet.
I am profoundly aware of the longing in my heart for my heavenly home,
even as true joy not only anchors me in the present, but also prepares me for
the future limitless joys of being with Christ.
It’s not as though I am preoccupied with death; on the
contrary, I am preoccupied with life and the kingdom of heaven here and now. The
apostle Paul says that this “kingdom of God is not about eating or drinking,
but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 14:17). Paul
goes on to say: “For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and
approved by men. So then let us pursue
the things that make for peace and the building up of one another.” (14:18,19).
Why should I waste my time on things that, in light of
eternity, have no value; indeed are downright destructive in nature? This joy in the Holy Spirit precludes uncharitable
judgment and jumping to wrong conclusions. It won’t allow misery to rule the day or
jealousy to rear its ugly green head, or let petty pronouncements get turned
into gossip columns. Enough
already!
Can I not find ways to
encourage the saints, rather than discourage and tear people down? Can I be more like my hummingbird, enjoying
the everyday events that are so beautiful and so touching?
In Philippians chapter four, verse eight, Paul pens these
words: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if
there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell
on these things.”
Such a bittersweet place to be; this living here, and yet
waiting for Jesus to make all things new.
Henry van Dyke’s hymn, penned in 1907: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” is
a good antidote for a moping heart and a disquieted mind. A modern-day version
of this beautiful hymn sums up my delight in God’s creation, my joy in knowing
Christ as Saviour, and my desire to cultivate this fruit, this Holy- Spirit- joy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJRuCWFmxMQ
