Just recently (in fact, for my birthday!), my pastor's wife graciously gave me a copy of the book "Evidence Not Seen" by Darlene Deibler Rose. I've only gotten to chapter two of this delight, but the "Dedication" page of this book stopped me. In fact, I didn't even make it out of the first paragraph... I was so gripped by the simple message:
"An old Roman coin was found on which was a picture of an ox, one of the servants of man. The ox was facing two things, an altar and a plough. The inscription read, 'Ready for either.'"
In reality, I too am faced with the same options. An altar. A plough. Am I ready for either?
The other day I went out to lunch with co-workers and the topic came up as to why so many people dread their 50th birthday. The general consensus was that the realization has sunk in that there isn't much more time to serve the Lord. Perhaps another 10, 20, maybe 30 years.
One of my co-workers wrote on my birthday card last year that if I served the Lord faithfully until I was 70, then that would leave me with 17,155 days. Well one year has passed since she wrote that card, and now I'm down to 16, 790 days.
An altar.
A plough.
Am I ready to face either with the remaining days that I have? Will my 16,790 days (maybe more, maybe less) result in giving my all on an altar or faithfully following a plough?
Lord, make me ready for either...
"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings."
~ Proverbs 5:21 ~
2 comments:
This is powerful! It gives me a lot to think about. And I think I'm going to go figure up how many days I have left till I'm 70 (it'll be a lot less than yours! LOL).
I read Evidence Not Seen about a year ago. It was difficult (as in challenging) yet inspiring. I walked away feeling like I would almost be willing to undergo all she went through in order to grow as close the Lord as she did.
Post again when you've finished it! I'd be interested in your reaction to it after you've gotten to the end.
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