Rubik's Cube...easily solved in the right hands!

Do you remember the Rubik’s Cube? That colorful cube that gets all muddled up and then it takes a while to get it straightened out? For some people it can take a very long time, for others it’s done in a few minutes flat. 


I am glad to declare that I am a Rubik’s Cube in God’s hands and if you choose to follow Him…so are you! 


I think we are all born perfectly solved, but the devil, well, he is like those people that come if you have one in your hands and say “can I mess it up, pleeeeze” except that the devil of course does not say please. He just does it. I believe that from the time you are born, he is out to mess you up. But and here comes the big “BUT”…God is a Master solver of Rubik’s Cubes people! He can straighten out any mess and if you will let Him…that’s when you become whole again or as we Christians call it - “saved”. 


Jesus saves your messed up life, but just like with the Rubik’s Cube you have to get the base right first and that part is not all that difficult yet. Most of the time, when you start on a Rubik’s Cube you can get one side straightened out by yourself. For us, getting the base right means that you PRAY. 
But then it gets a little more complicated and you are best of to follow some of the given algorithms that you can find in the little instruction booklet that comes with the cube when you buy it. 


Well, so it is with us since the bible says “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jer 6:16 NIV) – there you go! That’s your algorithm for life. 


Follow the ancient paths, keep following Jesus and He will solve all your problems and make you whole. I know only too well, that the way there is not always easy or at least it does not look that way. Just before you solve the Rubik’s Cube, when you align the last corner pieces, the cube goes through a phase of being “totally muddled up” again. The instruction booklet warns you not to get distracted by that as it will solve itself soon after. 


Wow! That was so beautiful and encouraging to me! Because I feel pretty muddled up right now and I know that God has been working on me for a pretty long time already. But that means that I am only a few moves away from being completely solved or whole! I don’t know about you but that makes my heart jump for joy and today it will be a bit easier to look at the “muddled up corners” in my life. 


I believe Jesus has a special heart for Rubik’s Cube people and he loves a job well done ‘cause the bible also says that God will finish the work that He started. So, don’t spend time worrying today about all the messy parts in your life…give your everyday life to Jesus and know that you too are only a few moves away from being solved!

God's Open Day

I recently had the privilege to attend the Pearson High School Open Day…a time of introduction to all new parents and students. Coming from Switzerland and an entirely different educational system, this was all so new to me, but even some of my South African friends said that, coming from Primary School, it seemed like a whole new world - a world we didn’t even know it existed. So much more to do; so much more to aspire to…so many new people to meet. Quite overwhelming at first, but exciting nonetheless. On that evening, the admission rules were explained to us. This new school, this new world is reserved for some. Yes, anyone can apply, but only 160 students will be admitted. That’s the reality, these are the limits set by the authority in charge. However, somewhere amongst the application forms there was a piece of paper that stated a very important part of the admission rules…and that is that admission is guaranteed if you live in the vicinity of the school. It said that if Pearson High is your nearest High School and if you are a rightful resident of Summerstrand, then you will not be refused entry. What a relief to know! Especially in the presence of the 500 odd people present who might all be applying later.

Why am I telling you all this…?

Easter is coming up…and I have been pondering over this thought for a while…EASTER IS JESUS’ OPEN DAY…! He came; He made His presentation. Heaven is His world, a world we don’t know but it exists, far beyond any imagination. God wants all of us to be there one day. Anyone can apply. Not everyone will be granted a spot. But I have some really GOOD NEWS! There is a  little detail lots of people keep overlooking…if Jesus is your friend…if you live in the vicinity of the cross he died on, admission for you is GUARANTEED! Yes, you may fail a grade or two…you might mess up your very next exam, but if you live with Jesus in your heart, your grades don’t matter. You will get in.

This vicinity thing is really important because it is easy to be worried. Many people worry if they will go to heaven one day, just like many parents have asked me since that Open Day…”What if you don’t get in?”…”Will you apply to any other High School?”…and my answer is always NO. None. This is the only one we will apply for. No doubt it is the best for us and the good news is we live nearby. Some parents seem to worry, even though they live near the school too. Perhaps they did not read the small print and now the devil can sneak in a thought of worry. “Are you sure your child will be accepted?” or “What if his grades don’t measure up?” I have had lots of thoughts that I am not good enough for heaven, and many a time where I have sinned and the devil tried to convince me that I would not make “the cut”. But that is when I go and read the small print of God’s promise again for in the bible it says that if you are a friend of Jesus and you make him your Lord, you WILL get into heaven. Your behaviour is not the deciding factor, but your closeness to Jesus is. So the only question for you over this Easter is this: is he your friend? DO YOU LIVE NEAR THE CROSS? Why not make him your friend this Easter and make sure your admission is guaranteed? Jesus was here. He had His Open Day and He is reminding us every Easter. He has enough space for all of us. He died and he rose and HE IS COMING BACK.

I think even the devil knows that his time is almost up…almost every new action movie released is dealing with some kind of “impending return”…people are sensing it…and the devil is trying to advertise his own team. He will do anything to keep you distracted and busy and away from Jesus. But remember - Easter is Jesus’ Open Day! You have to make your choice. Do I want to be in or out? And remember the small print…so move your heart to the cross and DECLARE JESUS YOUR FRIEND…it will be well worth it! Is there any other heaven you would want to go? No. None. This is where I want to go and I hope to see all of YOU there! Have a Happy Easter!

Its hard to live when nobody cares if you die

A high school student in the USA committed suicide.  He left a note saying, "It's hard to live when nobody cares if you die." 

 His classmates were badly shaken by this traumatic event.  Realizing the opportunity to help these young people through this troubling time, a teacher talked to the students about how important it is that people feel valued. So, he told them to imagine they were about to die. Then he gave an assignment: "Write a note to tell someone how important he or she is to you."

Sandy, who had a rocky relationship with her mother, was especially moved by the idea that she might die without telling her mom how important she was, so she wrote a note: "We've had some rough times and I know I haven't been a very good daughter but I know I'm lucky to have you in my life. You  are the best person I've ever known. Thanks for not giving up on me."

 

 She told her mom about the assignment and gave her the note. Her mom cried and hugged Sandy but said little. The next morning Sandy found a note on her mirror. "Dearest daughter," it said, "I want you to know how much you are valued. Being your mother is the most important thing in my life. The truth is I've felt like such a failure I was seriously considering ending it all. I thought you'd be better off without me. Your appreciation makes my life worth living."

"Let us think of ways to motivate and encourage one another to acts of love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24, NLT)

We All Need Encouragement

 "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT)

Even great people need encouragement. Dr Chuck Swindoll tells of a TV documentary when Dr Daniel Boorstin, the librarian of Congress, brought out a little blue box containing the contents of President Lincoln's pockets on the night he was assassinated. Among the ordinary items were some worn newspaper clippings.

The clippings told of some of Lincoln's great deeds. One of them reported a speech by John Bright which said that Lincoln was one of the greatest men of all times. In 1865, millions shared a contrary opinion. Lincoln's critics were fierce and many; his was an agony that reflected the suffering and turmoil of his country.

There is something touchingly pathetic in the picture of this great leader's sitting alone under a candlelight and seeking self-assurance from the comfort of a newspaper clipping.

Yet even when his critics were hanging him in effigy, Abraham Lincoln found somebody who believed in him and he put the reminder in his pocket to read and be encouraged when nobody was looking.

Is there somebody that you can encourage today? There is tremendous power in words of encouragement. Power to motivate and transform and shape the future. Never underestimate the guidance you give by the words you speak or do not speak. Jesus spoke to a woman at a well, and her life and the lives of her neighbours experienced a miraculous change. Peter preached at Pentecost and 3,000 souls came to salvation through faith.

Is there somebody you need to encourage today? Maybe you need to write that long-overdue letter! Write it to your child who is now grown up. Or to a parent that sacrificed so much for you. Write it to that pastor that faithfully teaches you each week. Write it to that fellow employee who has been doing the same menial job since the start of the millenium. Don't wait.

Put your arms around your son or daughter the next chance you get. No matter what ages they are. Look into their faces and tell them what they mean to you. When they bury you someday, those will be the words they will remember. They will be imbedded in their minds and they will never forget them.