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tracker number356 Not Out of the Woods Yet. But hey, the Trees are Beautiful

by Dudley Anderson  
4/29/2011 / Devotionals

trACker number356
The e-Devotional helping to keep you on-track
GodTracker is online at www.godtracker.co.uk

29 April 2011

Dear God Tracker

Not Out of the Woods Yet. But hey, the Trees are Beautiful

Change a word that invokes trepidation in the best of us. The one thing we can be sure of in this life is change. Change can be pleasant and change can be painful but, in the Lord, change is always for the good, for good.

Jesus had enjoyed the best part of 3 years in the public eye. He had become a famous and a very successful rabbi. Added to his great teaching ministry, Jesus had also gained huge popularity through his great miracle prowess. Now he sits in a peaceful olive grove. It's late at night and his three close friends have fallen asleep some way off. The crisp autumn night air is cool. Jesus can see his breath as he prays, "Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me."

Jesus pauses as he ponders his life. There have been many changes over the years. He remembers the time just before his bar mitzvah when he was 12-years old. His parents had lost him in Jerusalem during a visit during the Passover. They found him talking to the teachers in the Temple. It might have been then that he gained the full realization that he was the Son of God. What a change that brought. Then there was the time when he was baptised by John and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. After this experience his quiet life had changed quite dramatically. These were desirable and exciting changes. Now, however, as he knelt before the Father in the dust of the olive wood, Jesus knew he was in for the most painful change of his life. Perhaps he lifted his gaze for a moment and noticed the ancient olive trees of Gethsemane surrounding him. He knew there was much more pain to come and he was not out of the woods yet. Perhaps the beauty of the trees in the garden helped Jesus look beyond the cross and scorn its shame, because he knew that he would eventually sit down at the right hand of God. He whispers in prayer, "Yet not what I will, but what you will." From where Jesus was sitting, he was not out of the woods yet. But hey, the trees are beautiful.

Perhaps you're facing radical changes at the moment. Could be that you feel like you're lost and alone in a dark wood at night. Listen, the Bible says to fix your eyes on Jesus, the author of your life, who joyfully endured his life-changes knowing that good would come of them. Change can be terrifying but pause for a moment and notice the beauty of the trees in your wood.

God-tracking is patiently enduring God ordered change.

Blessings

Dudley


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What is trACker?
GodTracker and trACker owe their origins to an international Christian radio programme produced by Dudley Anderson called, OnTrack. Although OnTrack went off-air in 2005, trACker has continued to help people to track God's plans and purposes for their lives since July 2003.

You can now hear Dudley Anderson on UCB UK
Saturdays from 00:00 to 05:00 GMT and Sundays from 06:00 to 12:00 GMT
Listen to UCB UK on DAB, Sky channel 0125 or online at http://ucbmedia.co.uk

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VoW
Verse of the Week

Colossians 3:1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.


Quote of the Week
A Sample of Dudley's Fave Quotes.

"I can't go back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." --- Lewis Carroll


Don't Give-up, Look-up!
Look-up and Fix Your Eyes On Jesus!

Beauty of the Trees

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Pray
"O Lord, my life is so confused at the moment that I can't see the trees for the wood. There are so many things taking place and so many changes that I can't seem to see the way out. However, I know that, provided I acknowledge you and seek your will, the changes you bring are for my good. Help me to face these changes and trials with joy, my Lord. And help me to get through them so that I will become a better person tomorrow than I was yesterday. I'm not out of the woods yet but help me to notice the beauty of the trees around me as I go through these changes. For your glory. Amen."

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa Dudley Anderson began writing for radio in 1994. Dudley currently writes a weekly e-mail Christian motivational thought called GodTracker and has complied 2 devotional books based on GodTracker. More information at surereaity.net

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