CHIP, CHIP, CHIP

Sculptors take a block of stone, wood, ice, a lump of clay, or other substance with the goal of revealing what they know is hidden. They envision the possibilities in the object and begin chipping or carving away with great care every part hindering the shape and beauty of what they know lies within. 

Have you felt God convicting you about your character, your devotion to Him, your priorities, or something else? He will, you know, because He loves His children. Those old bad habits you thought you conquered that crept back into your life, or the new habits you’ve formed that don’t glorify Him or edify you or His Church, He wants them gone. The devil didn’t make you slip back into your old ways; he cannot. That crafty demon of darkness doesn’t have power over you, making you do, say, or think things that dishonor God. Those are choices we make within our circumstances that he can and often does manipulate. Chip, chip, chip.

God wants His children to be like His Son, Jesus (Rom 8:29). He sees and knows the possibilities and beauty that lie within us—He knew before He created anything. But He will not make us conform to the image of Christ; He could but wants us to choose to be in the right standing with our God and Maker; only then can we be like Jesus. When we call out to our Heavenly Father, He will help us remove everything that’s hindering our walk with Him. Chip, chip, chip.

“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Romans 6:19–20

We’re on the brink of the end of 2023, and, Lord willing, 2024 begins in a couple of weeks. How have you fared over the past 351 days? Okay? Wonderful, yet there is always room for improvement. If you’re not too pleased with yourself, change doesn’t need to happen later; today can be a fresh start. Ask God to forgive you and help you get back on track with Him. Chip, chip, chip.

Sometimes, the change needed is to invite Jesus into your life by confessing your sins to God and asking Him to save you (Rom 10:9, 10, 13). When you do, you become His child and enter the royal family as a joint heir with Jesus. What a wonderful way to end a year and begin a new one.

Everything we do, say and think matters to God—they should matter to us. The choice is ours: Chip, chip, chip.

Rescued

I glanced down at our dog comfortably sprawled across my legs, feeling safe and loved, and wondered if he knew how fortunate he was that he captured our hearts three years ago. I don't think he realizes the bleak future that possibly awaited him at the animal shelter.

 

In 1998, my friend asked me if I would take her three-month-old cocker spaniel because he wasn't a good fit for her. I gladly accepted the gift. Although house-trained, he preferred living outdoors. Bubba was very independent and an excellent comrade and watchdog, welcoming my affection but never demanding attention. I soon learned that I needed his comradeship more than he needed mine. Late one afternoon, seven years later, he slowly walked up to me looking sickly; by his appearance and actions, we suspected poisoning. I caressed and held him, and he died a short time later. I thought I'd never let myself get that close to another dog.

A friend gave a blue heeler to my husband as a yard dog. He informed us that she spent her one-and-a-half years on a chain with other dogs. We soon learned from her reactions at the sight of a broom and other such objects and the sudden movement of our hands that someone had mistreated her. She was needy of affection and care and managed to "worm her way" into my heart, even though I did my best to prevent that from happening. Sheela was part of our family for ten years until a tragic accident took her life. I told my husband, "I don't want another dog." Six months later, my husband asked what I wanted for Christmas, and to his surprise, I said, "A dog."

This little tri-colored Russian spaniel occupied the first kennel among many as we viewed the available dogs at the animal shelter three years ago. Returning to the first kennel for a second look, the puppy was doubtful but hopeful. The seven-month-old dog's quiet demeanor caught our attention, along with the longing eyes and little nub tail slowly moving from side to side. The day after Christmas, I carried the puppy to our car and held him in my lap, taking him to his new home in the country. My husband and I named him Scout and have enjoyed his company. He is no longer a puppy; he will be four years old this summer, and we've learned that he is still needy, demands and needs attention, and welcomes our expressions of affection.

Many people recognize and celebrate the fourteenth day of February with thoughts and expressions of love. As I looked at Scout sprawled on his back across my lap, relaxed, with no cares, feeling loved and safe, I thought about us as believers. Do we realize how needy and valued we are? That God, by His grace and mercy, rescued us from a life without Him? That He supplies everything we need to grow and flourish as His children until we meet Him face-to-face? Do we rest in His care and feel safe, assured He will take care of us?

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16–17

Bubba, Sheela, Scout, and every other dog we've owned had no voice or choice in who cared for them. But unlike them, we do. Whether a person admits it, we are all needy, even the most proficient and independent people—we all need saving. And that's what God did: He provided the only way to keep us from perishing in our sins and being eternally separated from Him. We don't deserve His love and care, and we can't earn it. Still, God loves us so much that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

If you've invited Jesus into your life, God has an eternal home in heaven with Him awaiting you. But people without Christ face a horrible place of everlasting torment prepared for Satan and his followers.

God is love (1 John 4:16). We can love God and others only because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). Ponder our heavenly Father's great love for you today. Thank God today for rescuing you because of His unconditional love.