Author’s Note: This is part of a 40 Day Lenten & Easter YWAP Devotional that explores self-sacrifice as it relates to the death and resurrection of Christ.
MAKE HAY WHILE THE SON SHINES
When I took the picture of a bale of straw posted above, I have to admit my ignorance in knowing the difference between hay and straw. I thought I had taken a picture of a bale of hay. I was wrong, but it's okay. In layman's terms, straw is the waste product of hay. Straw, even though it's a waste product is very useful for animal bedding, mulch and other things. Hay is food for the animals and sometimes the animals are food for people.
There's a farmers proverb that originated in medieval times that said, "Make hay while the sun shines!" There's a couple of wisdom seeds in that bale of a proverb. Number one, you don't want to get hay wet (as in rain) or it will rot quickly. Number two, get your work done when the time is right. Both of those pieces of wisdom are still useful today, but most folks are more familiar with the second one. To put it another way,
"Make the most of every opportunity when the opportunity presents itself.
Don't waste time or you might as well be a wet and wasted bale of straw."
Speaking of bales, has anybody ever handed you a bale of mercy by bailing you out of a jam? Some folks get bailed out of jail. Everyone I'm sure has had someone bail them out of a jam. Straw made into bedding creates a warm place for an animal to rest. Hay provides food and sustenance for an animal. A relationship with Jesus, the Son of God, will give us an eternal resting place (bedding) in heaven. Jesus is called "The Bread of Life," He gives us spiritual food and sustenance to make hay while we're in this life to prepare us for eternal life.
"Making hay while the sun shines" is getting the job done at the right time. "Making hay while the Son shines" is accepting the mercy and grace of God before it's too late. Now is the right time. On the cross, Jesus bailed us out of the hell that we deserve - that's mercy. We're all called to be "Bail-People" or people who extend mercy and bail folks out of hard times. We're made in the image and likeness of God and called to extend mercy the way He does. God loves mercy and so should we.
DAY 4 WORD
“The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”
Micah 6:8 NLT
"There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others.
But if you have been merciful,
God will be merciful when he judges you."
James 2:13 NLT
"He who despises his neighbor
sins [against God and his fellow man],
But happy [blessed and favored by God]
is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor."
Proverbs 14:21 AMP
HEART THOUGHTS
What's your bail record look like?
Take a few moments to thank God for all the times He bailed you out of tough spots.
HEART REFLECTIONS
Keep an eye out for struggling folks.
Ask God to show you who needs to be bailed out by mercy, and then make hay while the Son shines.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
There's a farmers proverb that originated in medieval times that said, "Make hay while the sun shines!" There's a couple of wisdom seeds in that bale of a proverb. Number one, you don't want to get hay wet (as in rain) or it will rot quickly. Number two, get your work done when the time is right. Both of those pieces of wisdom are still useful today, but most folks are more familiar with the second one. To put it another way,
"Make the most of every opportunity when the opportunity presents itself.
Don't waste time or you might as well be a wet and wasted bale of straw."
Speaking of bales, has anybody ever handed you a bale of mercy by bailing you out of a jam? Some folks get bailed out of jail. Everyone I'm sure has had someone bail them out of a jam. Straw made into bedding creates a warm place for an animal to rest. Hay provides food and sustenance for an animal. A relationship with Jesus, the Son of God, will give us an eternal resting place (bedding) in heaven. Jesus is called "The Bread of Life," He gives us spiritual food and sustenance to make hay while we're in this life to prepare us for eternal life.
"Making hay while the sun shines" is getting the job done at the right time. "Making hay while the Son shines" is accepting the mercy and grace of God before it's too late. Now is the right time. On the cross, Jesus bailed us out of the hell that we deserve - that's mercy. We're all called to be "Bail-People" or people who extend mercy and bail folks out of hard times. We're made in the image and likeness of God and called to extend mercy the way He does. God loves mercy and so should we.
DAY 4 WORD
“The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”
Micah 6:8 NLT
"There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others.
But if you have been merciful,
God will be merciful when he judges you."
James 2:13 NLT
"He who despises his neighbor
sins [against God and his fellow man],
But happy [blessed and favored by God]
is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor."
Proverbs 14:21 AMP
HEART THOUGHTS
What's your bail record look like?
Take a few moments to thank God for all the times He bailed you out of tough spots.
HEART REFLECTIONS
Keep an eye out for struggling folks.
Ask God to show you who needs to be bailed out by mercy, and then make hay while the Son shines.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
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