A GADFLY DISTURBING THE DRAGON

 

Sometimes, as of late, I sit reminiscing and musing about where seven decades have gone so quickly. Have I made a difference? Did it really matter? Was I at least a faithful "one talent man"? Will I hear "well done good and faithful servant!"?

Many times lately I look back over my life and see many good things. I like to itemize them, all to the glory of God! I hear some people say some good things about old Jerry. I do wonder if they knew me better they might say something different?! No doubt, we all have our faults. We all have our failures. 

But there's a big difference between a failure and a fake! With God's help, I get back up. I come back. I rejoin the fight. 

As I begin this 7th decade I wonder what I can do. I'm not St. George, but, the Dragon still roars. If nothing else I can be a gadfly that distracts the dragon from his devilish plans for at least a little while?! Go for the eyes!

Or, the Lord may use me as a stinging hornet?! With everything I have I will torture that old dragon! I will make enough noise that others can be warned away from him. And, just perhaps some younger knight of the Cross will sink his lance into that old Liar?! With his sword he will lop off his head for another generation's sake?! He must be vanquished every generation, even though "it is finished"! The hellish thing flops around refusing to die. But, the forces of the Light will win!

Philippians 3:12-14 ESV

[12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV

[7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

STAGES OF LIFE

 With my 90-year-old mother-in-law for a few days. Life is so short!

1. Newborns. Dependency may be the best word here?! One has to be fed, cleaned, clothed, cuddled. One begins to memorize familiar faces, sounds, aromas. Communication is mostly whimpers, screams, googoos, smiles and frowns. Too soon these little ones move on to the next stage.

2. Toddlers. Blooming.

3. Preschoolers. Exploring.

4. Elementary school. Learning.

5. Teenagers. Testing.

6. College or Work. Maturing.

7. Newlyweds. Dreaming.

8. Young Parents. Wondering.

9. Middle-aged. Empty-Nesters. Pressing on.

10. Retirees. Reminiscing. Drifting. Gracefully Slowing ...

11. Senior. Dependency may be the best word here?! Full circle. One has to be fed, cleaned, clothed, cuddled. One begins to forget familiar faces, sounds, aromas. Communication is mostly whimpers, screams, googoos, smiles and frowns. Too soon these old ones move on to the next stage.

12. "the next Age"?!

John 14:1-3 ESV

[1] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 

Hebrews 11:13-16 ESV

[13] These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. [14] For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. [15] If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Revelation 21:1-5 ESV

[1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” [5] And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 

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