The other day Larry and I were talking about building up a pantry. In the days ahead one never knows what calamity may take place. Having assorted canned goods, propane, water and even necessary paper products, might be a good thing. I was making a list of what would be easy to store and keep on a shelf. Then the idea came to me.
How often do we think about building up a ‘spiritual’ pantry? I know the idea is a new and different one. Think of it in this way. When we have a bad day, wouldn’t it be good to grab hold of a portion of peace, or grace, or patience, or kindness? What about forgiveness?
If we have an attitude of the heart that is spiritual and focused on Jesus. It would benefit us to have a storage place of the grace, that we might need for the day.
Matthew said ,”Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be”.
So if the desires of our heart is to be prepared. Then we would need to instill in us, a storage place of the attributes of God. The Holy Spirit can fill us with HIS likeness. So when grief hits us we can pull out hope, when we become fearful, we can pull out peace, when we become angry, we can pull out forgiveness. It is all about choice and decision making. It is becomes a decision of our hearts.
Just as we would create and build a food pantry for perilous times. We must choose to build up within our spirit and our life, an abundant supply, of HIS likeness and attributes. For if we walk in the spirit we must show that, towards others and maybe even ourselves.
So the challenge for us today is this. What is our focus?
Jude 20,21,22: But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
We are not promised safety in this life, but we are promised safety in the love of God.
How awesome of a thought is that. I hope this writing today has been a challenge to provoke a new thought. What are we storing up and becoming prepared for?
