The Olive Branch

Bible

I think it’s time.

Time to remember who we are and why we are here.

When this day is done, the calendar will say that I am another year older.  Birthdays are like that.  Twenty four hours measure the day and at the end of 365 days you are reminded that every year–every day we are given–is important.  And I am reminded that I am here for a reason.

My role in the realm of Christendom will look very different than yours.

But our goal should be the same:

To live in such a way that others see Jesus in me.

I can’t “fix” anyone.  And to be honest, that is a struggle for me.  When I see someone making bad choices or going through a painful situation, it hurts.  Especially when I know that there is nothing I can do to fix it.  Painfully true.  The fact is, more often than not, I can do nothing to change the circumstance they are in because they have to make their own choices–

But I can choose to love them.  And choose to show it.

“This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need—how can God’s love reside in him?

Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.”  I John 3:16-18

He set the example.

We are to follow.

You and I will never do this perfectly, but we can do it well.

Intentionally.

We can choose to focus on others and look at them through eyes of compassion.

And extend an olive branch.

Early in history the olive branch became a symbol of peace.

I am fascinated by this tree and it’s significance in the Bible.  Even though is not particularly magnificent in appearance, it grows slowly but consistently, and can live for centuries.

And it holds a lesson I want to learn.

While I may not live to be a century old, I can keep growing and learning–

and loving.

Olive oil was used for religious purposes: blessing and healing and sacrifice and for the anointing of kings and priests.

And for practical purposes: cosmetics and medicine and cooking, and in lamps.

So there it is.  The challenge is before us.

Will I be an instrument of His peace? One of blessing and healing and sacrifice?  One that continues to be useful, even if it is in the common?  The mundane?

2017 is upon us, and I am continuing my Scripture Memory Challenge in the New Testament. Won’t you join me on this journey? Whether you memorize one or many, you will have stored up Truth in your heart.  God’s Word is His olive branch to us—His message of PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL TOWARD MAN.

The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me,
because the Lord has anointed Me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and freedom to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of our God’s vengeance;
to comfort all who mourn,
to provide for those who mourn in Zion;
to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
festive oil instead of mourning,
and splendid clothes instead of despair.
And they will be called righteous trees,
planted by the Lord
to glorify Him.  ^{Isaiah 61:1-3}

Don’t you just love that?  I am “…planted by the Lord to glorify Him”,

Vickie

[BibleGateway.com is a great resource for searching any term in the Bible.  You can search by translation, by chapter and verse, or by a specific topic or word.]