A Hurting Word...
I've visited and lived in a lot of worlds--the work world, the church world, wifeworld, mamaworld (with babytown, kidtown, and now it's teentown--help us all!)--but this week I took my once-a-year trip to Cotton Candy World--the Ozark Empire Fair! I moved from bench to bench (gettin' old, I fear...), from food stand to food stand (growing fat, I fear...), and finally parked under a tree.
I sat on a log, shelling peanuts, and watching the people go by--both worthwhile pastimes! I thought, "There HAS to be a devotional in all of this!" And there is--for you see, the cotton candy world, fun as it may be, is not the real world--it tastes good, melts in your mouth, and it's gone!
So what IS cotton candy? Ask Pastor Ed Rutherford, of Orange Hills Assembly of God Church, Orange Hills, CA, , a great church with NO cotton candy! He describes it well: "Lots of color and fluff, sweet to the senses but empty of any real value.. full of hot air...It appears to be a great value, but when you put the squeeze on it, all you have is a little wad of sugar--wasted, empty calories with no permanent value...Compare that to Christ who is the six course dinner!"
Before you check out Pastor Ed's home page (and I hope you do!), let's check out the cotton candy world--taste it for a bit--and then come to the Well to experience the REAL world, HIS world! There's food for your soul, joy for your spirit, and a Friend for eternity. That's more than cotton candy can ever offer!
A Helping Word...or Two!
A World of Food!...I love to eat, and fair food is no exception! There's SO much to choose from--sausages and corn dogs; funnel cake and fudge; pizza and pineapple whip; pretzels and popcorn! And don't forget the carmel apples and cotton candy! My husband tries to satisfy every whim of my "little girl cravings," until I am stuffed and ready to look at no more food for at least 24 hours...Been there? Done that? It tastes good--for the moment--then afterward, you sigh, "Why did I eat all that STUFF!"
For foodSTUFF doesn't satisfy the soul--we need the nutritious kind; we devour the delightful kind--but none of it lasts, except at the waistline, where we don't need it! We're always looking for the latest restaurant, the fastest fast food place, the newest microwave recipe--as the Lord stands by, smiling, gently saying, "My child; enjoy the earthly delights. But don't forget to dine at MY table...it will satisfy your soul!" Let's enjoy the steaks, the pasta, the desserts--but let's not forget where our REAL food is--at the Master's table! You see, cotton candy doesn't last--so when the fair's over, find HIM, make Him first in your life, and know REAL satisfaction--now that's forever!
"For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness (Psalm 107:9)."
A World of Fun!..I love to watch JASON ride the crazy stuff--not ME! There's whirly-gigs and fun houses; water coasters and topsy tumbles; slams and jams; scares and dares, all calling for a fairgoer's coupons. Thrill-seekers stand in line, scream, and go back for more. It's FUN--and then it's over. No surprise--'cause pleasure is like that--"for a season" and it's gone. The lights turn out, the party's over, and what was fun has disappeared down the road to the next fair stop.
Fun doesn't satisfy the soul--no doubt it's enjoyable; we travel to Oceans of Fun, and Worlds of Fantasy--we play and have a great time--but then it's over, and we're looking for the next adventure, the newest hotspot to visit, the latest playground. And all the while, the Master stands by, gently smiling, saying, "My child, enjoy the fun--but remember, I have SO much more for you. There's a world of joy I give that the world cannot take away. Know MY joy--it will last through boring or broken times; sad or senseless times--it will satisfy the soul!" You see, cotton candy doesn't last--so when the fair's over, find HIM, make Him first in your life, and know REAL joy--now that's forever!
"Thou wilt show me the path of life. In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11 KJV)."
A World of Friends!...I love my friends and family...and so do the people at the fair. Sit under the tree with me, and watch the lovers, the families, the singles, the elderly--walking along together, sharing the fair with people they love. For a few hours, family feuds and lovers' quarrels; kid squabbles and teen tantrums are forgotten, as people walk the cotton candy world from daylight to dusk, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the fair--laughing, joking, meeting old friends, and enjoying life.
Relationships work well at the fair--usually--but then it's over, and back to the real world of the feuds, quarrels, squabbles, tantrums, and just plain hard times! For friendships are fickle--that's life! A few endure a lifetime--if you can count on one hand your close friends, you are a blessed person! Many break down--the divorce courts tell the sad story of friendships gone sour! Your friends may be many, or few and far between, but the Master watches it all. He gently smiles and says, "My child, enjoy your family and friends." But, even when they fail, seek to know ME, the "Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." You see, cotton candy friends come and go--so when the fair's over, find HIM, make Him first in your life, and know a True Friend--now He's forever!
"...there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24 KJV)."
And that's it, friends--from under the tree at the fair, I saw it all--a cotton candy world of food, fun, and friends. Yes, it's fun to go to the fair--we need a getaway time to enjoy food, fun, and friends--but when the fair's over, let's remember to find HIM, who wants to be first in our lives. He's the One who fills our soul, brings joy to our hearts, and remains our Friend forever. The cotton candy world is fun to visit, but remember, HIS world is the place to abide. There's a world of difference--I saw it at the fair, and I hope you do too!
And that's just a word or two--from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33 KJV)."
"Lord, it IS fun to visit the cotton candy world--there is pleasure, but it doesn't last. Help me to remember when I am tempted to base my life on things so temporal. Help me remember that cotton candy doesn't last--your world does! May I live in my world this week so someone will see the real world that lives inside me. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
