It's that time of year again!
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping...
...and school's out for summer!
Graduation is tomorrow for many high school Seniors, and this year's 'crop' is near and dear to my heart. Some I've known since before they entered high school, and some I've known for only a few short years. Regardless of that, they've been in my prayers a lot this week, and I'd be remiss if I didn't share what is on my heart.
But first... what's behind door #1? A trip down Memory Lane!
 |
| RFA Graduation 2010 |
Anywho! Here we go.
You're probably wondering why I used the name Ebenezer in the title of this post.
And if you didn't see that before, you saw it now and are definitely picturing Ebenezer Scrooge in your head.
Didn't picture him like that? How about like this?
Or maybe like this?
You're welcome.
But I'm not here to talk about Ebenezer Scrooge....
We used to sing this song in my church at 'Cuse that had one particular line...It always made me giggle: "Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I've come." No matter what I did, I never could take the song seriously because I was always picturing someone taking Ebenezer Scrooge and holding him up like this:
Well, it turns out there's another meaning for the word 'Ebenezer' in this song. The word 'Ebenezer' in Hebrew translates to "stone of help."It's mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible...
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
1 Samuel 7:12
When Samuel and the Israelites defeated their enemies, I imagine it being an amazing moment. Samuel decided to comemmorate this awesome, defining moment by putting a stone to mark the spot of the battle.
But this stone would serve as more than just a reminder of the battle that had taken place: it would serve as a public acknowledgement of the Lord's provision in their time of need.
"He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
By making this Ebenezer stone, the Israelites were able to stop and examine their surroundings. "Thus far the Lord has helped us"- Look how far God has taken us when we trusted in Him. Look at all the little ways He in His goodness has provided for us. In the same token, if God has brought us this far, imagine how far He can take us if we trust in Him!
I'm sure you can look back at your life and see a series of "Ebenezer" stones in the desert- poignant moments of reflection and assurance of God's love, provision and guidance.
Many of you will graduate Saturday, and I'd like to encourage you to take advantage of that wonderful experience. Have an 'Ebenezer' moment, if you will. Look back at the last several years and see how God's hand has provided for you. Look at how far He's brought you. Thank Him for how He has helped you "thus far" and rejoice over where He will bring you to if you commit your ways to Him. Surely you will do wonderful things! How do I know?
"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
To all of the graduates- I'm praying for you! May God continue to bless you as you seek His plan for your future!
Love,
SL
No comments:
Post a Comment