Life's Too Short to Miss the Fireworks!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace…to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

Independence Day Devotional

“Can they stop now?” “I only like the color but not the noise.” These were the mutterings of my 7-year-old during our town’s Fourth of July fireworks show. I turned from the show to see my daughter with fingers in her ears and a grimace on her face yet watching the sky intently for the next burst of color.

It occurred to me then that our walk of faith is much like the traditional fireworks display. We may encounter some loud explosions and big bangs along the way which God allows for building our perseverance or due to the presence of sin in the world. But in the end, we can be assured that our eternal home will be breathtaking.

The chemistry responsible for the awesome bursts of stars and cascading streams of colors in a pyrotechnic event is complex and requires great care to make. This parallels the great care God took in making us. “So God created man in his own image.” Genesis 1:27. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14.

Some of life’s experiences will be more colorful and spectacular than others, and some will cause us pain. I wish there was an easy way to explain this to my young daughter, but I don’t always comprehend the reasons myself.

Leaning on the everlasting arms of God and trusting in the Holy Spirit are as much icons of the Christian life as are the American flag and fireworks of the Independence Day we celebrate in the United States.

Life's short. Celebrate the good times and persevere through the bad.