Dedications Are A Big Deal!

Happy "Be Dedicated" Saturday, Everyone!

Dedication is a well known concept in our world. We can dedicate things such as buildings, boats and airplanes or we can dedicate ourselves as to a sport or deed or observance, etc., even to each other. This weeks Sunday School lesson is titled Dedication of the Wall, and comes to us from Chapter 12 in Nehemiah. Neh. 12:27-43." During the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites throughout the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. They were to take part in the joyous occasion with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, lyres, and harps.

Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away."

The ordinary happenings of life tend to become mundane or feel like just another day, but these days can, as well, hold great promise as objects of praise and rejoicing to the Lord. Weddings are exciting, childbirth is exciting but what about a sunset? What about a sunrise? Or the wind moving and re-shaping the trees? What about the mere fact that we have an opportunity to have coffee with someone and discuss old times? We need to set our hearts on these occasions too, using them to thank and praise God for His great mercy and love.

Joy and sorrow are two extremes in human emotion, and both have their value in life. We can't be joyful all the time, nor should a person bear sorrow all the time. Life needs to be built on the proper balance of the two. When a person is in constant sorrow or just miserable all the time, that person is bearing burdens beyond his ability or dealing with illness and must gain professional help. The Bible tells us that "for everything there is a season" and please remember, there are 4 seasons, not just one season.

Life must be a mix of all seasons to be a fulfilling life. We are told by Jesus to place our cares and burdens on Him and He will carry them for us through this life. No matter what happens in this life, we Christians have Joy because we are dedicated to The Savior and The Savior is dedicated to us. We have Hope beyond the promises of this world.

Soooooooooooooooo, knowing that this Hope is eternal and that no one can take it away, we can rejoice, we can be sad, we can need quiet time and we may need a crowd around us. But what ever the case may be, dedicate your life to the One who has every answer to every question. Jesus Christ.

So go out there this week and be a Wall in this world that will not fall, or crumble or crack under the pressures of this life. Enjoy this life, for God gave it to you as a gift!

Amen.