Grandma Rogers Devotionals

By Mary “Grandma” Rogers

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 4:16 (NIV)

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.” Psalm 121:1 (KJV)

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word, I hope” Psalm 130:5 (NKJV)

 I could go on and on with verses of scripture–verses full of truth and meaning – and perhaps I should, for, this is the day we speak about the third letter in the word faith – the letter “I”. It is such a small word when used as such, only one letter.  But it carries such a large meaning when used in reference to our Lord.  He is the “I” in our world; He is the Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end; and He is, also, everything in between.  Without Him, we are nothing.

 In Jesus’ last week on this earth, He knew He had much to endure before He would ascend to His Father.  He knew the cross awaited Him, but He knew, also, the He had a mission here on earth—a purpose for being here—and He knew He must do the will of his heavenly Father. 

 What if He hadn’t felt that way? What if Jesus had put himself first?  What if the “I” in His life became himself?  He wouldn’t have thought of others–only himself.  We all know that was impossible, because we know it was God’s plan that He become a man, and because of Him and what He did, we have the hope of living forever.

 In Ernest Hemingway’s book “For Whom The Bell Tolls”, there is an inscription by John Donne that begins with the words, “No Man Is An Island”.  It goes on to say such things as “Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main” and also it says “Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind.”

 Jesus was not willing to be an “ISLAND”, so to speak, but, instead, was willing to be involved with mankind— so willing, in fact, that He died for all mankind.  We, in our daily lives, are involved to a lesser degree, but we are involved.

 Each of us has something we can give to another, even if it’s only a smile to help start somebody else’s day off just right.  By the way—if you are with someone now, turn to them and smile and see if you don’t get one back in return!  Hopefully, that smile will be passed around all day and many, many people will benefit.  Isn’t that a better idea than being an “ISLAND” and keeping that smile to yourself?

 I’m sure when the words— no man is an island — were written, they had a much deeper meaning than just smiling at someone else.  I think they were meant to remind us of our dependence on one another, of our sadness when others have misfortunes, of our happiness when our lives are entwined in love and joy with others. 

I believe, also, that when another human being feels hungry, tired, ill, disheartened or sad, that within each of us there are some of the same feelings. We know that Jesus knows all about these feelings, because He has lived through them, too, before we have.  In His second great commandment to us, He was telling us somewhat the same thing as John Donne was saying, only Jesus used different words, and they were — “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  To love our neighbor is to be involved with the world of people around us; and being involved is far removed from being an ”island”.

There is another “I” word that I want to mention and that is the word “IMPOSSIBLE”.  To me, that is such a negative, final word.  However, it doesn’t have to be that way at all, for it says in Luke 1:37 — “For with God, nothing is impossible.”  These words were spoken in reference to Jesus’ birth, but they can also apply to much of our daily living. 

 Just the thought of something being possible as opposed to impossible makes us hope for a better outcome to the situation — whatever it is — and gives us a much brighter outlook on living.  Faith in God and in this promise He has left for us can take away the “I” and “M” from impossible and leave us with a will to take God up on His promise and have faith that, with Him ALL things ARE possible!!

 In closing, let me use one other word beginning with the letter “I” — and INVITE you to a greater fellowship with our Lord.  Faith in Him and His promises can be the greatest thing that ever happened to you.

 Let’s let His word be our prayer…
“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Amen

 www.GrandmaRogers.com

Tags: Faith, Fellowship, Impossible, Service, Unity
Filed under: Devotionals