I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:1-2

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Tying my hammock strings to Jesus

My big kids and I are reading Bruchko by Bruce Olson.  Bruce went to South America in the early 1960's at the age of 19 to be a missionary to the remote tribe of Motilone Indians.  It is an amazing story of trust, danger, excitement and how to be a missionary while respecting the people's culture.  We aren't finished with the book yet, but one metaphor stuck out to me.  After YEARS of living with the Motilones and not saying anything about Jesus...just living with them and adopting their culture and building relationships, Bruce's best friend wanted to know about Jesus.  Bruce told him (among other things) that he could "tie his hammock strings to Jesus."  The Motilone's lived in communal homes and all slept in hammocks, some suspended as much as 20 feet in the air.  Bruce had been hesitant about getting into the hammock at early in time there, and his friend told him that he had to get both feet in the hammock and be suspended.  Bruce told his friend Bobby (his nickname for the almost unpronounceable Motilone name), "You have to be suspended.  That is how it is when you follow Jesus, Bobby.  No man can tell you how to walk His trail.  Only Jesus can.  But to find out you have to tie your hammock strings into Him, and be suspended in God."



This reminds me of my current "theme verse."   Proverbs 3: 5-7 says
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Not coincidentally, verses 9 and 10 of the same chapter talk about money, one of the most difficult areas of our lives in which to really "tie our hammock strings to Jesus" and lift both feet off the ground.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

The picture was taken from Bruce Olson's website http://www.bruceolson.com/index.htm  Check out the book and/or the website and be inspired to trust.  Also check out my other blog today about two precious girls.




1 comment:

Heather said...

Thank you for all your beautiful comments of concern and offering of prayers during this time of great sadness and loss, especially for Klein's mom and dad. He was their one and only. Heartbroken. Absolutely heartbroken.

Have a very joyous Christmas and thank you also, for your continued support of us over at MiP!