Independence Day & The Sea of White Canopies & The Only Name
The field was a sea of white canopies scattered for as far as the eye could see. Some were surrounded by white sides attached to the white tops, creating a type of protective cocoon, while others stood, wide open, displaying all sides, though still protected by the heat of the noon-day sun beating down from the sky.
Why WHITE?
Why SCATTERED ACROSS THE FIELD?
Why SURROUNDED WITH WHITE SIDE PANELS FOR PROTECTION?
Why STANDING COMPLETELY WIDE OPEN, YET STILL PROTECTED?
Why THERE, ON THIS DAY?
Why SEEN FOR AS FAR AS THE EYE COULD SEE?
WHY?
The day was filled with the 4th of July celebration, and as she stood where the ground sloped slightly uphill, where the tractor display was designated to go, and where her husband was naturally drawn, she could see the white sea of canopies scattered across the park. White. All White. The harvest surely was there, filling the scene and filling her mind, for all who wish to see. As she stood there, surrounded by tractors, massive in size, as she heard the distant chatter of festival-goers, she became filled with this singleness of thought—-
God is sovereign.
God alone creates and controls everything.
God alone provides what we need because He is totally aware of all our needs.
God, alone, sent to the world His only Son, sent to us, to set us free.
How appropriate that God consumed her thoughts on this Independence Day celebration.
Yes, in a sea of canopies, beautiful white canopies for as far to the left, and to the right, filling up the world even where the trees met the field.
God offers His salvation and then fills us with His Holy Spirit so we are more than able to accomplish His will.
God’s pure, protective, surrounding love never disappears nor forsakes.
His love is everlasting.
It is His love that empowers us to go, and even though we are scattered across the field (for as far as the eye can see), still God protects us within His deep abiding presence, surrounding us with His amazing grace and love and care and assurance.
What a beautiful blessing only Jehovah God is able to provide.
The Divine Love of God cannot be fully comprehended by our limited mind; yet, God’s amazing love is truly ours to dwell within because of our faith in Jesus Christ, fortified beneath the protective canopy of God forevermore.
As she stood there pondering the vast sea of canopies filling the entire field, she wondered—-WHY do so many remain in unbelief when faith in God is so easy to receive?—-And WHY do so many choose to not receive salvation given through Jesus….”for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4: 12).
The apostles faced so much opposition when they shared God with the world of unbelievers. In the Acts of the Apostles, we find the apostle Peter “filled with the Holy Spirit,” as he spoke to those surrounding him in opposition.
“Rulers and elders of the people,
(Acts 4: 8-12)
if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—-by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
The field is ready for God’s harvest.
The field is a dotted landscape of canopies, those who know God personally, those who have already accepted His salvation through faith.
The field is one canopy after another after another.
May we speak in boldness as Peter and the other apostles spoke.
May we raise our voices to proclaim the TRUTH—“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved”—-the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12)
May we go into the world, forever protected under God’s canopy of love, mercy, and grace….for the field is ready….yes, READY, for the harvest of Almighty God.