The fountain of youth! That's what I heard it called. I first heard about the mystical fountain when I was a boy. I remember it was mentioned in one of my Saturday morning cartoons. Since then I've wondered if such a thing existed. As I grew older, my mother started to talk about the fountain of youth, not what I saw in my cartoons, but a face cream that promised to remove all the wrinkles that she had from her life.
No matter how hard she tried to regain her youthful beauty, she realized that as time progressed she had to embrace a new and beautiful her. That took time, like over 20 years to learn that lesson. Since the dawn of time, mankind has tried to reverse the impact of sin in the world. From diets, fads, retreats, you name it, mankind has tried to revive that which sin has marred.
The marring effects of sin can be seen all over the world. Even in the most exquisite locations on the planet, you can still see the marks of a sinful world. While this reality is ever before us, there is hope. Our hope is not found in the things man creates to renew life once more, at least not the spiritual life. Our hope is found in these words of Jesus:: "Jesus said unto her, 'I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.' " - John 11:25, KJV. That newness of life can only be found in Christ Jesus. Once again, this concept seems so exclusive, not inclusive, but the Bible makes it clear that, "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12, KJV
Renewal of life, transformation, resurrection, and salvation come from a singular point of reference...Jesus Christ. That's it. There is no other way. We don't have to like that reality, however, once accepted...it betters the life we live on this earth. We realize with Paul, we "may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height." - Eph. 3:18, KJV. What breadth, length, depth, and height? The breadth, length, depth and height of the love of God!
May you, this Sabbath, experience that reality for your spiritual life! May you catch a glimpse of what God desired to teach the Egyptians and the Israelites of old.
So, until the next time, this is Pastor Tello reminding you that thoughts do change lives.
Pastor Howard Tello