Bubbles

Bubbles are fun . . . for kids of all ages!

Who hasn't enjoyed blowing bubbles in the breeze and watching them glide through the air? How about relaxing in a tub brimming with bubbles at the end of a tiring day? I'm even old enough to remember the signature bubbles on The Lawrence Welk Show! OK. . . many of you are, too!

Recently, two of our grandchildren enjoyed getting inside huge bubbles and moving across a pool. It looked like such fun!




I would guess that all of us have had days when we would have loved to crawl into a bubble and drift in oblivion to cares and pressing circumstances. Inside our own little bubble, we could control who comes in . . . and we'd be isolated from annoyances and interruptions . . . and we'd not be contaminated by all the bad in today's world. It would be a cozy, comfortable place with all our "stuff" carefully placed around us. All would be quiet and peaceful, and we'd not be pulled in a hundred different directions.

But Abby said it was awfully noisy inside her bubble. Her own laughter and voice echoed so loudly, she said. Hmmm. . . . made me remember that inside my own little bubble, it's pretty much about me . . . my thoughts . . . my wishes . . . my feelings . . . and that can get pretty loud at times. That's really all I can hear.

Maybe According to Scripture, choosing a "bubble life" - even if there's room for other Christians - is not what God plans for us. It's OK to huddle with other Christians for encouragement and growing, but huddling is only a part of the game of life. As in the game of football, huddling is necessary, but the plays happen out on the field often amidst fierce opposition. Not one player can afford to operate in his own little bubble.

For sure, we need time to ourselves and we need our own space. But we can't camp out in a bubble! Not if we follow the example of Jesus . . . and that is our goal, isn't it? His was a life of service and compassion and unconditional love for others . . . with eyes and ears wide open to the needs around Him. The following quote from a recent Living Missions lesson at church spoke to me:

Christ lived an intentional life here on earth . . . where He

purposefully chose to see and know those around Him. He ate
in their homes. He talked with them along the road.
He taught them from the hillside.

Those words don't describe a life lived in a bubble, do they? Instead, He calls us to reflect His Light . . . to be the "salt of the earth" . . . to be His image-bearers . . . to make disciples in all the nations. I pray that the next time I'm tempted to crawl into a bubble, He'll remind me of these truths.

Love through me; love through me;
O Lord, love through me.
Somewhere somebody needs Your love today.
O Lord, love through me.
~Mosie Lister~