I found myself standing in the city of Laodicea in Asia minor, sun blazing hot, thirsty, and feet hurting from the miles of walking we did on previous days. Looking around at the pillars and walls struck a sense of awe within me as I grappled with the Biblical weight of the moment. The group I was with seemed to settle into the same quiet lane of deep thought as our guide told us of the rich history we were surrounded by.
Somehow through the haze of awe, thirst, and aching I could hear these words float to the surface of my minds eye. “It’s all ruins”……. I shuddered back to my senses but couldn’t shake the realization this didn’t just happen overnight, time, wealth, comfort, and complacency lulled the inhabitants to a place of unfounded security.
I could hear then in my own heart “Be careful that you don’t seek out only comfort” “Be aware of what you do right now, and always do right” “Guard your heart and your thoughts” “Never lose who you are” “Always be true to you” “Never forget that God is first last and everything in between”. I came to grips with the fact that if I’m not careful, my heart could look the same way as the ruins I was standing in.
In the heights and lows of your life, give diligence to your now moments in order that you will be able to examine your heart and find……No Ruins.
Kelly English, BMsc
Photo Credit: Kelly English 2012
With 26 years in the pulpit and nonprofit ministry, Major English is a lover of the human experience and strives to uplift those within his sphere of influence.