Turtles in the Sun

It was a brilliant sunshiny afternoon. One of those early spring days that tease you with a hint of summer to come. I could hear the bull frogs loud droning, birds calling and just a whisper of a breeze through the pine boughs. On the eastern side of the pond I noticed a couple of turtles out on a log sunning themselves. Perfect components to create a lazy afternoon! On really warm days they will spend hours just parked on a log or the side of the bank soaking up the sun’s rays. I was curious as to why turtles bask in the sun. A little research told me that basking actually strengthens the turtle’s shell and helps to reduce the amount of algae that might grow on the shell keeping the shell clean and the turtle healthier.

My mind immediately began to whirl. What happens when we Christians bask in the glow of the Son? Oh yes! We are strengthened and cleaned, just like my turtles. Jesus does strengthen us as we see in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Let’s also look at Ephesians 6:10 for another word of this truth. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” God will and does use people and situations to make us strong, but be mindful that ultimately the strength comes from Him. Not only does our Father strengthen us emotionally and spiritually, but physically as well. I find this in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

How are we cleaned as we bask in Jesus? Take a look at 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Jesus is the light as we see here, walking with him enables us to fellowship with the Son and the Father. By the shed blood of Jesus we are cleansed! In the Old Testament, Ezekiel 36:25, also speaks of cleansing. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.” Remember that Jesus refers to himself as the Living Water, and think of Him as the water being used here to cleanse.

We have been bought with a price, we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit. (I Corinthians 6:20) We must acknowledge that our strength comes from the Lord, and that we are refined only by the precious blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for our sins.

As you bask in the glory and joy of Jesus your Saviour, remember to be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)

(From The Pond 2016)