As we walk down the trail of life,
at times the trail is not so smooth.
Our journey on the winding trail
brings us to the mountain tops of
goodness as well as the lowest
valleys of difficulties. The lower
valleys of life can take away much
joy and make the trail unbearable.
We all experience this part of the
journey. There are some who make
the trek through life's lower valleys
with full confidence, they seem to
just keep walking regardless of the
difficulties. They continue to move
forward even when the trail gets
rough and burdensome.
at times the trail is not so smooth.
Our journey on the winding trail
brings us to the mountain tops of
goodness as well as the lowest
valleys of difficulties. The lower
valleys of life can take away much
joy and make the trail unbearable.
We all experience this part of the
journey. There are some who make
the trek through life's lower valleys
with full confidence, they seem to
just keep walking regardless of the
difficulties. They continue to move
forward even when the trail gets
rough and burdensome.
These confident ones seem to indeed possess special ingredients. They
keep standing and walking tall through the midst of adversity. These special
and much sought after ingredients enable some to smile and keep balanced
composure when experiencing sorrow. These ones are slow to anger and
show compassion while being antagonized by others. Their admirable
manner of life is profoundly different. They have a "can-do" spirit. These
ones walk with a certain "spring in their step". They profoundly display
kindness, consideration, empathy, and above all love their fellow man in
spite of the turmoil, difficulties and problems they are suffering from on the
ever changing trail of life. These people seem to be held up by some super
human structural support system that enables them to push ahead where
others may tire and collapse.
What are the much needed ingredients of the enviably, proverbial, "four
legs of life" that hold such ones up? The chair in the painting symbolizes
these "four legs of life", each leg representing an essential ingredient for
living. The first leg is having a truly, wholesome relationship with ones
spouse. In this meaningful arrangement much support and comfort flows and
eases the pain and burden. (Proverbs 5:15-23,NASB) The second leg of the
chair represents a means of support. This would be a likeable job that one
finds pleasure in and enjoys going to work to secure their living. (1 Thes.
4:11-12, 2 Thes. 3:10) The third leg symbolizes wholesome and planned
recreation. Make time to take a walk, have a picnic, visit a park, or just
relax and enjoy the journey (Eccl. 2:24-25). The fourth and perhaps the
most significant leg of life is the spiritual leg. By bringing God into your
life and truly developing a belief system undeniably keeps the trail smooth.
When man fails you...God supports you.(Psalms 146:1-10, John 3:16)
Yes, each "leg of life" is depending on the other legs for complete balance.
If one leg is missing the chair will collapse.
keep standing and walking tall through the midst of adversity. These special
and much sought after ingredients enable some to smile and keep balanced
composure when experiencing sorrow. These ones are slow to anger and
show compassion while being antagonized by others. Their admirable
manner of life is profoundly different. They have a "can-do" spirit. These
ones walk with a certain "spring in their step". They profoundly display
kindness, consideration, empathy, and above all love their fellow man in
spite of the turmoil, difficulties and problems they are suffering from on the
ever changing trail of life. These people seem to be held up by some super
human structural support system that enables them to push ahead where
others may tire and collapse.
What are the much needed ingredients of the enviably, proverbial, "four
legs of life" that hold such ones up? The chair in the painting symbolizes
these "four legs of life", each leg representing an essential ingredient for
living. The first leg is having a truly, wholesome relationship with ones
spouse. In this meaningful arrangement much support and comfort flows and
eases the pain and burden. (Proverbs 5:15-23,NASB) The second leg of the
chair represents a means of support. This would be a likeable job that one
finds pleasure in and enjoys going to work to secure their living. (1 Thes.
4:11-12, 2 Thes. 3:10) The third leg symbolizes wholesome and planned
recreation. Make time to take a walk, have a picnic, visit a park, or just
relax and enjoy the journey (Eccl. 2:24-25). The fourth and perhaps the
most significant leg of life is the spiritual leg. By bringing God into your
life and truly developing a belief system undeniably keeps the trail smooth.
When man fails you...God supports you.(Psalms 146:1-10, John 3:16)
Yes, each "leg of life" is depending on the other legs for complete balance.
If one leg is missing the chair will collapse.
The dove represents the Holy Spirit. In most depictions of the Holy Spirit
as a dove it is shown in flight moving, responding, and doing God's work.
A sitting dove, in this illustration, symbolizes the presence of the Holy
Spirit and His continuous teaching to the church of the Upper Room
Ministries.(Mark 1:9-10)
Radiant light, as shown coming through the window, is of special
significance. When one comes to appreciate God, they are taken out of
the darkness into the light. The God of the bible is represented as the
God of light. Jesus is called the "Light of the World." (John 8:12) Any
who except this "light", and become his followers, are called children of
light. (Eph. 5:8)
significance. When one comes to appreciate God, they are taken out of
the darkness into the light. The God of the bible is represented as the
God of light. Jesus is called the "Light of the World." (John 8:12) Any
who except this "light", and become his followers, are called children of
light. (Eph. 5:8)
Isaiah 60:8 states: "Who are these that fly as a cloud and as the doves
to their windows". When one makes a concerted effort to connect with
their heavenly Father the windows of heaven are opened. One now sees
God and God's blessings are made manifest. (Mal.3:10)
to their windows". When one makes a concerted effort to connect with
their heavenly Father the windows of heaven are opened. One now sees
God and God's blessings are made manifest. (Mal.3:10)
