"Sometimes while I'm talking to God, He'll show me something about myself in such a way that I have to laugh at my own humanity and how funny I must look to Him." - Donna

Donna...just found your blog...I absolutely love it! And I love your singing! I'm at work right now and it was just exactly what I needed to hear to help me make it through tonight! Thanks for your ministry here!
- Robert

Google Time

Custom Search
Protected by Copyscape Website Copyright Protection

Monday, May 17, 2004

The Cicadas Are Coming!

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. – Revelation 22:20


I live in an area where cicadas are about to make an appearance after seventeen years. The male cicada vibrates ribbed plates in a pair of amplifying cavities at the base of his abdomen making the loudest sound of any insect. It can sometimes be heard as far as 440 yards! If we get the large groups of cicadas the experts predict, the noise can be louder than even the noisiest lawnmower.

I spend a lot of time out on my back deck, and I dread the thought of these flying noisemakers darting around my head.

Every night on the news, we have ‘Cicada Watch.’ So far – no bugs. But they are coming. We’ve been assured of that.

Today, I thought about how, when I was a teenager, most of the popular songs in Southern Gospel (which is what I sang then) focused on Jesus’ return to earth. I’m sure I sang “The King Is Coming” a jillion times.

The other night, a guest speaker at our church recounted how when he was a teenager, the church choir got up to sing "The King Is Coming" and, as a surprise, they hid trumpeters in the choir loft. On a signal, they stood and blasted a trumpet call. He said his five-foot tall granny jumped about two feet – certain the Lord had returned!

But now we sing and write about God’s love, God’s goodness, and God’s blessings, but we don’t focus too much on His return. One way I know that’s true of me is my tendency to procrastinate. If I were looking for Jesus’ to appear at any moment, wouldn’t I be working more diligently to bring others to Him? Would my writing be different? Less scattered? Would I let even one opportunity pass without telling my loved ones and friends about Jesus?

My prayer is that I’ll begin each day with a “Jesus Watch.”

Prayer: God, I pray I will be more diligent in my daily life to tell others about Your love, Your Son, Jesus, and the peace you bestow when we become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Donna


Update: Well, everyone, I saw my first cicada this morning. I didn't think it looked too intimidating, until we went to Cincinnati today and I heard them en masse. They are quite loud! So the 'cicada watch' has concluded. They are officially here.

But I'll still stay on "Jesus Watch!"

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Donna

How differently we would all live if we believed "this" was the day He would return. Thank you for this reminder of the work we have been put here for. To serve Him and to tell others of His love for us.

Shari

Donna J. Shepherd said...

Shari! Thanks for stopping by, and the comments. I'm on "Jesus Watch" today!

Donna

Anonymous said...

Hey Donna! Great job on this! If those little buggers ever pop out of the ground I know I will now see them in a different light! Diane W.

Anonymous said...

Hey Donna! Great job on this! If those little buggers ever pop out of the ground I know I will now see them in a different light! Diane W.

Anonymous said...

Hey Donna! Great job on this! If those little buggers ever pop out of the ground I know I will now see them in a different light! Diane W.

Anonymous said...

Hi donna! Great devotion! When these little buggers finally pop up I'll be seeing them in a different light now! This is also a neat site and a great outlet for you! Keep it up! Diane W

Anonymous said...

You did a beautiful job! I love these!

We have those critters down here, too. We call them Katy-dids. Everyone's been talking about how they've been sleeping for so many years and are about to wake up. Amazing!

Thank you so much for the info.

Bert Owens

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Diane, for your multiple compliments! *g*

And Bert, stop back by. I appreciate your encouragement.

Donna

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post! The cicadas are here now where I live. As far as "scattered writing?" Well, just know that scattered writing ministers to scattered women like me!! Hey, God uses far more of us than we've ever even thought to offer up to Him. Love you, girl! Keep spreading the grace.

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna, I have just read all the information, stories on this site and like what I see.

If the cicadas have arrived I hope they aren't too terribly bad. We use to get them when I was in either Indiana or Illinois, can't remember, it was long ago.

Great site and yes I would like to receive the newsletter......Charleen/Chatty (a Boomer)

Anonymous said...

I wanted to tell you I enjoyed your posting and devotionals. They are very good. Make you you stop and think. - Robyn

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...