Still Doing Stupid
Right now, in the midst of trying to capture the wonder, it’s more like caught in the weary.
Ever been in that place where things were going along just fine – then suddenly without warning everything is a tangled mess. How easily we wound one another. Even unintentionally. Because that selfish nature is always there, the constant battle.
Attacks come from without – a world of people bent on having things their way, spiritual warfare bound and determined to destroy God’s children, and then there’s…us. “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” (Romans 7:21 NLT)
Odd verse and start for this Christmas season. But I have a feeling I’m not alone in this. Though life has always been a struggle throughout the centuries, I think the constant stress and unrelenting pressure of now is a bit intense. Add to it even something that seems good like a trip, or family event, or holiday – well things can go awry.
I wish I had the answer to the question we’re asking: how can the mess be erased, and the hurt caused be forgotten?
Maybe it can’t, maybe it won’t. But here’s another truth, God can use it all. Will use it all. “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:13 NLT)
This is the learning ground, the hard stuff playing field where lots of bruises and breaks will happen. And all the admonitions from God about forgiveness are valid, just not easy.
It goes back to this: if you were the hurter and not the one hurt, what would you want them to know? For me it’s this: ‘I’m still a work in progress, I still do stupid, and with all my heart I did not intend to hurt your heart.’
So, as we make the trek toward the Savior – whom angels announced, who entered our world when daily greed and grief was all too real, who experienced these same things while in the flesh – perhaps the trek itself is a gift. A daily learning of how fallen we are and how desperately we need not only Jesus in the manger, but the Prince of Peace on the cross. The gift we’ll open will be a someday life of no more hurts. That’s very merry indeed.
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NLT)
Longing
We’re at that point: the place somewhere between the excitement of the approaching celebration and the fulfillment of all the plans and preparations.
The longing time. Longing, in some ways, to move on because it seems life is too hectic. But really longing for all this to be more meaningful. To be more than all the decorations and traditions. Feeling a little weary but hopeful.
“My soul faints with longing for Your salvation, but I have put my hope in Your word.“ (Psalm 119:81 NIV)
Little boys – ages 1, 2, and 3 – stare in awe at all the twinkly lights. I stare in awe at them. Like three wise men they circle around the tree. They stare big-eyed at the houses decked out with the stuff of Christmas. They giggle and run, feeling the excitement even if they don’t quite get it yet.
Oh Jesus, let that be us. Teach us anew to circle around the cross. To stare in wonder at Your Word. To live the excitement of Your Advent. “And the Word came in the flesh, and lived for a time in our midst, so that we saw His glory–the glory as of the Father’s only Son, sent from His presence. He was full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 WNT)
Fill us with Your grace and truth to make us wise. Help us learn true wisdom is found when resting in the presence of our Savior. Calm our earthly longings and point us toward the eternal promise: God with us. Emmanuel!
While angels may not appear in our dark nights, remind us they are still singing: Glory to God in the highest! And while chaos may try and suck us in, remind us that we have the peace and goodwill of God – which is for all who believe: Jesus, born to us.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people…a Savior has been born to you; He is Messiah the Lord…Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:10b, 11b, 14 NIV)
Above All
This year Christmas feels like a welcome breath of air, a sweet sound of peace, a deep sense of comfort.
Perhaps things not being the same (normal) for months now is bringing about a desire for what is real and lasting. Although we long for what has been lost, we need what we can be sure of. That deep desire inside us is the same for everyone. It’s this place in us that only Jesus can fill – for only Jesus can give us forever.
“I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” (Ephesians 3:19 CEV)
We are so wrapped up in what we can see, we forget about the one wrapped in swaddling clothes for us. We focus so much on now, that we forget that this isn’t all there is. We have been deceived into believing we need to get what we ‘deserve’ and we forget that, by the grace of God, we do not get what we deserve.
Time to spend the rest of this year wanting the Giver more than all other gifts. The Name above all names will right all wrongs, will heal all wounds, will make whole all brokenness, will give us a forever of no more fear or sorrow – ever. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NIV)
Let’s do Christmas different this year. Sure, put up the tree, put some gifts under. But before all that, during all that, and after all that: let’s get to know this Savior better. Let’s pray more. Let’s sing His praises. Let’s rejoice in God always.
This Christmas let’s make sure to really share some cheer – the kind that makes our hearts joy-full because it’s eternal. Let’s celebrate the One who is above all things.
“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 NIV)
Thankful?
We say it, but do we mean it?
It’s easy to let it roll off the tongue: ‘thanks’, ‘thanks much’, ‘thanks a lot’. And not just to each other. In prayer: ‘thanks, God, for ____ (fill in the blank)’, ‘thanks, Jesus, for what you’ve done for me’, ‘thanks, Father, for Your Word’. But whether with each other or God, how sincere are we?
Often we just move on waiting for the next thing to be thankful for. Perhaps a pause this week as America celebrates Thanksgiving – and a daily pause – to ponder what thankfulness really is and how to live it not just say it. “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17 HCSB)
I love the simplicity of the Bible. Yes, it can be quite deep and complex. But then suddenly, it opens up and sums up the ‘need to know’: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)
Life is hard. It doesn’t always turn out the way we thought it should. We don’t always want to walk the road we find ourselves on. I’m guessing the men and women who travelled the Atlantic and suffered the loss of life and livelihood to make a new life in America weren’t too thrilled at first either. But their response: find joy, keep praying, thank God no matter what. A good lesson for you and me.
We have something the whole world needs. It’s more precious than all the money on earth combined can buy. It never wears out, never goes away, gets more valuable with every moment. The more we share it, the more it’s worth.
It’s called salvation and we don’t have to sacrifice or spend money to get it. It’s a free gift, for the asking. And we can ask this too: Jesus, help us live with sincere hearts.
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:22a, 23-24 NIV) Live Thanksgiving.
A Sign
We used to own a sign store. We made little vinyl signs and we made signs the size of a small house. Some were for businesses to announce their location, some were banners announcing a special occasion.
It may be a bit early, but this year aren’t we all a little more excited about: the birth, the coming, the miracle? A baby – born to a virgin – who lived a sinless life – knew God’s will – gave sight to blind and a thousand other miracles – then died, willingly – and then…defeated death and rose to life so that all who believe will never die.
Many signs announced Jesus. From Isaiah of old telling of a virgin birth, to a star and angel choir welcome, to one calling in the desert and preparing the way, to the scorning and abuse by those who should have recognized Messiah, to whiplash stripes removing his skin, to outstretched arms taking our sin, and ushering in eternity. “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.” (John 1: 10 NIV)
Even so we still ask for a sign.
“He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11 NIV) If You do this Lord, I’ll do that. Don’t you care Lord, heal me. If God is good, then why evil? If God is love, then why allow hate? A sign, then we’ll believe.
And so with heavenly patience He grants our next breath. Extends salvation to another hungering seeker. Holy Spirit reveals Himself through His Word, His promises. He holds the cosmos in order. Welcomes each believer stepping from death bed to eternal ever.
One miraculous moment after another.
For those with hearts to see, ears to hear. But a deaf world is tuned in only to what the next power grab is, what the next paycheck will buy, what the next moment of fame will bring.
Here’s our sign (for all who will believe): “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 NIV)
Reset
Time for a reset – so much we can’t control. Evil does prevail at times. Was God looking the other way, asleep? Hardly.
We tend to lose focus. We think all outcomes, that aren’t what we had hoped for, are personal. Like we’re the superstar of the universe – what we think is best, must surely be what God has in mind as well.
So whatever our current disappointment, challenge, or loss is – sometimes it just helps to take a step back. Ask the big questions: if things never work out the way I desperately need them too, can I still trust God? If hard times come, can I still find joy? “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV)
Answers to these questions must be: yes. Because any other answer means the God we say we believe in, isn’t much of God after all. Life has a way of working on each one of us. The end result always was – and will be – getting us to the point where we proclaim, it is well with my soul – no matter what.
Personally, I don’t care much for all the polishing it’s taking to get me to let go of doubt or fear or worry. But I am grateful for it. Each day we grow closer to Jesus, is a day well-lived. We spend too much time trying to control a situation, worrying about an outcome, or stewing in anger over wrongs.
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him…Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:5, 8 NIV)
After a year of ups and downs and sideways, we need to step back and breathe. Let’s do a reset, right now. Instead of focusing on setbacks and loss, or grief and pain, or even elections and consequences – we look up to our Help. Instead of our daily agenda, we ask Jesus: ‘What is today’s agenda?’
Easier said than done when we’re sick, or a loved one passes, or child is in trouble, or the bank account is empty – or the myriad of life’s woes that chase us. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
Trust more, doubt less. Loosen our grip and feel His hold. Truly believe He is closer than our skin, because His Holy Spirit is in us. Begin turning our focus away from our big problems to our big God. In the end we’ll find He had it all under control. And the ‘end’ isn’t reality – for those who know Jesus, it’s an amazing beginning.
Declare
It’s November. When the ‘shelter in place’ thing first happened, I thought it would be a very long year. Instead it has passed like most of life – like a vapor.
Along with all the Covid stuff has been much more than we could have anticipated. Riots, politics, wars abroad, weather catastrophes, churches shut down – does the list end? Through it all, right from the start of this ‘new normal’, God has manifested Himself in amazing and unexpected ways.
Instead of meeting in each other’s homes, our neighborhood Bible study met at a park. In places no one would expect (southern California beaches and refugee tent camps and more), thousands of souls have heard that Jesus loves them. Life is meant for a single purpose – “I will declare that Your love stands firm forever” (Psalm 89:2a NIV)
Comes a time when we look back and realize how very quickly things move. I’m quite sure I was thirty-something not long ago. But age gives perspective as well. If you’re young, I get it, the not understanding those beyond fifty. I didn’t when I was young either. And our society has made us believe anyone with the signs of life etched on their outsides are irrelevant.
I, for one, wish I had sought out wisdom from those who walked the road ahead of me. Wish I had listened to those who tried to speak life-giving words to me. “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25 NIV)
Want the answers to life’s questions? The solution for your current problem? The help you can’t find anywhere?
I’ve learned all my worrying hasn’t helped any situation. I’m still learning I’m not in control of the outcomes of the lives of those I love. Most of all I’m learning that the best way to put aside fretting and fears is to declare God’s Truth. We find answers when we acknowledge God is in control, God really does know best, and God may not answer our way – but His answers will not fail us.
I’m thinking children know something we’ve forgotten: approach all of life in expectation. God is always with us. Earthly life is a dash between two dates. Never ending life is awaiting Jesus followers – we will be awestruck. We’ll declare – Oh my God, how do you love me so? “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to You; were I speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” (Psalm 40:5 NIV)
Always Known…
When my mom passed away I thought: she was the only one who knew me before I was even born. But that’s not true.
So many verses throughout the Bible speak of God knowing us from even before time. Don’t we all just want someone who really gets us? Someone, who even when we spout off something we don’t mean (or do mean), wants to be right beside us?
My three year old grandson knows I get him (for the most part 🙂 ). He talks away and comes up with crazy ideas. Sometimes he will pout and insist on his way. Sometimes he wears himself out and gets grouchy. I get it. Kind of like you and me – I know I pout, want my way, have crazy ideas, and definitely get grouchy. God spoke to Jeremiah long ago, but Jeremiah is flesh and blood just like us and so the Father’s words transcend time: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5a NIV)
During the parenting years our children are sure we don’t understand them. That we’re too old, or not enlightened, or old school. Oh for some way to break through that friction parents and children have. If only they knew that we do so get them, we were once them thinking the same things.
The heart of Jesus aches the same. He wants us to know He understands. So much so that He took on flesh and walked this crazy earth. He knows how frail our bodies, hearts, and minds are. And He knows we long for a time when all the hard stuff is done with.
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16 NIV)
And get this, this is how well God knows us: “Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.” (Psalm 139:4 NIV) Well, I don’t think anyone else knows our next words right?
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to indwell us – kind of a hard concept – but when we become Christians that is what happens. Talk about being well-known. In essence, that truth means we are never alone.
“Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you.” (John 14:16 CEV) Need someone who gets You? Just ask. You’ve always been known.
Required…
Sometimes we cling so tightly to something that it slips right through our grasp.
Look at the things we cling to: a spouse for fear of losing them, children in fear something may happen to them, a job fearing another may not come along, money because it ‘solves’ all our problems, position because it defines us.
Until we wake up one day and find our grasping hand empty. The tighter we hold on, the more we realize people or things are not what our worth is found in. When we open our hands we find freedom (and not just for ourselves). Our releasing makes room for the Father to do those miracles that seem so elusive. God calls us to cling to Jesus, bury our head in the Holy Spirit, trust God with what we count as precious.
In the quiet of this morning an unwelcome question came to mind, unwelcome but hitting the mark. Why do we make so many demands on those we love, on life itself?
God only requires three things of us: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV) Neglect even one of these and we position ourselves for resentment, fear, anger, worry.
If we act justly then we are living lives that don’t encroach on the well-being of others. By loving mercy we let go of pride, self-righteousness, keeping score. And when we walk humbly – with God, peace is our path and strife melts away.
Often it feels like our very bones groan with the weight of life’s burdens. We forget these precious words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)
Light can break through our darkness. Our night will shine like the day if we will lift up our eyes to our Help. When Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem two blind men cried out to Him: “…’What do you want Me to do for you?’ he asked. ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him.” (Matthew 20:33b-34 NIV) Two often missed words in that passage: followed Him. Open our eyes Lord so we may follow You. It’s all that’s required.
Be Ready…
Life is moving fast. Barely time to anticipate an event or occasion and it’s done and the next one is coming.
We just went on vacation – Smoky Mountain cool and nights of good sleep. But here we are along with the rest of the world in the thick of crazy lives again. And, do you sense this is how the rest of our days will be? As in hectic, chaotic, unrested?
Words are running through my mind trying to put into perspective the times we’re living in: expectation, awaken, revive, change, be ready. “Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” (1Peter 3:15 CEV)
On our trip I found something sacred and special that is universal: the body of believers, those devoted to Jesus, are the same no matter where we roam. The same hope, the same faith, the same peace, most of all the same love. We happened on to a very small church and were a little nervous to go in.
Welcome, we were welcome. The music was wonderful, the message right on. God moves in the heart of His people wherever they are. When worship is heartfelt and the message shared are His words, longing souls are bound together by the Holy Spirit.
“Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.” (Galatians 3:28 CEV)
So what I see and feel most right now is a call from God to be ready. Look around, don’t waste time. Days are spinning by fast and someday the end of them will come. What are we doing to reach those we love? Those God loves?
This faith of ours can’t be a selfish faith. We are not called to find Jesus and then hide hoping everyone else will figure it out. We’re called and then filled with His Spirit. Filled so that we can share the freedom with have in Christ. “All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, He freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.” (Romans 3:23-24 CEV)
We can no longer live like there will always be tomorrow. Only God knows the number of each of our days. “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40 ESV) This crazy world needs the hope we have. For this hope – of everlasting, never ending days full of good things – is precious and is for all who will call on the Name: Jesus Christ.
parisrenae 