In Between…
1938-2011, July 23-27, choose a span of time. Notice the commonality: the hyphen. From point a to point b. A dash, in time.
We live here in between. Between our first breath on earth and our last. Time here never seems long enough. Mortality is foreign to us. Implanted in our souls is eternity. And so we will be. Eternally with God or forever separated. What we do during the in between isn’t nearly so significant as Who we know. I am quite certain the one who finds Jesus in the last microsecond would tell us: ‘if only I had known Who I was missing’.
Who we know, God the Father, His Son, the Holy Spirit – it is He who makes the in between rich and full.
Can’t get this tune out of my head and heart – reaches deep in my soul and says: Who do you see? Be Thou My Vision – written almost 600 years ago. When we look at sky or pavement. When we greet family or stranger. The created, us, even our greatest accomplishments are His enabling. All peoples bearing His image. Do we see?
When did we get so lost? Oh yes, in the garden. When being like God was the temptation. And so it is to this day. God of our own course. How freeing when surrender comes and we willingly let Jesus be King of our heart – His vision showing us real life.
“The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life–life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10 GNT)
Sometimes we just need to close our eyes to see. Looking at circumstances, we get lost in what ifs. Seeking after the world’s treasures, finding dissatisfaction. Seeing with our hearts and spirits – only way to know peace is real.
“Thou my best thought, by day or by night; Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” We think lots of thoughts throughout the day. We walk in broad daylight as though stumbling in darkness. Best thoughts are those focused on Jesus, His light leading us on. Til this in between becomes our someday always. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24 NIV)
There is a Name…
Out of town recently we were staring up at the ornate architecture of a 150 year old building when I hear my husband’s name being called. I’m thinking: ‘who could possibly be here in this mountain town that knows us?’ It was heartwarming to meet up with a dear friend.
Names are important – instead of ‘hey you’ we call to each other personally. I sing a song to my grandson called ‘There is a Name I Love to Hear’. It’s my way of teaching him the Name of Jesus. Name above all names. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9 NIV)
Guess what – you have a name known only by God, but someday when He calls to you using it, you will know it is your real name. The one you were always meant to be called by.
It will sound like music in your ear and you will feel completely known. Known in a way so intimate, so filled with love. What a day that will be. “I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17 CSB)
And then we will discover each other’s new names and see how perfect they are for each of us. From an infinite God will flow a different name uniquely suited to His children. Our forever name.
But forever and always the Name that will quicken our heart to joy, fill our soul with unending peace, and constantly renew our wonder is the Name of Jesus. There is a Name – and found in it is all we could ever want. “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 2:10-11 NIV)
Link to the lyrics of the song ‘There is a Name I Love to Hear’: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/70
For the Joy…
Caught in joy – that moment after working for months on a project, it’s finished, and you get the big check or promotion. That moment after training for months on end and you complete the race in record time. That moment after going through labor and delivery and that downy head snuggles you. We persevere, work hard, and endure because we anticipate the outcome and count it worth the effort.
Ever ponder the day in and day out of Jesus’ life once He began to fulfill His purpose on earth? Scorn, ridicule, shunning. Sometimes from those closest to Him. And top it off with imprisonment, beating, crucifixion.
Why would He willingly accept all this? Not just His duty. Surely not to prove a point. “…who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2b NIV)
Since before your first breath you were known by the Creator of life. For your sake He endured the ultimate of sacrifices. You are His joy – He endured all evil man could do to Him – even temporary separation from God during His time on the cross – because He said ‘you are worth it’. (not to mention all the sin yet to be committed – by me, by you)
“When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:3 NLT)
Such love our hearts cannot fathom. Willing to suffer? To die? Wants us to be with Him? Always? Even if we were to lay down our life for another, it would still be a temporary act of love.
The act of love Jesus fulfilled is permanent . A forever, no more sorrows, no more pain, no more fear, no more worry fulfillment. Only Jesus can give a soul that assurance.
This life will have its ups and downs aplenty. Just remember: “There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.” (1Peter1:6b NLT) Even though trials – for the joy we know is ours, we can trust all is well.
Light Shine…
A zillion stars dance across a velvet sky as fire flies flit below. The wonder of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Unplug for a few days with me. If you share in the free gift of salvation, let the Light in you shine. If you don’t have His Light, it is free, just ask.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ “ (John 8:12 NIV)
Where darkness blinds, the Light of the world penetrates. Now, more than ever, this world needs to know the Light. Celebrate America not just with a parade or fireworks, but with a banner of freedom that is granted by God not by man. (next week back to regular post)
Fear Knot?
I’m realizing days in this world often speak these words: ‘Lord, why?’ Whether it’s the saddest of stories half a world away, or right at home in what seems the worst.
Ken Ham (Answers In Genesis founder) says “I now see God was using those circumstances to prepare us for His plans – beyond what we could ever imagine.” That’s how it is, a looking back. A Bible full of ‘look backs’ resounds with His faithfulness. But still each of us must have a lifetime of looking back, seeing for ourselves His trustworthiness.
So little by little we take steps of faith – trusting the best we can. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
Starting to teach my two year old grandson to pray – his favorite part is Amen. Turns out it should be our favorite part as well. Simply, it means ‘So be it’. But not as in our telling God what to do, as in acknowledging we’ve laid out those prayers and we know His answers are always the best.
Here’s a really cool thing: Amen is also one of the names of Jesus. “These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” (Revelation 3:14 NIV)
Jesus is our ‘so be it’. Not a magic lamp to rub and get all our wishes – a peace, joy, comfort, strength far beyond our own. All the fears this world tries to settle on us are silenced forever in Jesus our Amen.
Today I’m calling that uneasy tummy feeling our fear knot and telling our souls to fear not!
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 ESV) I love Jesus’ tender phrases: ‘little flock’ – caring for us knowing we are little compared to all the darkness that wants to threaten us. ‘Good pleasure’ – nothing pleases Him more than seeing us through right into forever. ‘Give you’ – no price we have to pay, nothing we have to do. He gives us the kingdom – eternity.
No more fear knots – just baby steps of faith. “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen”, (which means “Yes”), ascends to God for His glory.” (2Corinthians 1:20 NLT)
Last Time…
Sometimes we never know – when the last time of something will be.
This crazy world has us saying ‘It’s Friday already’ or ‘It’s Monday again’. Time whirls by and we go through each day as though we always will. We set aside certain days as special – a birthday, holiday, anniversary. But what about today?
I listened as a movie trailer said ‘what if you knew today was the last day of your life’. Hmm, thinking on that I realized we don’t know – so how should we live? “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of My return.” (Matthew 25:13 NLT)
Here’s the conclusion that occurred to me: today is the last time, the one and only time, we will live today. We don’t get this day back, no do over or ‘again, again’ as my grandson says about our fun playing.
Yes, those who have Jesus do get forever and there is so much (so, so much) comfort in that. But He has given us this day. It is a gift. Why do we live it as ho-hum? I’m not saying decorated cakes and gifts everyday. I’m saying break out of the deception that keeps us plowing along, so often missing the glory of the next moment. “But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.” (Hebrews 3:13 CSB)
Today is the last time I will kiss my husband good morning on this day, the last time I will twirl my grandsons at the very age they are today, the last time I will stroke my aging kitty’s fur just the way he is right now.
Tomorrow is never a given. While we can’t live in fear of no more chances to wake up to wonder once again, we’re way past due to wake up in the moment of now and cherish it. This is the day the Lord has made – rejoice! Be glad in it! “God Most High, I will rejoice; I will celebrate and sing because of You.” (Psalm 9:2 CEV)
RESToration…
Projects – a lot of work. Restoring something – an old chair or an old house requires…yikes, patience.
I’m wondering if Jesus has ever said ‘yikes’ as He takes us on to restore us to Him? For some the restoration of our spirit by His Holy Spirit comes at a young, tender age. Things aren’t completely rusted or worn down – still it’s a life-long process. For some this work begins later in life, so many broken pieces, walled off areas of hearts.
Unlike our projects of bathroom remodels or vintage cars, the transforming work of Jesus isn’t seen this side of heaven. Still He persists. “…and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into His likeness in an ever greater degree of glory.” (2Corinthians 3:18b GNT)
Recently I had some much needed down time. I’ve found that refurbishing of our souls doesn’t require a lot busyness. It seems to come in rest. The more I rested the more refreshed I became.
One morning I woke just before the sky lightened. I tiptoed out back in my nightgown and sat in the cool air looking up as dawn revealed more and more of this little piece of the world. That’s how it is with us. Little by little Jesus restores us – revealing a bit less worry, a tad more patience, a new found joy or peace. “Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” (2Corinthians 4:10 NLT)
We’re all about ‘what do I need to do’ – when Jesus is all about ‘rest in My doing’. This is hard for those of us who just want to reach the goal or want to see that last puzzle piece laid in.
My grandson loads his little excavators with scoops of sand and pours them in the waiting dump trucks. Never bothers him when much of it lands on the ground. He just keeps filling and dumping and enjoying the process.
Hmm, that’s it, can we trust God enough to let Him fill what’s lacking in our souls and dump out the stuff that crowds out faith? RESToration comes as He prepares us for a someday where all the old has been made new. And His treasures (yes, you and me) will never rust or spoil or fade. “…and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away.” (1Peter 1:3 GNT)
Delay Tactics…
Nap time or bedtime – words that signal little boys to suddenly find many things to do.
In the end maybe they were successful delaying closing those eyes, but it eventually happened. I learned a life lesson recently that I wish I had embraced long ago. Pastor Todd Mullins recounted the wilderness wanderings of the Jewish people in the book of Genesis. A journey towards freedom from an oppressive past that should have taken three or four weeks, took forty years.
Complaining and doubting had them walking around in circles, getting nowhere. Was he talking to me? My doubting could lead to delays? “But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6 HCSB)
Truly we trust God – just kinda want to help Him now and then. Truly we believe He can do what seems impossible – could He just send a note confirming it’s all good? I’m not saying our doubts altar God’s plan – for He will accomplish His purposes no matter what. But what if our doubts steal our peace, our joy, our ability to be genuine?
And what if our doubts hinder not just us, but those around us? “Remind me each morning of Your constant love, for I put my trust in You. My prayers go up to You; show me the way I should go.” (Psalm 143:8 GNT)
Suddenly doubt, unbelief, lack of faith – whatever we call it, takes on a whole new light. I’ve mentioned before the father who brought his son to Jesus to heal. Jesus inquired if the father believed. The father responded (paraphrase): ‘Absolutely, umm help my unbelief’. Perhaps until we see Him face to face, doubts will rise. But maybe if we acknowledge we could be missing out on a whole lot of blessing, we’ll be able to surrender sooner.
I don’t want to wander in the wilderness. This world is not our home but it is our reality for now. Focusing on the problem = defeat. Focusing on His faithfulness = His answers. Pastor Todd went on to say that God’s uses three ways to lead us to His answers: 1. the problem itself as it grows and stretches and leads us 2. prayer as we believe God for His answer and seek Him diligently, and 3. a person, who may just be the blessing we need. Or who knows, maybe we’re their answer.
No more delay tactics.
I Declare…
My childhood was a bit eclectic when it came to speech. From deep south ‘Well I declares’ to out west trend setting phrases.
I’m finding words are not wasted in the Bible. Each purposeful, each calling attention. Many times in the book of John he says ‘Jesus said’ – but a few times he says ‘Jesus declared’.
Pondering this one: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.’ “ (John 6:35 NIV) It’s strong and sincere and done to get the attention of the listener.
This is what Jesus wants us to know beyond doubt: when we surrender our life to Him we will never feel hunger again. Not the tummy growling kind, the longing kind. We will never thirst again. Not the parched throat kind, the unsatisfied kind.
And so in our doubts of life that we’ll still be tossed about by, we will feel His presence and know there is no other. No other peace, no other promise, no other help.
Oh we will still lift up tear-filled eyes and ask why? What purpose? We will still feel weary at times. But Jesus goes on to say just five verses later: “For My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40 NIV)
So now while we wait that last day, it is to us to declare. Because this is a promise that is to be shared.
There’s a beautiful song, Ancient Words, that sums up what we must remember about this Bible He’s preserved for us. From the sweet words of Jesus and the life lessons of all who have gone before. Many today will relegate it to a collection of antiquities, maybe admired but not taken seriously.
But hearts sealed for Jesus know this: “Holy words long preserved, for our walk in this world. They resound with God’s own heart. Oh, let the Ancient words impart…Words of Life, words of Hope. Give us strength, help us cope. In this world, where e’er we roam ancient words will guide us Home.” Hear this declaration sung so beautifully below – be changed and declare!
After All…
“In all the setbacks we experience in life, God is plotting for our joy – but it’s probably not going to look like you think.” (Pastor Jay Holland)
My mind has been turning over the saying ‘after all is said and done’. Six words that hold a lot of meaning. In our self-focus we usually use them hoping for our idea of an outcome. What if it isn’t at all like we pictured?
When all is said and done, no matter the outcome, will we say: ‘I still trust God, He’s got this’ ? “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.” (John 14:1 NIV)
Recently I’ve been reading author Dee Brestin and she said “Sometimes when you find out Jesus is all you have, then you realize that’s all you need.”
I’ve been turning that over too. Because truth is, Jesus is everything. His breath breathed life, His hands formed mountains, and He knits together wee babes. “My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.” (Psalm 139:15-16a NIV)
So going back to what Pastor Jay said, God is plotting for our joy – all our steps and mis-steps. Nothing makes Him say: ‘Uh-oh didn’t see that coming’. All things do work out for the good of those who love Him – sometimes it may not be right now. But right now is temporary. The someday of forever is good – always.
Turns out all those ‘what ifs’ I’ve let stop me cold in my tracks weren’t beyond His control. All my regrets haven’t tarnished the good in store.
After all…all these earth days – God is good. His love is perfectly good – and our good is His utmost joy. “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16b NIV)
parisrenae 