Returns…
Christmas is behind, boxes of decorations will soon be put away, and store music is already back to usual. Is life?
We mark time because we are currently captive to it. The difference between December 31st and January 1st is really a calendar year. But we look with great anticipation to putting behind things that saddened or wearied us. Look forward hoping that only good is in store. We wake up December 26th looking to five days later.
“The shepherds returned,” (Luke 2:20a NIV) They were visited, they went to see, they told everyone – and then they went back to the fields. I’m thinking those particular shepherds were never quite the same. Us?
“glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,” (Luke 2:20b NIV) Maybe it’s about how we return to daily life. We’ve been told the good news, maybe even looked into it, perhaps shared with a few people. But do we return to the ordinary of life glorifying and praising God?
Having a word for the year has become a trend. At first I ignored the idea. Then the last two I had the word grace. I wanted it to be my practice – to give more grace and to rest in God’s grace. This year I think it will be glorify. To attempt to live on purpose in a way that doesn’t glorify self, but points to glory in the highest.
“which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20c NIV) The message of the angels was just what those shepherds saw. We may think the shepherds were lucky, they got to see with their own eyes. We have to see with our hearts – faith. But I think we’re the more fortunate. Jesus said “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:19b NIV) To us He gives the Holy Spirit to see more clearly than eyes ever can. Someday time will no longer hold us, for eternity has no ticking clock.
So as we mark another Christmas celebrated and watch a clock countdown the seconds to midnight, may we awake each new morning praising and glorifying for the gift and the promise.
Treasure…
Wish I could freeze time – little feet that toddle, bright eyes seeing all as new – a grandson. I wanted to freeze time with all my children, but it marched on. And here I am, Maam Maam to a little one who finds everything amazing.
I snap picture after picture. I rock a little longer once he falls asleep. Willing time to just slow, for a few more precious moments. And so a young woman must have been bewildered as she held her baby a couple thousand years ago. She knew, like no one else ever would, that this baby was no ordinary child. She did not know all He would do, she wasn’t even sure what all she was to do with Him.
No cameras to capture precious moments, nor a way to stop the clock long enough to take it all in. “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19 NIV)
Things moved fast for Mary and Joseph – not long after His birth Jesus was brought to the temple in the Jewish tradition to be ‘consecrated to the Lord’. First old Simeon comes over and takes Jesus in his arms proclaiming salvation has come for both Israel and the Gentiles. “The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Him.” (Luke 2:33 NIV)
At that moment gray-haired Anna shuffles over giving thanks to God and telling all who were looking forward to redemption that it had arrived. No rolling cameras, no Instagram, no Facebook to post to. Just two parents and those in earshot – hearing confirmation that God had fulfilled all prophecy – and forever was being offered to all who would believe.
I wonder if Mary held a little tighter with each revelation. Pondering would He be welcomed, royalty, powerful? She could not know the opposite would be true. Selfish man would do all they could to discredit God in the flesh – even try to kill Him.
Mary’s heart must have gone back to treasured heart pictures of baby, child, teen as she witnessed His sacrifice for her and all mankind on the cross. This Christmas will we rush through the decorations, parties, wrapping going every which direction and miss the Gift? Starry nights call us to pause, to slow, to look up and ponder. Snow falls and blue skies beg a moment to show the brilliance of creation. Perhaps it’s time to stop and treasure all these things in our hearts.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness a light has dawned….For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6 NIV)
Surprise…
When was the last time you were surprised? Excited?
I’m pretty hard to surprise. Drives my hubby crazy. Top it off with being very practical, so I don’t get too excited about things either. But there have been those occasions – when I was eight and pulled the cover off the present and it was a typewriter – took my breath away. When my hubby hid my engagement ring inside the cap of a bottle of perfume – wasn’t expecting it. The amazing love that saturated me with each birth of my children – overcome by it.
Just a couple thousand years ago a bunch of scruffy, smelly shepherds were trying to keep warm and sleep out in the fields. Usually the only excitement was a wild animal trying to get dinner from their flock. But this time “An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified.” (Luke 2:9 NIV)
Yep, that would have astonished me too. In fact, I don’t think anything could top that one.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV) The thing is we usually tell everyone about our surprise moments. How excited we are. The shepherds did, when the angels (yes, more appeared with the first one) had left them, they hurried off to see the Savior. “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed” (Luke 2:17-18a NIV)
What about us? Maybe we haven’t had an angel visit, but we’ve heard the same great news they did. Who are we telling about it? Have we let it become ho-hum and fa la la la la? Ann Voskamp said that she would take “Holy days over hyped up holidays.” That’s when the awe is lost and we look more forward to the after sales than the actual celebration. If we can live these days leading up to the event as Holy Days, the awe returns.
How? Don’t just read the Christmas story or just hear it – wonder at it. Put yourself there among the sheep, look at the shepherds’ faces. Gaze up and imagine the brilliance of the angels. Let God stir up your wonder as you remember why He came: so He could have you forever with Him – and just wait til you see the surprises He has in store in forever.
A Little Less Glitter…
What a noisy world. Constantly bombarding us with the latest scandal – and then there’s news of volcanoes erupting, submarines lost, hurt after hurt.
Weary ears yearn for quiet, for all this to just stop, even for a moment. But it doesn’t. So can there be peace in the commotion? I’ve tried quiet walks, many try meditation, others pop in their earbuds. Still the noise, the bombardment returns. Only one source I know of.
Quiet descends as God’s Book is opened, in those moments there’s only one Voice. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV) Oh how we all need to know it won’t always be this way, but there will be an always where tragedy won’t even be a memory.
Here comes Christmas – to be celebrated for Who came not what’s under the tree. Celebrated for why He came, not for another party excuse. Celebrated because Jesus is the guarantee of what is to come. He is the peace in the midst of all that we witness around us or find ourselves swept up in.
So I’m thinking this year maybe a little less glitter, and a lot more glory? Merry Christmas answered to ‘Happy Holidays’ – a warm meal and some money to the homeless man – paying for the purchase of the one in line behind us? A tired waitress not only given her tip but a copy of the Word? What ways can glory be what we give this year?
We can wait on the world through politics, ecology, psychology, etc. to fix itself. But it will be a long wait. If you don’t know Jesus, let Him be your gift. If you do, then give Him glory and find the peace you so long for. His glory renews the wonder in our hearts so His peace can reign in another’s exhausted soul.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV)
Already Blessed…
Read any Dr. Seuss lately? Interesting truth in some of those writings.
There’s a Dr. Seuss called Oh, The Places You Will Go. A section mid-way through is about the ‘waiting time’ – “waiting for…the phone to ring…or for a Yes or No…just waiting.” The point was we are all making our way through life and at times it seems we are not making progress – but it’s what we do with the in between time.
The world will always lead us to believe that having the next best thing will get us to our ultimate destination. Drowning our cares in pleasures will make the journey shorter. Eat, drink, and be merry – get your fair share.
What if we lived like we’re blessed already – all that would truly make us sigh with contentment was already ours?
There’s a funny paradox in life – best said by pastor Doug McIntosh “Lots of people have learned contentment in poverty. Learning it in abundance is far less common.” Jesus taught this in Matthew 5 in a section called the beatitudes. He said blessed are those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, and who long for justice. How is any of that a blessing?
It is through the trials that we realize here and now is not all there is. Troubles often free our hearts to chase after eternal wealth, not worldly stuff.
Jesus continued on to say that we are blessed when we are merciful, pure in heart, when we are peacemakers, and when we are persecuted because we seek righteousness. Um, those also would not be what this world tells us will make us feel blessed. But it is those very things that will draw others to us – because we are different and sincerity is easily discerned by a world starving for it.
The key is: ‘blessed’ is past tense. Already blessed. When we accept the outstretched hand of Jesus all the promises of no death, no sickness, no sorrow, no want or need – are ours. Contrast those with the world’s stuff — I choose His promises. The Mercedes, the huge diamond, the mansion – when we take our last breath somebody else gets those. But when we trust God that we don’t have to grab it all now, we can rest in the enough of today.
Hear them saying grab our deal while it’s hot? The angel said “I bring you good news of great joy…a Savior is born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)
The Table…
We’re invited. We’ll be satisfied. We’ll have the perfect seat. We won’t ever want to leave.
Banquets or parties can be awkward – what to wear, where to sit, who to talk to and about what.
The there’s this: I have a hard time just relaxing and letting go when it comes to having people over. I obsess over getting everything clean, everything just so. Once everyone is there I’m good, but the lead-up causes me to often not want to invite people in the first place. And then I remember, Jesus took me just the way I was – lots of cleaning up needing to be done. People don’t come for clean floors, they come for sincere friendship.
“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13 NIV) God’s people who are in need – that’s all of us, right? In need of walking this life with more and more of Jesus. In need of knowing we aren’t the only ones who mess up. In need of practicing what we believe.
So about that table. Picture it. Full of people you know, whose hearts are transparent and pure. Covered in serving after serving of endless grace and peace. We won’t go away hungry: “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” (Luke 6:21a NIV) This is the table we long to gather around – in just a little while.
For now – if you’re in America – this week you have a chance to gather round a table. Whether it’s at a homeless shelter or in a mansion – maybe in the break room at work cause you took that shift — just gather. Because Who we give thanks to is all that matters. “My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long.” (Psalm 71:8 NIV)
Is your table missing someone this year? Is your table empty? Is your table full of strife? Maybe your table is just the way you want it. There is One who can fill the empty spot, calm the hurts, make it better than the perfect place settings. Invite Him and share so that all may “…know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19 NIV) No one will want to leave.
To the Brim…
Say there were no consequences for overeating your favorite thing – what would it be? This time of year it would be pecan pie for me, but ask me another day and I would choose fries and a Coke.
We fill up on all kinds of things everyday – not just our tummies. Our minds.
When our children were growing up we used to find all kinds of ways to help them see that what they allow into their thoughts will eventually come out in their actions. They, like us, push those boundaries. Ever think about all the mess in the world around us and where it comes from? Minds filled with selfish ways, minds so far led astray they are filled with evil intentions.
A bit closer to home – ever think about why our troubles loom large? Just like food for our bodies, our souls need us to fill up on God’s Word. To acknowledge we are filled with the Holy Spirit and be full of all that is of God. It is then fears will fade.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV) The thief – not only the enemy of our soul, but the selfishness of a world bent on filling up with that which is temporary. Jesus didn’t come to give us a temporary high, a momentary rest – no, Jesus did all He did that we could have life – forever! A life so full it spills over to those who are hungry – and so full it carries us through all these temporary troubles straight into eternity.
We go around like we’re waiting on God to fix everything – what if we went around knowing He already has? Didn’t Jesus do away with death – with our every wrong? YES, and so much more. There is this time between when He went back to the Father and when He will return for us – the filling up time. Oh Father help us not to waste now on worry. “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8 NLT)
Taste, just try it – a bit of His Word, a bit of prayer. Oh, it is good. Fill us up, Holy Spirit, to the brim – let us be so full of all that God has for us we will never settle for temporary fixes.
Just A Little Bit…
Are things going just the way you planned?
I’m guessing each of us smirked or exhaled ‘no way’. Now I know not everybody lives by a plan, an agenda, a ‘this is the way it should be’ idea. But I’m thinking most of us have this picture of the perfect life, or at least ‘it’s supposed to be this way’ life.
Most days much of the world would settle for just a little less chaos. And that’s what we do, we settle. This is not a pep talk about striving or becoming, this is filling up on what can be, what is.
In the book of Mark in the Bible there is the story of man whose son needed some serious help. The man had heard of Jesus and found a way to bring his boy to Him. When Jesus spoke to the man about his son the father finished his plea with “But if you can do anything, take pity on us.” (Mark 9:22b NIV) What happens next is me – you, each day in the uncertainties of life: “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24 NIV)
So here we sit letting the enemy stir up fears, letting worries swirl. And answers, God’s answers, not ours, are only a prayer away.
When we lay it out for God and think only the answer we seek will be enough, we forget our big God has so much more. What we need to fill up on are the promises that never fail. He fills us up with the Holy Spirit and we find all His promises: love, joy, peace. Fears can’t steal our peace, tragedies can’t squelch our joy, and our longing hearts overflow with real love.
Help our unbelief. Just a little more trust. How? Laying down ourselves before God, praying with all our might, hugging His Word tight, holding on to real hope. Not the kind that, in this world, is elusive – but the kind that comes from faith and is oh so genuine. Faith – a gift from God – it’s never a matter of not having enough, it’s a matter of exercising it. Choosing this day, at this juncture, to say I believe, I trust, I can’t see the outcome, but I can trust my God.
So how much faith do we have? If we can answer: “just a little bit more than the day before” – we have all we need. And if we can’t – it’s ours for the humble asking.
Lips to Give…
A friend said she makes her list then asks God what His agenda is – instead of bless her list, she asks what on this list is Your agenda, so it can be blessed.
Mouth hanging open. Simple. (I think I’m slow.) Yes, of course, in our own way we do this – but really, how about making it that transparent? Not what we feel must be done, not how we think we should pray for someone. What, Father, do You want done – how do you want me to pray for them?
“The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7 NLT)
His instructions revive us. His decrees make us wise. When we’re counting up the tasks, maybe we should count on Him. Funny to think this is how long God’s list for us is: “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never counts against him.” (Romans 4:8 NIV) In Jesus all sin is removed, nothing left to count, to put on the list.
In that case, since we are given such amazing grace, maybe we need to spread it around. Yep, I want to yell at the guy doing work on the house when he botches it. Grace says: we all make mistakes – don’t yell, ask if he can fix the part that didn’t come out right. “The lips of the righteous nourish many.” (Proverbs 10:21a NIV)
Nourish versus starve. Quick retorts, anger unchecked – those lips starve.
When agenda overshadows compassion, grace is lost. Yes, Father, here are our lists. You know we have much to do in this hurried world. Don’t let us miss the beauty, the hurting, the others frazzled just like us. Let us rest in the truth that if we follow Your list, then everything that we worry didn’t get done, won’t really matter. And as Ann Graham Lotz said in a prayer once: “Open our lips to give Jesus.”
Let our lips and our agendas reflect the God who is beyond time and the God who holds us secure.
You Are Qualified…
Thirty-four years – celebrating a life together. As strong ocean breezes toss my hair, I wander back in time.
Years ago a prideful young man and a selfish young woman found a grace-full God and determined they would live a life with God at it’s center. It sounded so easy back then. Many lessons have been learned. Many rough edges have been smoothed.
This is how you spend thirty-fours years together: “being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11 NIV) (confession: God brought it all, we were so naive).
Ever feel no strength, no power?
Us too. Many times money was way short, moods were dreary, and never enough hours in a day for all to be done. The presence of other believers, the prayers of many, and the unrelenting love of a glorious Savior saw us, and sees us, through all things.
Just what is the purpose of prayers for those God puts in our path? “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 NIV) But for those prayers and God’s grace, pleasing Him would not be on the radar for we are all self-centered. And bearing fruit – that of patience, kindness, goodness – those are hard to come by in the struggles of life. Only by way of God.
Whether you are single, five years or fifty years into your marriage – this world is going to fight against any relationship working out. For we are told to grab ‘happiness’ not to spread it. We are told to protect self not sacrifice for others.
Know why it takes a life time to know God? Why eternity is ours who believe right now but the fulfillment of it is yet to come? Because it takes a life time to learn that in all things, at all times we are to be: “joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:12 NIV)
You – me, we are qualified to make a marriage, parenting, friendship be all it is supposed to be – not because of anything we bring to it, but because God has set in our hearts His Holy Spirit making all things possible and working all things for the good of those who love Him.
parisrenae 