Mary, Did You Know?

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  Luke 2:19

A young and innocent girl, with a servant’s heart, one favored by God, submits her heart and her body to the purposes of the Almighty God.  In rejoicing in the blessing and holiness of God, how could she grasp the depth of her submission?

A young mother after delivering her baby boy is visited by strangers who have come to see and worship. How much more was she, herself, struck with awe and wonder at all that was happening?

A young woman watches as her son, in growing up, seems to be growing away from his parents.  He must be about his Father’s business in the temple rather than keeping up with his mother and father on their travels.  Did she know what that business was to be?

As a guest attending a wedding with her son, watching water become wine, could she grasp the significance of this miracle?  

All those memories and experiences – so mysterious – that were treasured up in her heart:  prophecies, prayers, angels, worshiping shepherds and wise men, miracles, ministry, teaching.  Did she know where this road would lead?  Could she possibly have envisioned Calvary?

Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce her soul.  Did she remember those words when she watched a sword pierce the side of her beloved son? 

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know---

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM.

Lyrics by Mark Lowry

Light and Dark

Thus says the Lord:  "Keep justice and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed."  (Isaiah 56:1)

We are in the last few days of this Advent season, the season in which we focus on the coming of the Messiah into the darkness of our world - both as a tiny baby lying in the manger and the expectant waiting for his return in great glory, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  God's salvation has come and his deliverance has been revealed.  And as Christians, we await the second coming when the fullness of his deliverance will be realized in all of creation.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)  

Yet, here we are in the "between times" where there is most definitely pain, mourning, tears and suffering. Unimaginable acts of violence, famine, natural disasters, fears and worries confront us daily, even hourly. The world can be and is a frightening place.  How do we keep justice and do righteousness in this dark world?  Recall the words from Micah 6:8: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:8)  

How is this possible?  For me, the answer is in that last phrase:  Walk humbly with your God.  Follow him, allow him to be the Lord of your life - all aspects of your life.  Allow him to love the unlovable through you, to give you a heart of compassion and mercy towards the sick, wounded and afflicted, to be his light in the darkness, to share the good news of God's salvation and deliverance, freedom to those who are in prisons of guilt, anger, shame, bitterness or unforgiveness.  To keep justice and righteousness is impossible on our own.  Only through the work and power of the Spirit can there be true justice and righteousness.  Only by abiding in Christ, living and walking in his strength, can we ever know peace in a world of confusion, pain and sorrow.

God's peace does not come from turning a blind eye to suffering, trying to be untouched or removed. Peace in the midst of suffering can only come from knowing that God is good, he is sovereign, he is holy.  He is intimately aware of every detail, he sees every tear, he hears every prayer.  In the face of evil, God is greater.  

The light of Christ has come into the world.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not [cannot] overcome it.  (John 1:5)  That's the truth, the good news of Advent.  The world needs this news. Those who are surrounded by the darkness are crying out for the light to break through.  In God's infinite wisdom, he has chosen you and me to be his light bearers. 

• “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  (Matt. 5:14-16) 
• For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)
• Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.... (Phil.2:14-16)
• Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12)

Good Morning!

I woke up early this morning, enjoyed my cup of tea, read my Bible and my devotionals.  Nice to enjoy the quiet of the house and not be rushed.  Now, as I write this, it's still pretty dark outside; the sun is barely making itself known.  But that's all it takes to signal the birds that it's time to wake up.  I have my window open just a little bit and can hear the chirps and tweets as the little creatures start to stir, start to sing and greet this new day.  It's pure instinct.

The Scriptures are full of verses recounting the many ways creation gives praise and glory to its Creator.  It's part of the very nature of nature to reflect the beauty of the One who called it all into being.  The heavens declare the glory of the Lord, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork (Ps. 19:1).  The birds sing and chirp to welcome each new day; the rhythm of their existence matching the rhythm of sunrise to sunset.  I used to own a parrot that had a fairly decent vocabulary.  Every evening she would let us know she was "ready to go night-night", her request becoming more insistent the later it got until she'd finally say, "Emmy go night-night, right now!"  What an amazing thing to pay attention to the created order, the cycles of sleep and alertness, to see the ways creation responds to God's order.

Shouldn't we follow the example?  Sabbath - keeping the Sabbath - is a command.  Rest for our bodies, rest for our minds, is crucial to maintaining health and well-being.  Rest for our souls - finding our rest in God, abiding, being still, waiting and sitting in silence, listening for God's still small voice to speak to our spirits being present to Love, resting in Love, knowing Peace.  Our quiet time with God, our creator and sustainer, brings us into the presence of the very essence of love and peace, joy and wisdom, the one who calls us each by name and longs to spend one-on-one time with us.  Be still (cease striving) and know that he is God: our creator, sustainer, guide, protector, a very present help in times of trouble, a comfort to those who mourn, the one who will one day restore all creation, wipe away every tear, and welcome us into the arms of our Good Shepherd, our loving and faithful Lord.  In the meantime, we can enjoy moments of true peace even in the midst of this crazy, chaotic world, as we seek God's face, listen for his voice and rest with him and in him.

Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. (Mark 6:31)

Expect the Unexpected

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.  (Matthew 17:1-8 ESV)

Rise and have no fear.

Jesus spoke these words to Peter, James and John when they were so overcome and terrified by the awesome presence and voice of God at the time of Jesus' transfiguration.

Rise and have no fear.

The bright cloud that overshadowed them, the voice of God coming from that cloud, the experience of having seen Moses and Elijah!  They had every reason to find themselves on their faces in holy fear and trembling.

Rise and have no fear.

Jesus speaks.  Their teacher, friend, the one they have been walking with and listening to, that sweet and familiar voice calming their fears and bringing them back to earth from their incredible mountaintop experience.

Rise and have no fear.

These three men have had their eyes opened to the greater reality, to a deeper understanding of God's purpose in and through the life and mission of their Master.  Their scope of vision, their limited understanding had been abruptly altered; their minds must have been reeling!  Jesus' voice tells them that this is not a time to be fearful.  They must rise and be about the business at hand, fulfilling the divine mission.

Just like these three dear men, we occasionally need our understanding stretched, our eyes opened, our attention drawn toward heaven - toward God's purposes and plans for our lives.  We limit ourselves, we expect too little from God.   What does it take to shift our awareness, our expectations?  How can we become more willing to be surprised by God's holy purpose for our own lives?

Several times over the years of my Christian walk, I've prayed the words of Isaiah 6:  "Here I am!  Send me." I've prayed those words fearfully, sincerely and expectantly; they have not been prayed flippantly. Each time, I've had the sense of a holy encounter, a moment of choice - a choice to willingly and gladly submit to God's plans for my life, whatever they are and wherever he leads me.

Lately, I've been sensing a new direction emerging, a new path.  I have that feeling of a child on Christmas Eve holding a beautifully wrapped gift that is not yet ready to be opened.  I might shake it, look at it and wonder, but nothing gives away the surprise inside.  As an adult, I have worries  and what if's that go along with my curiosity: What changes will be required once I know what's inside my gift?  As I wonder what my future may hold, I hear the voice of Jesus saying, "Rise and have no fear."  I must keep on walking the path he has laid before me - on his path, following his leading and walking alongside the one who promises never to leave me or forsake me.

Following the examples of Peter, James and John, I trust Jesus to explain what I don't yet understand and to show me the way. I believe these men were learning to expect the unexpected! I can't wait to open my "gift" and see what's inside!

The Power of Love

Over the past weeks and months, I've had encounters and reminders that fall under the category of "the power of love".  I used those words as a title for a post I wrote for our church Advent blog but even before then the nudges were coming, the phrase was floating around in my thoughts.  Not a bad thing to have hanging out in your mind.  This morning as I wrote in my journal and reflected on yesterday's prayer opportunities, I had even more examples and thoughts to file away in my mental file cabinet.  I wondered: how many people really have an encounter - a true experience - with the power of God's love?  Are they just words heard in a sermon or read in an inspirational book (or blog)?  How does the reality line up with the words?  

We see the power of love in our many relationships; it can bring comfort, happiness, laughter and even sadness when it's taken away.  We get a deeper glimpse into love's power to render us speechless at the birth of our child, a marriage, or a death, sickness or other tragedy.  These experiences, as strong as they can be, are only mere shadows of the power of the love of God.  Using those same words from my earlier comment (comfort, happiness, laughter, sadness) and examining or experiencing those emotions in the light of God's love is like going form 0 - 60 in a nanosecond.  The deep comfort God provides is a comfort beyond anything the world can give us; it goes to the core of who we are, the very heart of our beings.  Happiness becomes true joy; laughter can become a joyous release, a child-like freedom way beyond the laughter we share over humorous events.  Attending the birth of a child, sharing that experience in the light of God's presence and love, can open our eyes to creation as never before, to the precious, unconditional and holy love God has for us, his children.

I prayed this morning to be allowed to continue to share the power of God's love with those he sends my way.  I'm blessed to be part of a powerful and active prayer ministry and see people's lives transformed over and over again by that power.  There is no greater force, no greater power, no greater love; it's so far from the watered-down version we are prone to believe in.  The thing that continues to amaze me is how God allows me, as a prayer minister, to be ministered to and blessed by the same powerful love he is pouring out on the person we are praying for.  I get to splash around in the same waterfall of love and for that I will be eternally grateful, blessed and amazed!

I've been away from this blog for quite a while.  During that time, I've been working on my own thoughts and ways of understanding God's hand on my life.  It's been a time of prayer, reflection, discussion, lots of questions and sometimes few answers; but always the awareness that God has never left.  He is, in fact, closer and more present than I can ever imagine.  He's teaching me more deeply what it means to abide in him, to walk in his power and love even into dark or difficult places, to love those who may be difficult to love, to serve when, instead, I want to be served, and to look to him as the sufficiency for ALL my needs. He is enough.  He is more than enough.  When I look to people in my life to do what only God can do, he gently pulls me back and reminds me to lift my eyes and look to him.  

Even as I wrote the words "lift my eyes", I had to pause.  It's a wrong description, isn't it?  We don't even have to look up or around or out there somewhere to see God.  At that first gentle prompting he's already looking at us, calling our name and drawing us to himself by the power of his sweet, tender love.