Christmas trees strung with brilliant lights...gifts given and received...children's eyes shining brightly with the anticipation of Christmas morning...
It should be a time of joy and gladness for all involved...at least it SHOULD be that way. As we gather with family and friends, our love for one another SHOULD abound, and any hard feelings SHOULD disappear. But that's not always how it happens, is it?
Christmas for some is a drudgery, because they know they'll have to see "him" or "her" again. Now, I am by no means trying to lessen the emotions that come along with a damaged heart, but I am saying that it's sad that we often find ourselves concentrating so much on those broken relationships at Christmas, that we often forget the most important relationship - Christ coming as a Babe to be Emmanuel - God with us!
So, for those who will struggle this year in their "going home," I've got a plan for you. This year, decide ahead of time not to dwell on and dread the reuniting of your family and friends, but take joy in what the Lord can do when we bring those relationships to Him.
Not too long ago, I was reading my Bible, and the Lord showed me something I'd never seen before. He actually was speaking directly to a relationship issue, haunting me at the time, but I would never have guessed He would have chosen this particular passage to do it. After all, this passage seemingly had nothing to do with my situation. Isn't it amazing how God takes something from His Word and applies it to our lives in many different ways?
To bring the context into focus, I'll tell you that Jesus had just taken Peter, James, and John with Him to a mountaintop, where they experienced the amazing transfiguration of Christ. The rest of the disciples were at the bottom, waiting for them to return. During this time, evidently, a father brought his son to the disciples, hoping they would be able to heal him of his epileptic fits. They were not. When Jesus and the three others returned from the mountain, the father fell on his knees before Christ and said: "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him” (Matt. 17:14-16). Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me" (v. 17).
This father desperately wanted healing for his child. He wanted more than anything to not have to worry over his son's health every minute of every day. The situation, I am sure, seemed impossible to him, UNTIL he heard about Jesus. Christ was his last ray of hope. So, he grabbed his son and off they went to find this Man who others had said had the power of healing. Imagine the disappointment he must have felt when he found the disciples, but not Jesus. They, of course, tried to heal the boy, but could not. I wonder if the demon began to torment the child, right before their eyes, so that the disciples became fearful and lost faith in the power of Christ. Whatever the case, they could not heal him.
So, when Jesus returned, the father was desperate. His situation looked hopeless. All he could see was more torment for him and his child and the rest of the family. It seemed impossible to fix this mess...and it SHOULD have been. But then, Jesus said, "Bring him to Me."
"Bring him to Me."
At the time I read this, I didn't need Jesus to heal my son. I didn't need Jesus to drive out a demon in my life. But what I did need was for Jesus to do something I thought might be impossible - that I thought was hopeless. I needed Him to heal a relationship. I needed light and hope in the midst of a seemingly dark situation...and He said, "Bring him to Me."
It struck me as so simple, and yet so powerful, that I did. I gave that relationship over to the One who could fix it. And ever since that day, when I feel fearful and stressed out about other relationships in my life - whether it be with my friends, my family, my children - I once again, hear the Spirit speak, "Bring him to Me."
For you, it might not be a "him." Sometimes, it's a "her." It might not be your relationship with your child. Then again, it might. Whatever the gender or whatever the case, Jesus wants to speak healing into that relationship. He wants to do the impossible, just when it seems all hope is lost.
So this Christmas, if you find yourself in "dread mode," or simply bearing with "him" or with "her," remember to take the active role and bring that person to Christ in prayer. Bring that relationship to Him and ask Him to heal it and transform it into something that will glorify Him. Ask Him to change your heart FIRST and purify your motives. Ask Him to heal the brokenness. And then watch, as the Author of love and power, Himself, does amazing things - impossible things - in you...and in "him" or "her."
That's just the way it SHOULD be. : )
Dearest Jesus...change us this Christmas. Change us today. Help us lift our difficult relationships to You in trust and belief that You alone can change them. We've tried, Lord, and it doesn't work for us. But You, oh You, can do miraculous and marvelous things for us, if we but give ourselves and our relationships to You. We can't wait to see what You do this Christmas! Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The "Expecting" Life
Every year about this time, I start thinking about Christmas. Imagine that! Well, actually, it's not just "Christmas" I think about - the presents, the lights, the reindeer antlers that attach to your car windows! No, believe it or not, it's the meaning behind Christmas I try to focus on. I really try hard not to "miss" the real reason for the color green or the use of trees or decorative ornaments. Of course, it's always helpful that my husband preaches about Advent and the happenings before the birth of Christ during the month of December. It does keep my mind on track...thanks Steve!
This past Sunday, Steve was talking about the four hundred year period between the Old Testament and the New Testament. During this "Intertestamental Period," God had not spoken to the people of Israel. He had been silent...at least as far as they could tell. Four hundred years passed. Stop for a minute and try to grasp the magnitude of that...400 years...passed and the people had heard nothing from their God. I wonder if some fell away from the faith. I wonder if some decided that God had given up on them. I wonder if some of them never expected to see God work again.
Then, surprise - surprise, God spoke through the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah, telling him that his child would be the forerunner of the Messiah. That story, in and of itself, is an amazing one to study. It's full of unexpected drama and intrigue. You need to check it out - Luke 1:5-25. But for now, I want to focus on another announcement, maybe not quite so unexpected.
Go a little further in the book of Luke. Verse 26 begins the narration of another announcement: Gabriel's appearance to Mary - a young girl of humble means - telling her she would become the Mother of the Messiah.
Can you imagine the scene? I'm sure it would have been fascinating to be a fly on the wall. Scripture does give us insight into how it happened, as well as Mary's response. If it had been me in Mary's shoes, I would have freaked out, but she didn't. How is that possible? I thought long and hard about this on Sunday night during the middle of church, while Steve was preaching on this section of Luke. Yes, I'm afraid I have to confess - my mind was wandering!
I just couldn't help thinking about the fact that when Gabriel appeared to Mary, Scripture doesn't say she went running and screaming through the house, trying to get away from the glowing figure. If I had been Mary, I would have found a hole in the wall to run through or made one myself! Instead, Scripture says that Mary, "was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was" (Luke 1:29). The New Living Translations says that Mary was "Confused and disturbed," trying to "think what the angel could mean." Scripture doesn't speak of her astonishment at the angel's appearance at all...only of her confusion over the the angel's message.
What would make a 12-13 year old girl NOT petrified to the point of death over seeing and angel, sent from God with a message for her? Could it be that she wasn't surprised to hear from the Lord? Could it be that she had heard through the grapevine that God had spoken to Zechariah, her relative's husband, after these 400 years? Could it be that she was so well-versed in the Words of God - in the Prophets of old - that when she heard God had appeared, she expected Him to do it again? Could it be that hearing from Him again was on the forefront of her mind, causing an anxious anticipation, instead of a wasting away of the soul?
Could it be?
Regardless, a lesson jumped out at me. I started thinking to myself...how would my life change if I EXPECTED God to do something...if I EXPECTED Him to show up in my every-day, run-of-the-mill life. Would my life change? Would things be different in my relationship with Him...with my family...with my friends, enemies, acquaintances?
You bet'cha.
If I really expected God to work...to speak...to do something in my life, I would drag myself out of bed early in the morning to pour out my heart to Him and search His Word for answers. I would beg for His advice, ask for His wisdom for my daily decisions. I would petition Him on behalf of my family...call out in passionate intercession for those who are lost. I would spend my day "looking" behind every corner...anxiously awaiting to see Him. I would be consumed with thoughts of Him...and not of myself. I would EXPECT Him to show up and come through for me and then not be surprised, but joyful, when He did...
...If I EXPECTED Him to do something.
How much we must miss, because we think we're too busy, too tired, too this or that to spend time with Him throughout our day, when how exciting and surprising our lives would be if we would only anxiously await His "workings." Fear would no longer rule our relationship with Him, and our lives and the lives of those around us would be focused and fueled by His sweet surprises lavished on us throughout the day.
Dearest Jesus, help me to EXPECT You to work in me and through me and for me. Remind me today, that You want to speak with me...You want to be a part of my everyday, run-of-the-mill life, so that there will be nothing run-of-the-mill about it! I love You, Father. Thank You for wanting to speak to me and work within me and for me. I EXPECT to hear from You and see Your precious promises this very day. Praise You, Jesus. I praise You.
, and all of the sudden, I've got a glowing white
This past Sunday, Steve was talking about the four hundred year period between the Old Testament and the New Testament. During this "Intertestamental Period," God had not spoken to the people of Israel. He had been silent...at least as far as they could tell. Four hundred years passed. Stop for a minute and try to grasp the magnitude of that...400 years...passed and the people had heard nothing from their God. I wonder if some fell away from the faith. I wonder if some decided that God had given up on them. I wonder if some of them never expected to see God work again.
Then, surprise - surprise, God spoke through the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah, telling him that his child would be the forerunner of the Messiah. That story, in and of itself, is an amazing one to study. It's full of unexpected drama and intrigue. You need to check it out - Luke 1:5-25. But for now, I want to focus on another announcement, maybe not quite so unexpected.
Go a little further in the book of Luke. Verse 26 begins the narration of another announcement: Gabriel's appearance to Mary - a young girl of humble means - telling her she would become the Mother of the Messiah.
Can you imagine the scene? I'm sure it would have been fascinating to be a fly on the wall. Scripture does give us insight into how it happened, as well as Mary's response. If it had been me in Mary's shoes, I would have freaked out, but she didn't. How is that possible? I thought long and hard about this on Sunday night during the middle of church, while Steve was preaching on this section of Luke. Yes, I'm afraid I have to confess - my mind was wandering!
I just couldn't help thinking about the fact that when Gabriel appeared to Mary, Scripture doesn't say she went running and screaming through the house, trying to get away from the glowing figure. If I had been Mary, I would have found a hole in the wall to run through or made one myself! Instead, Scripture says that Mary, "was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was" (Luke 1:29). The New Living Translations says that Mary was "Confused and disturbed," trying to "think what the angel could mean." Scripture doesn't speak of her astonishment at the angel's appearance at all...only of her confusion over the the angel's message.
What would make a 12-13 year old girl NOT petrified to the point of death over seeing and angel, sent from God with a message for her? Could it be that she wasn't surprised to hear from the Lord? Could it be that she had heard through the grapevine that God had spoken to Zechariah, her relative's husband, after these 400 years? Could it be that she was so well-versed in the Words of God - in the Prophets of old - that when she heard God had appeared, she expected Him to do it again? Could it be that hearing from Him again was on the forefront of her mind, causing an anxious anticipation, instead of a wasting away of the soul?
Could it be?
Regardless, a lesson jumped out at me. I started thinking to myself...how would my life change if I EXPECTED God to do something...if I EXPECTED Him to show up in my every-day, run-of-the-mill life. Would my life change? Would things be different in my relationship with Him...with my family...with my friends, enemies, acquaintances?
You bet'cha.
If I really expected God to work...to speak...to do something in my life, I would drag myself out of bed early in the morning to pour out my heart to Him and search His Word for answers. I would beg for His advice, ask for His wisdom for my daily decisions. I would petition Him on behalf of my family...call out in passionate intercession for those who are lost. I would spend my day "looking" behind every corner...anxiously awaiting to see Him. I would be consumed with thoughts of Him...and not of myself. I would EXPECT Him to show up and come through for me and then not be surprised, but joyful, when He did...
...If I EXPECTED Him to do something.
How much we must miss, because we think we're too busy, too tired, too this or that to spend time with Him throughout our day, when how exciting and surprising our lives would be if we would only anxiously await His "workings." Fear would no longer rule our relationship with Him, and our lives and the lives of those around us would be focused and fueled by His sweet surprises lavished on us throughout the day.
Dearest Jesus, help me to EXPECT You to work in me and through me and for me. Remind me today, that You want to speak with me...You want to be a part of my everyday, run-of-the-mill life, so that there will be nothing run-of-the-mill about it! I love You, Father. Thank You for wanting to speak to me and work within me and for me. I EXPECT to hear from You and see Your precious promises this very day. Praise You, Jesus. I praise You.
, and all of the sudden, I've got a glowing white
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)