Life and Light

This is just one of the reasons I love the Gospel of John: It overflows with answers to the question Who is God?

So far, we’ve seen He is the Word, and He is the Creator. In verse John 1:4, the text goes on to say He is Life and Light.

The Scriptures make it clear that Jesus Christ is God incarnate. They also make it clear He didn’t simply create life and send it on its way. He sustains life. He Himself is Life. (It give a whole new meaning to the phrase “get a life.”)

I used to think my mom was a little excessive in her view of God…at least in our need to recognize our dependence on Him. I remember her saying, “I can’t even draw a breath without Him.” Wow! What an awareness of His nearness and her dependency. Would that I would be that insightful and attentive to the day-to-day evidences of His presence and sustaining power.

Every breath I take ought to make me aware of the One who is Life. Every ability I have should do the same. I can see. I can hear. I can speak. I can taste. I can smell. It’s all because of Him.

I can read. I can write. I can think. I can love. I can receive love. Again, all from Him.

Thank You isn’t enough, but it’s all I can give, that and a life given over to the Source and Sustainer of that life.

And Light…

The verse says, “…that life is the light of man.”

Light dispels darkness. Light shows the way. Light reveals what is hidden. Light scares away the monsters. Light makes it easier to keep moving forward.

May I walk in the Life and Light every day. It is my prayer that you will do the same.

Learning to Stand

In Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus discusses the future. The end of the world isn’t a myth, nothing but excellent fodder for the music and movie industries. It will actually happen. And before then, things will get much worse for believers.

Christians in the West have it easy. Do our co-workers mock us? Do “the educated” call us “old-fashioned, superstitious, stupid”? Do our family members and friends get their noses out of joint because we love God more than we love them?

Well, if that’s the worst that happens…

Consider our brothers and sisters around the globe. They lose their jobs. They lose their friends. They lose their families. They lose their freedom. They may even lose their lives.

And do they deny their faith? Many of them never do. I can’t imagine. In fact, I don’t want to imagine.

But today, I must take a stand for my faith even if the people I rub shoulders with don’t like it. I don’t need to be rude, hurtful or obnoxious. But I better learn to stand before infinitely more difficult situations try to knock me down.

Today verses 9-14 encouraged and challenged me.

How about you? How has God encouraged you lately and challenged you to stand for the Truth?

The Second Son (Daughter)

As I continued to read through the book of Matthew, there were a number of stories I could have used. However, this one rings far too loudly in my ears, and I felt I should share it.

Verses 28 to 32 of chapter 21 tell the story of two sons. The first openly refused to do what his father requested, but later changed his mind. The second, the one to whom I relate, said he would obey, but did not.

I’ve made too many false starts in my lifetime. I’ve made countless promises…I’ll start my day by reading the Word and praying. I will pray in the car instead of listening to music or letting my mind wonder. I will do devotions with my hubby and my children. I will seek to share my faith regularly. I will graciously serve, even in those areas that are difficult. I will walk away from my selfish desires.

Yeah, right.

So, though I fail time and time and time again, I am thankful that those who did the Father’s will weren’t those who never blew it. They were those who knew what it was like to make very poor choices, to sin in ways they couldn’t possibly cover up. Yet, they were those who, in the end, did what the Father requested.

May I do the same.

Served and Ransomed

The idea of being someone’s servant, someone’s slave, doesn’t go over well these days. Actually, it has never gone over well, but we have the ultimate example. In Matthew 20:28, it says, “…even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus could have demanded servitude. He could have demanded sacrifice. He could have demanded absolute compliance. But what did He do? He served, not only in His death on the cross, but while He walked the earth. (Remember when He washed His disciples feet?) And of course, He made the supreme sacrifice. (See Philippians 2:6-8.) And compliance? Well, there were many times He didn’t comply to the wishes of the people. However, He never failed to subject Himself to His Father’s wishes.

Jesus could demand these things of us, but He doesn’t. As we grow in His image, we will more obviously reflect who He was, who He always will be. We will serve the Lord and others out of hearts overflowing with love. We will sacrifice our own desires and aspirations in order to fulfill His plans for us. And compliance? Well, that will become more and more evident as well.

I am thankful that Jesus paid the price to ransom me. I pray I will be willing to “count the cost” of following Him–and walk in obedience and godly servitude.

Recipient of Generosity

In Matthew 20, I again come to a very familiar passage. Let me recap…The master of the house went to their equivalent of a temp agency looking for able-bodied men to work in his vineyard. He found some, and they agreed to his terms of payment. As the day went on, the master found he needed more workers. When they lined up after work, those hired last were given the pay originally offered to the crew hired in the morning. Fantastic, those who’d worked all day thought, we’re gonna get more than promised. Woo hoo! Well, they were in for a surprise. They were given the same pay.

And what did they do? To be honest, probably the same thing I would have done. They lodged a complaint. (If there’d been a labour union or an HR department, they’d have gotten an earful.) And the master’s response? “Do you begrudge my generosity?”

While I say I know I don’t earn God’s blessing, do I ever resent the blessing He chooses to pour out on others who don’t seem so busy doing “God’s work”? There are time…

Then again…What about the countless numbers of believers who are risking it all to make the gospel known? Health. Financial security. Family. Even their lives. When I honestly evaluate my life, I realize there is so much more I could be doing. Without a doubt, that means I should be exceedingly thankful that I serve a generous master.

Tied to Family

When explaining the lessons to be learned from “the rich, young ruler,” Jesus told His disciples how important it was to sacrifice to follow Him. Am I willing?

Sure, I want to be…while at the same time hoping God would never call me to give up “brothers or sisters…or children” for His sake. “The houses…or lands”? That’s OK, but my family members? That’s a toughie. Like any family, we had our ups and downs, but even so, the importance of family has been instilled in me from the time I was a girl.

Recently, the possibility of a move has arisen: a move that would take us far from extended family and one of our sons. If the doors open before us and my husband feels this is the right move for him career wise, we would be uprooting and moving out-of-province. It would be the first time in his life he would be making a living pursuing his first love: music. Music is how he best expresses his love for the Lord. In this position, he could develop his own skills while challenging others to do the same. I want this very much for him.

My mom passed away in April this year. Because of her declining health and her home going, I have spent a lot more time with family than usual. Yesterday, as I snuggled with my ten-month-old great niece, I almost got teary. If we move away, there are a lot of things I will miss. But in the end, what is most important?

Shall I dig in my heels and insist we stay put?

Shall I put my husband’s lifelong dreams ahead of my love for family?

Or…

Shall I say, “Whatever You desire, Lord…”

Deep breath…I choose Option 3. I really do.

Lacking

Today it’s back to the book of Matthew. Chapter 19, verses 18-22 recount the story of a young man who came to Jesus. He wanted to know what he could do to secure eternal life.

Jesus listed several of the commandments. The man felt he had kept them. He wanted to know what he lacked (verse 20).

Jesus went on to say, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

These few brief verses contain so much wisdom. I have neither the space nor the insight to present an exhaustive teaching on this passage. However, there are several things I can learn from it.

No matter what I do, I must acknowledge that it is not sufficient. The man knew he was missing something.

However, when Jesus told him what it was, he was not willing to do what needed to be done. It’s a sad scenario, tragic even. But how closely do I resemble this rich young man? Do my things get in the way of my obedience. Do I choose to acquire more with funds I should be investing in His kingdom? Do I lack anything?

I must admit the answer is yes. I don’t want it to be so. I want to be willing to obey–no matter what. It’s only by His grace and His working in my heart and life that I will come to place where I will not turn and walk away from Him.

I, in no way, think I can earn salvation. But I do believe, I must be willing to give up everything for my Saviour. I must be willing to leave it all behind and follow wherever He may lead.

Dear Lord, may I be willing to obey Your instruction, come to You, and follow wherever You lead. May I surrender all I have and all I am to You. For I know You are the Way to salvation, the Only Way. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

(Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)

A Listener

Have you ever been reading the Word and come across a verse only to ask God, “When did You put that in there?” That’s what happened to me today.

Prompted by the Radical Experiment, I have committed to following a Bible reading plan this year. (Kudos to those of you who do this annually.) Currently, I am reading through Job.

When I came to 26:14, it gave me pause. In the English Standard Version, it reads, “…how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Wow!

God is so gracious! He makes Himself known in the whispers, but we must never forget “the thunder of his power.”

These are some of the things He has whispered to me lately…

While we seek to celebrate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, pure, unrestricted celebration will only occur when He welcomes us into His presence. My mom went to be with her Saviour on Monday, April 25. How I rejoice for her!

It makes no sense to say “I’m sorry about your mom/dad/whomever” when we know where they are. It is truly a  time for joy, though we will miss our loved one.

God’s timing is always perfect. Doors seem to be opening for my husband to fulfill a lifelong dream: full-time ministry. Many things have indicated that this is the time.

The Lord uses our circumstances to accomplish His purposes in our lives. But He also uses them to bless others. My mom’s homegoing has provided inspiration for several of my blogs. I truly hope and pray that the lessons I am learning will be a comfort and encouragement to others.

There are always new lessons to learn–even on familiar ground. These verses from Job 26 jumped off the page. Plus, I look forward to again going over Job 28. It is rich with meaning.

May I always listen for His whisper and always marvel at the thunder of His power.

(Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)