Between

Yesterday, I packed up the Christmas decorations and took down the tree. While at it, I dusted and polished, wiped and washed, swept and vacuumed the dust that had accumulated over the busyness of the last few weeks. It wasn’t all that bad really; a lot less painful than I thought. Making the time to get the job done was half the battle and with the help of my men, the task went along pretty smooth. All in all, a productive day and one I can look at and smile.

Today as I began my day, I quickly flitted through the house tidying up those few things out of place. It felt good to know the major task was done and just the surface had to be spiffed up a bit. I put my son on the bus, showered, grabbed my coffee and headed to my “comfy chair” (i.e. snuggle chair when granddaughter, Breezie is here). Heading straight to my office, my study, my sanctuary, call it what you like but it is my meeting place with God. I get plenty of quiet there, a place that sooths my soul, allows me to think, and has a sufficient supply of tissue.

Ah, a new year, a fresh start, but resolutions are not for me. Too many are broken, too many are only surface deep. Too many are just dreams that come to an abrupt end when I awake to the reality of life. This year I just decided that I am going to let God make all my decisions. Well, it’s not that simple really but it’s a start and it sounds good, doesn’t it?

As I prayed, read, and studied this morning, God told me it was time to clean house. I just had…or so I thought. Only this time I was the house, the vessel in which was to be deep cleaned. At that moment I wasn’t so sure having God make decisions for me was going to be such a good idea. But I also know he’s never steered me wrong. How long will this deep clean take? Hopefully, just a few hours, like putting away the decorations and dusting up the dirt. Somehow, I doubt that; six months, a year, maybe a lifetime. All I know is that God and I are going to be looking into every nook and cranny of my soul. Every thought and action will be analyzed. I will be called accountable for every hint of anger, jealousy, greed, or haughty attitude. That is a scary confession to make to you.

As God works on me, opening spaces that have remained closed for years, I will share with you the process of how the God of the universe is also the God of grace. He knows the plans he has for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and I stand firm in the promises he has made. I also know this, as I keep it on a 3×5 tucked in my Bible which I look at often, the words of the Apostle Paul:

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:10-14)

So, Lord, I’m ready. It may not be pleasant but the outcome will be worth it. Scrub away. Oh, and don’t forget to get behind the ears.

If one looks around at the world today I’m not sure if one would see hope.  Within the pages of our newspapers, reports from major networks and conversations overheard around town, we seem to be a country of doom and gloom.  Pessimism is our middle name.  But we have come upon the “Holiday” season.  It’s a time when we put up lights and decorate to the max.  It’s a time when we cordially wave more often to our neighbors before we pull into our garages and close the door.  We run from this “Holiday” party to that, seeing everyone we haven’t seen since the previous year, wearing ourselves down until every ounce of energy is gone.  It’s a time when credit cards are used as often as toilet paper.  Our cries over the last year have been how hard it is to live in this economy but we are out spending on “Holiday” gifts for everyone under the sun.  But when the music fades and the season ends, there is still a hopelessness that lingers.

This week marks the beginning of Advent, a season of the Christian Church immediately preceding Christmas…the birth of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, Lord of lords, King of kings.  His birth was foretold through prophets of long ago, Isaiah (7:14), Micah (5:2). 

God sent His angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth to bring Mary a message.  “…you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…his kingdom will never end…So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:26-35).  That my friends is HOPE.

Advent is a Season of Hope.  Hope in a child, born of a virgin for the sole purpose of saving people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  That makes all the hustle and bustle of the “Holiday” bring me to the reality of Christmas.  A time when we slow down, reflect on the blessings in our lives; the people, the provision, the opportunities.  It’s a time to give more from the heart rather than the pocketbook.  What gift will you give?  Rather, what gift will you give Christ?  All He really wants is you.

For whatever reason, my mind has been wandering the last few days.  I have this deep desire to absorb everything around me, yet I can’t concentrate on any ONE thing.  Have you ever been there?  I’ve tried blaming it on the heat of summer, the fact that I’m not taking classes right now and going through withdrawal.  I’ve tried to say it’s a hormonal issue but that’s NOT working out like I thought.  Whatever the reason, my brain is like a boomerang but with each rotation, I am picking up a new bit of wisdom.

In all my distraction, God continues to bring to mind new pieces of the puzzle we call life.  I just LOVE it when He does that!  Like this morning when I picked up my copy of Wesleyan Life magazine.  I read an article on human trafficking which made such an impact on me.  In her article, Jo Anne Lyon writes, “When I heard an official at the US Department of State compare human trafficking to drug trafficking, I shuddered….(he said) “You see the profits of human trafficking will soon surpass drug trafficking because you can sell an ounce of cocaine only once, but you can sell a human being over and over.””  What a profound statement.  It echoes in my heart and mind…over and over.  Now, Lord, show me how to serve you.

A few weeks earlier, the State of New York, had legalized same-sex marriage.  I spoke on Facebook how it saddened me this law was passed.  I was praised and ridiculed, which I am very much okay with.  I believe a great deal of my sadness came from the passive voice of Bible-believing Christians; grieved, because I include myself.  Yes, I wrote to my representatives, but only a few weeks before that vote.  Where have I been the last 15 years?

 Proverbs 2 speaks of the moral benefits of wisdom.  If we turn our ears to wisdom AND apply it to our hearts…OOPS, I think maybe that part got left out in the translation somewhere.  We listen but do we apply.  We KNOW right from wrong, we DO right for ourselves but do we teach, share and expect what is right from the rest of the world?  You ask, “How can we?”  I believe we can by speaking up, speaking out, and speaking to others about the Truth of Jesus Christ.

 Jo Anne Lyon concluded her article beautifully, “The powerful words of the prophet Amos sum it up:  “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24)  Eternal healing and justice must be through the power of God and His people!”

 As I write, I thank God for bringing my boomerang brain back into focus on the more important issues of life.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

These words, spoken by Martin Luther King, have been familiar throughout America for over 40 years.  They are some of the most powerful words portraying the stand and the emotions of a human being. Webster defines freedom as the condition of being free of restraints…liberation from slavery or from the power of another.

So often we find that we are held in bondage.  For some it is an attitude of the heart; for some, an old habit that will not die; for others it is that they have yet to find the Truth of Jesus Christ.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Freedom from the power of sin; freedom from the influences that surround us, freedom from the evil one who wants nothing better than to silence us.  Scripture tells us that we are free in Christ (John 8:31-32). 

And if Christ has set us free, are our words and actions ringing loudly?  Are we boasting in the One who empowers us through the Holy Spirit? (Acts 1:8)  Are we portraying our freedom through righteousness (Romans 6:18)?

Freedom to live in the Spirit; Freedom to speak boldly of your faith; Freedom to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus; Freedom to overcome evil; Freedom to resist the world; Freedom to proclaim the promises of God; Freedom to stand firm under the pressures of the world; Freedom to shout from the rooftops “Jesus Is Lord”.  Freedom that comes only when you relinquish your desires to God; when you fall to your knees at the cross; when you say “not my will but Yours.”  This is a freedom that can only be found in Christ (John 8:36). 

Oh, what freedom!  What a glorious day it will be when all those in Christ will  Let Freedom Ring!

I am thankful that each morning is new.  Each day provided to bring a fresh start so we can begin with a healthy outlook…if we choose.  Life is not always going to be easy.  We have not been promised each day will bring roses and sunshine.

As I reflect on life over the past few months, I see the hand of God.  His hand has been holding a conductor’s baton, leading the orchestra with clashing cymbals and the mighty roar of the bass drum that continually resound within my mind—His message, not quite clear but evident that He is speaking.

Even in the midst of uncertainties, His promises are this:

1.  He Will Never Leave You – After Moses had been in God’s presence he brought God’s message to the people.  He then brought God’s commissioning to Joshua sending him out with instructions to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid or discouraged.  God’s promises still hold true today.  “The Lord goes before you…he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Stand on this promise daily, no matter what the circumstances are.  Good, bad, or ugly, God is with you!

2.  He Came That They May Have Life – We all, at one point, have been thieves and robbers.  Only those who have entered through the gate (accepting Jesus as Savior) can rest in Him.  However, there are still those who want nothing more than to rob you of your peace.  Jesus has come that, “they (who have entered through the gate) may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10)

Living life to the full means being able to rest in the peace of God and knowing He has everything under control!

3.  God Refreshes His Inheritance – As believers, we are heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).  In this, we not only share in the inheritance of the glory of heaven but His kingdom here on earth.  Therefore, God continually refreshes us as we, in humanly form, become weary and weak.  “You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance” (Psalm 68:9).

Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you daily as you read God’s Word to refresh your mind and body.  For this is His will for your life!

I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Ephesians (1:15-23), a prayer that is relevant today:

Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.  Amen.