5/9/2025
Just before the sun rises, and it is still pitch dark outside, there is one light seen shining in the sky that stands out among the stars that are fading graciously from sight. It announces the coming of the sun. In Revelation 22:16 a declaration is spoken: "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." What a wonderful way to look upon each sunrise as the beginning of a journey, a pilgrimage, a new start of the day, or a new beginning.
Yesterday I was sharing from Abide in the Secret Place by Andrew Murray. He was speaking of an awakening heart to the wonder of a life hidden in Christ. He shares, "Oh, Christian, have you learned this lesson in your worship of God, yielding yourself each morning, yielding your whole heart to do God's will? Pray each prayer with a perfect heart in true wholehearted devotion to Him. Then expect, by faith, the power of God to work in you and through you."
In my Bible study group on Thursday, we are studying 1 John, and daily on the Harvest discipleship we are asked questions from the messages of Pastors Greg and Jonathan on which our study is devoted. This morning we were asked the following question: "1 John 2, John provides a spiritual checkup focusing on the vertical (obedience to God), horizontal (love for others), and internal (heart). What does it look like to walk with Jesus?" That's a great question to start the day. It seems as if every time I open my Bible or click on my study aids or listen to a sermon, the same message is being offered on the very same day. Coincidence? I think not! This is the way He works in my life. I ponder a question, and He responds. I really didn't have to think about the above very long, because this is all I think about or pray about. It's not a boring life at all. It's the life I have chosen for all He's done for me.
Here's how I answered:
"Walking with Jesus is abiding with Him daily, in peace and without fear, no matter what happens in the natural - calls I receive, or strange mail or emails that come my way. It's having so much compassion for loving others, and it's looking for ways to make a different in the lives of others, even strangers. It's asking forgiveness, even when I'm not the reason behind it all. It's so many things I experience in a day, but with Him with me, I can do it best. When I mess up and get it wrong, He picks me up, and we do it again. He's my life, the life I choose, and the reason I live and breathe and have my being."
It may sound thoroughly absurd to some, simplistic to others, or it may mean nothing to another. But this is my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, I have wasted so much time, it seems, thinking I need another person to share this life with, when all I needed was Jesus. I do believe in marriage, and it is a covenant before God. The only relationship between male and female God honors. That's what makes it special, so when it is disrespected or violated, it destroys people's lives. Divorce is a form of death, and it grieves a soul, but forgiveness makes it right, so we can go on. But we should never allow another to take the place of God as our first love. We do not need the validation of another to feel worthy of love. We have it, we have the love of a Father, the One who created us, who wants to walk with us in the gardens of our lives. Adam and Eve messed it up, but then God had another way to redeem us. He sent Jesus, and Jesus sent Holy Spirit.
I am not a theological giant, and my collegiate credentials are few, although God blessed me with experience and a ride that is hard to follow. He showed me that I was wanted, loved, needed, and He gave me stuff to do what He needed me to do. He deserves the glory. Jesus alone. I'm on a pilgrimage of love, and I share from a heart once broken now mended, now restored. There will always be suffering until the day we close our eyes and open them to see His beautiful face, smiling and welcoming us home. That is worth the journey, so if you don't know Him, friend, make it right today. He's waiting.
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