Day 357 Before You

 

12/23/2025

 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you...."

John 15:16

 

When I'm sitting here at my computer, generally later in the evening, closer to being the next morning, I write about my day, and I look through images to post that seem appropriate, to me at least, to represent what I'm thinking. Now I don't know if a word of that statement made any sense to the casual reader, but it is significant in that I want the others to think deeply about what I post - every word that's written, and how I may be feeling as I'm bearing my soul. Words matter, and I don't like wasting my breath, or my thoughts, and it requires much emotional strength to share as I do. Again, it may not make sense, but such as it is, I've said it.

I'm listening to music, as I generally do, as I'm writing. Tonight I'm enjoying Jewish Hanukkah tunes, with almost a gypsy-like quality as the instruments are played. It reminds me of a Johnny Depp movie about a woman who made chocolate - Chocolat - in which he played a gypsy. The music's relaxing, calm, but not quite what I would have expected for the Festival of Lights. Still, it is somewhat contemplative, nostalgic.

Christmas will be here in two more days, well not even that long, as we are almost entering the start of the new day. Tomorrow I'll be baking pies, if all goes well. This morning I woke up not feeling quite myself. I can't seem to get it through my head that I'm older now, and my body doesn't move as easily as it once did. I have always been wiry, and although I still am to a large degree, but when I stretch, it does not always bring the same relief it once did. One wrong zig or zag can easily pull my aging parts the wrong way. Alas, I am meant to learn the hard way, I imagine. Some things never quite change. My mama used to say that "hard heads made soft butts," and she made sure that I got her meaning! It wasn't that I was a bad child or a particularly mischievous one, but I was curious, and I asked too many questions. Remember the old adage - "Children are seen and not heard?" I guess I never quite got it, until I got it! 

Today Pastor Jack began our day with a look at John 15:16 in which Jesus is speaking to His disciples saying: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." Jesus wanted His followers, which include those of us non-Jews who believe and follow Him, that He specifically hand-picked for the work they had been assigned to do, to understand that they were set apart for His special work. The proof that they, and we, belong to Him is in the fruit we bear and show and share with the world. He tells us in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 that we are to be lights to the world, and we are not to conceal the light, but rather we are to shine brightly for all the world to see - a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. In Tolkien's Lord of the Rings classic, when one settlement in Middle Earth needed help from enemy attack, they would light a fire that would shine across the country, each settlement responding. They would each alert the other, then gathering their troops would answer the call of their neighboring settlements who needed them. So we are to be those lights blazing a message of hope across the earth, each city responding in kind to reach a lost world. Jesus IS th e Light of the World. Sadly, He was not received as Messiah by the people, but they could never extinguish His Light. We are to be the light bearers carrying His message to the world. Across the world, many who have chosen to follow Christ, leaving behind doctrines of men and devils, are now forfeiting their lives and their families' lives. Jesus warned us of this happening, and He called it the beginning of woes (Matthew 24:8).

In the fifteenth chapter of the book of John, Jesus as the True Vine speaks of the relationship He desires to have with His followers, as He has with His Father who sent Him. In verses 7-8 of chapter 15 Jesus says: "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you will be My disciples." I can well imagine that this conversation, like the others, probably went right over the apostles' heads, as Jesus sharing becomes more intense. He follows with how the world would hate them and persecute them, as they do Him. Not easy words to hear. And soon they would understand completely what He meant by these words about the huge cost of discipleship, following Him, sharing the message of the Kingdom of God.

Today I was listening to Russell Brand speaking at the AmFest 2025 for Turning Point USA. He was sharing his testimony, preaching the gospel message with every word in his expressive manner of speech. Before he started to speak, he got down on his knees on the stage and prayed, asking God to guard his speech. He always prays before he speaks before an audience. When he finished praying, he stood and began his speech with praise to God for turning his life around. I love his enthusiasm, and although he still has a few rough edges, without filters, without apology, he exalts God, speaks the truth as it is written in the word of God, exhorting others to cease from foolish disagreements and live in harmony. It is rather refreshing to see and hear him, and I hope his message rang true and clear and that it provoked change in hearts where change is needed. I wonder if Charlie Kirk was looking down from Heaven with Jesus at his side?! Somehow I doubt it, or else he may not be at rest and peace watching some of the actions of others who also spoke at the event. Life can be so predictable. The point is Jesus looks for fruit in everything we do as proof that we are living for Him and for our love towards one another. Not feigned, but true. Forgiving each other, as men will fail. The good fruit comes when we admit wrongs and pull ourselves up again, repenting, asking forgiveness, and moving forward for Christ.

Russell was sharing about his Hollywood lifestyle before Jesus, comparing it to after He met Jesus and how his life had turned completely around. The point where he was sold out for Jesus, and he knew that before He met Jesus, his life had not meaning. Now it does! His purpose has been revealed. That is the life Jesus wants when He says to bear fruit. It's the power of the transformed life.

My desire is the same, to make everyone know how wonderful Jesus is. I don't have a "following," and my only platform is Facebook, writing my blogs, and declaring His name to all I meet along the way. Honestly, I don't even know who reads my posts, and I promised myself that it wouldn't matter, except that I trust God with the increase. Like Russell, my life was void of true life when I was younger, although I sincerely tried to separate myself from wrong influences. I went to church, loved to sing, loved revivals, but it wasn't until much later that I began to truly see and understand all Christ had done for me personally. And it was only after my life was a wreck that I fully blossomed. Now, in retrospect, I can say that before Him, my life was empty. Now with Him, my life is full. I may be alone, with limited friends here, no real connection to church locally - yet, but I will continue to share the good news with all. Alone we can do nothing. With Him, all things are possible.