This 4th week of Advent we consider JOY. It is always one of my favorite themes on which to focus. Every year, I am reminded of the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is rooted in circumstances, and circumstances are constantly changing. I love to be happy, but happiness is not always my companion; sometimes I am decidedly unhappy. But JOY, the joy of the Lord, bubbles up from within us, not due to circumstances, but through the understanding that God is with us, fulfilling His promises. Joy is the knowing that while things may not always seem okay, our God has and will continue to bring us through.
When the angels appeared to the shepherds that night, they did not say “we are about to make you happy, instead they proclaimed “ …behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord.” The world could let out a collective breath that they may not have even known was being held. The Advent of Jesus Christ would mean reconciliation with God, atonement for our sin, grace, and peace in our hearts. This is truly joyous news! Daily, I find myself forgetful of this great gift. I struggle in my flesh, seek happiness only, angrily shake my fist at the world, or wring my hands in despair…But our God said, “I got this” long before we faced our difficult days. He is worthy of so much joy-filled praise for His great love for us. Last Sunday, I saw this in action.
His name is Jose’. I only know this because of a brief “turn and say hello to your neighbor” aspect in the church’s order of service. He was kind and earnest, his warm smile pushed up his greying mustache, the ends of which nearly met the laugh-lined outer creases of his bright eyes. The service began. On the first musical note of the holiday hymn Jose’ sprang to life. His face turned upward, his arms flowing along with the tune, his gestures punctuating each word of the song. It was as if he were directing the music. That morning, as hymns, praise songs, and scriptures were sung, Jose’ seemed unaware of anyone around him. It was as if he could not help himself…buoyantly reaching up and out as if trying to touch the literal hem of the garment of God. At one point, I wondered if I was going to need to reach out to grasp his shoes if he levitated off the ground. He was filled with Joy and it flowed forth in the most beautiful and quiet way. The image of Jose’ has stayed with me this week…Oh to be reaching out, looking up and overflowing with the understanding of this great JOY… the Joy He gives us through the redemption we find in Christ Jesus.
In the quiet of the morning, as I sat with my coffee by our Christmas tree, I couldn’t help but think of Jose’….in my prayers, in my life, may I always be reaching out, looking up and seeking God, with a longing to worship God from an overflow of JOY.
Friends,
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Yesterday, as I watched the sun setting, on the most holy of days for Christians, I could not help but think of how the day started…a sunrise service at a local fishing dock. The sky was beginning to glow. The sun’s appearance was imminent. As scriptures were read, messages shared and voices collectively sang hymns, I turned toward the boat ramp. A man in a pickup truck eased his trailered workboat down the ramp to begin his day. Respectful of the gathered crowd, and perhaps the Easter service as well, he motored slowly out into the marsh-lined waterway to begin his work. I turned my attention back to the service but could not stop thinking about that fisherman and a certain other fisherman, Peter, a follower of Jesus. Just after the resurrectionn of Christ, and even after witnessing the risen Savior themselves(twice!), many disciples did not know what to do next. Now What?…their next steps are relatable to many on our Eastern Shore…they went fishing!
The Bible recounts in John chapter 21, how Jesus once again appeared to his disciples as they were just off shore, fruitlessly casting their nets. He stood on the beach and called to them to cast their nets on the other side…the result was a haul too heavy to pull into the boat. When Peter realized it was Jesus on shore, he did not even wait for the others to row back, he jumped into the sea to get to Him. Peter surely loved Jesus, but perhaps his heart held guilt as well. Peter had, after all, denied knowing Jesus three times when Jesus was crucified. As Jesus sat on the shore with these fishermen/disciples, He turned to Peter and three different times asked him the same question, “Do you love Me?”. Each time Peter repilied, “Yes, Lord! You know I love you.” Each time Jesus gave Peter an action to show his love, “Tend my lambs”, “Shepherd My sheep”, “Tend My sheep”. I can imagine the lifting of Peter’s burden of guilt and shame…to profess his love three times after denying Him three times, to be given grace and a solid answer to their “Now What?” delimima. Jesus replaced Peter’s shame with grace and encouragement for how to live.
The sun rose. It was spectacular. My heart soared as I considered how blessed we are, how loved we are, and how thankful I am for the grace and forgiveness I know because of Jesus.
The sun rose again today…it is Monday. In the days to come, when the Easter service messages fade away, after the eggs have been found, the brunches consumed, and the family pictures posted, we may find ourselves a bit like Peter and the disciples…”Now What?” I feel mindful of the charge Jesus gave Peter that day…tend my lambs, shepherd my sheep, tend my sheep.
Now what? Care for others as He cares for us and give grace as we have ourselves been given.
Sorry to make a long post longer…just can not forget to post this
Here again is my Abigail…this memory will always take away my breath and fill my heart.
Abigail:
I’ve lost track of how many years ago it was, yet each Spring I can’t help but recall my introduction to Abigail. I was a high school science/Bible teacher for a small Christian school at the time. One of my students was a football sized young man named Nick. He worked for a local farmer who had offered him a young lamb to take home. Nick’s mom, apparently destined for sainthood, not only allowed him to bring the lamb home, but he got to keep it in his room! Early that Spring Nick brought photos to share. To my amazement, there, wedged beside his bed and amid typical teenage squalor, was a carefully built pen, complete with wood rails, chicken wire and hay. Abigail the lamb had found a perfect home. Over the next few weeks Nick would have numerous stories to tell of Abigail’s antics. I couldn’t wait to see her for myself, so I invited Nick to bring her to school one morning.
I ushered my entire class outside and we waited like giddy preschoolers for Abigail’s arrival. I am certain I will never be able to adequately describe what I saw that day. I will do my best. We watched as Nick emerged from his vehicle with Abigail cradled in his big burly arms. We stood transfixed by the sight of what can only be inadequately referred to as “precious”. Her pure, white coat seemed almost translucent, radiating light under the bright blue, cloudless sky. Her tiny nose was a perfect, pink velvet triangle perched just above her little pink mouth. As I placed my hand on her sweet little head, she looked at me. I found myself staring into the depths of clear, brilliant blue eyes. I realized I had been holding my breath in awe. We were expecting to see a cute lamb, somewhat off white in color. I had not considered that, unlike the lambs at the local petting zoo, Abigail had been living in a clean, loving, environment. After everyone had made Abigail’s acquaintance, Nick left to return her home and we settled back into Bible class.
We soon realized the relevance of Abigail’s visit as we continued our study of Passover. The original Passover took place when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt. God instructed them to mark their door post with the blood of a male lamb. This was to protect them from the final plague which was the death of all first born in any home not so protected. (Exodus 11&12) The yearly commemoration of this event required the father to select the best, blemish free lamb and set it apart for the Passover…four days prior to the celebration. My students and I began to consider something quite startling. There was a good chance that the lamb would have been brought into the house or yard during that time. This perfect little lamb, probably as precious and sweet as our Abigail, may have clamored under their feet while they did chores, fed out of their hands and shared a living area. After four days, this lamb, which by now had become even more precious to the family, was to be sacrificed. Suddenly one can imagine the cries of the children, the quite sob of their mother, the sorrow in the eyes of the father who knows a blood sacrifice is required. For the first time, since meeting Abigail, we could truly envision the “sacrificial lamb” of the Scriptures.
The continued observance of Passover was a powerful object lesson for generations of Israelites. Every family member would be reminded not only of God’s protection and provision when He freed them from slavery, but also of the cost…the blood of their most precious lamb. This Easter we consider the final sacrifice. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, perfect and precious beyond description, was sacrificed for our sin. Many movies and videos have stirred the heart of man as they depict the brutal crucifixion of our Christ, yet none can compare to the vision of Abigail. As we celebrate our freedom from sin and death through the resurrection of our Lord, let’s never forget the cost. Praise God His love and grace make us worthy of such a sacrifice!
1 Peter 1:18-19
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold…but with precious blood, as a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”
I am amazed it is already December, but I am ready for it! I love all the “things”…baking, gifting, making, sharing, singing,serving…but my favorite things continue to be the quiet morning, still night and mid-day pause when thoughts and hearts turn intentionally toward the reason for the celebration. In some homes a candle is lit for each of the advent themes. This week let us remeber our Hope in Jesus Christ.
I squinted my eyes in the darkened hotel room. What is that light? I was desperate to get to sleep early as we planned to get back on the road before sunrise. Normally, I am a champion sleeper. My husband says it’s my superpower. Deep, snore filled, sleep falls on me with the grace of a well-trained fighter pilot landing a plane on an aircraft…and apparently just about as loud. But not this night. This night I became hyper focused on a tiny light on the ceiling that seemed to scatter brightness all around the room. The one small window was shielded with thick shades and drapes. Illuminating sources, like digital alarm clocks or charging phones, were covered with hand towels. Darkness should have prevailed, but it did not. No effort to create a darkened room could overcome the impact of the tiniest bit of light emanating from a smoke detector on the ceiling. That tiny indicator light was loudly proclaiming “I am here, I am working on your behalf” 24/7.
I’ve thought about that light recently. I actually have a similarly placed detector in my room at home. Some things I noticed. 1) In the light of day, the tiny indicator light is barely noticeable. It is obviously still there, a silent sentry guarding my home. 2) At home I am acclimated to sleeping with moonlight seeping through cracks in the drapes, a bathroom nightlight and all our electronics with LED displays…in the darkness these lights are comforting. The smoke detector indicator light seems to fade away. 3) No matter my awareness of it, it is still there…always proclaiming, “I am here, I am working on your behalf.”
As I lay in bed last night, the advent theme of HOPE on my mind, my eyes drifted up toward the tiny light on our ceiling. When it is light, it is difficult to see it. The darker the surroundings, the more impactful it is. It does not need to be bigger or brighter. It only needs to exist, ready to share its light and proclaim, “I am here, I am working on your behalf”.
I think this is a lot like the HOPE we have through knowing God loves us. Though we may not deserve it, while we all are still sinners, He sent His son (Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas) to walk among men, glorify His Father in all He did, to die and overcome death on our behalf that we may know forgiveness and grace and not eternal darkness.
He is a light unto the world. He proclaims to us, “I am here, I am working on your behalf” in our lightest days or darkest hours. My HOPE is in Him alone…when people, circumstances, or nations unsettle my heart, I will think of that tiny smoke detector light and remember… Darkness will not prevail, He is still here and working on our behalf.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12
Tuesday With Teri 