He's at the Table

There is a story where Jesus was invited into a home. So He went in and took His place at the table.  I invited Him into the home of my heart, many years ago.  And so there He is, very present within me.  It didn't take long for me to notice Him there and He has never left, I am thankful to say, these many years later.

So there He is at the table, but there are others there too.  It is a big table like at the holidays, full of food and conversation. Loud and colorful. So the question is, am I listening to Him?  Am I hearing His Words to me as He speaks within my clamoring heart. Or are the other voices, which are much louder, drowning Him out?  Okay, truth be told, both.

As the story goes on, it is about being cleansed from within. And He doesn't mince words either.  It is also about doing, not just knowing. He speaks to those at the table and tells them they hide the key to knowledge and don't use it to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven themselves.  They know the truth but they don't enter in.  They prefer to shut their ears and enjoy the deceptive glitter of their own little kingdoms rather than pursue truth, use the key and enter into God's Kingdom, where the real joys, the real feast, the real life resides.

God help me to listen to you, to put You at the head of the table. To follow through and live as you direct.  Thank you that You enter in and you give me the key to enter into life forever with You. Thank you that it is one key and not many keys.  One Way, One Life, One Truth.  Thank You Son and Spirit for being a part of the banquet of knowing.  Guide and direct me Lord. Today.
From Luke 37-52

Led by Love

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. 

Hosea 11:3-4

This is one of my favorite verses.  This treasure, this book of Hosea, tells of the incredible love and mercy of a pursuing God of provision, rescue and redemption.  He is the One who keeps on coming to us, who bends down to lift us up, who releases us from our bondage, who heals us, and leads us.  He takes us by the hand and feeds us.  Even when we don't realize it. I love the reference to a cord; it is something that binds us to Him.  This book is about the relentless pursuing love of God but it is also about our faithlessness, our short memories, our love affair with the world, our betrayal of this divine relationship with the One True God.  It is so much about His forgiveness which is the nature of His love.  

It is a wake up call to acknowledge His Presence, His Provision, His Way.  Every day, in big ways and in the ever so subtle ways, I forget.  I turn my heart towards the world and seek to have it satisfy me.  I live as though the world can protect me and love me.  I get creation mixed up with the Creator.

Help me Lord to walk, ever aware of the cord that binds my heart to Yours.  Help me to be consciously thankful for all you have done to set my heart free, as You have lifted the yoke of bondage from my neck.  Thank You for healing my heart, for feeding me day by day from your Word.

I pray for loved ones, that as You certainly continue to pursue them, they come to recognize and realize that it is You calling.  You are the One their hearts are yearning for.  Open their eyes to see that it is You who provided a way for them, You who send Your Son to die, as a sacrifice for us.  Help them to realize it, Lord! Help me to realize it too, in the way that I live.

I exalt you Holy One.  Thank you that You never give up on me.

Making Shelters

Luke 9:28-37

Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain with Him. Staggering.  Jesus, God, taking these mortal men up with Him to pray. And there they SAW His Glory!  His entire being shone with blinding, dazzling light that we can only imagine as He communed with His Father. Heaven come down.  Yes that is the story.  Jesus/God/The Holy Spirit came down. For us.  But I digress.

So where are the human heroes of the story after their trek up the mountain? Asleep!  Of course.  One of the most amazing things to ever see, ever in history, and they almost missed it. So how much do I miss,  that I am invited into as a daughter of the King.  Beloved child with the Holy Spirit of God living right inside me?  How much do I sleep through?  Or how much am I distracted, looking elsewhere, trying to figure things out on my own.  Like Peter.  Once they woke up and realized the glory they were seeing, what does he try to do?  He tries to contain it; make shelter for the King of Glory, the Creator of all things.  That too is what we do.  We try to get everything just right and then freeze!  That's it.  We have God right where we want Him. Silly, sad, shallow, dull witted as I am, that is what I do.  It is subtle sometimes. I don't know I am doing it but it is true.  I want heaven on earth, now. Freeze.

Bottom line.  His Kingdom is come.  It is here.  But we can not contain it. He is ever on the move. He is ever at work. He is always in control and He is ever good.  I am sad about change right now.  Probably in more ways and areas that I even know. And that is okay.  God is on the move and I need to move with Him.  I need to trust that He is orchestrating things to bring His glory to those He loves, which is everyone.  So as He is at work. I need to remember, God completely interrupted Peter to say. "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him." That is it.  The bottom line. For today.  For tomorrow. And forever. Listen to the Lord. Day by day.

He is the One who will never change.  He is the One who will never leave or forsake me (one of the first promises He gave me personally, many years ago when I was a new Christian). He is my constant, my true north.  And I can listen to Him. That is good news.  That is the life line. That is what I can cling to.

Help me Lord to keep my ear tuned to your Voice.  Help me to not fall asleep and get distracted and miss the amazing things you have for me, even the little things, like the humming birds in my yard, my granddaughter's delight in the smallest details of life around her, the sunset, the clouds, friends, family, and oh so much more.  Let me be part of what you are doing and not be looking for empty shelters to build. Jesus was talking about the mission He was sent to complete.  He was at work. Help me be apart of your life on earth, a giver, not a consumer.  And help me to be filled up by You, Lord.  You are the One who fills my soul, with peace, with love, with joy, with rest.  Thank you that You came. That you can not be contained, tamed, controlled or even understood.  Thank you for being God.  Thank you that I can listen. Forgive me when I don't! I give you all thanks and praise.