The Dailyness of Grace

I was praying through the Lord's Prayer today, using it as a line by line launch to help me pray for the day. And then incredible Word of God! I do this most days yet verse 11 in Matthew 6 leaped out at me. It spoke to my soul with a fresh and needed revelation. It says,

Give us today our daily bread.

Two times in 6 words, the dailyness of our requests is mentioned. Jesus was intentional with His Words. Here He tells us to focus on what we need for the day. 

Today. The one and only, here and now is what we have, what we live in. The Present. Who knows about tomorrow? Yesterday is gone.

Not that we don't need to prayerfully plan ahead. And the past does contribute to the needs of today. But it is His day by day encouragement, wisdom, grace, guidance and so much more we need, to help us navigate through life. It is what we need to be reminded of as we seek to learn to do life His way. Left to ourselves, our default is not so great.

I also read this morning (do you think God is trying to tell me something here?) a little Henri Nouwen. He said, 

"Mostly we have just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark.  When we are able to take the next step with the trust that we will have enough light for the next step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go." 

Life is a step by step process. One day at a time. Twelve step recovery programs have discovered the great secret of living this way. In fact the very name of the program reflects the importance of this. Those who learn to do this well, find themselves on a healing path. The truth is we are all in need of recovery and this particular "art of living" is something we all can practice and grow from. 

This is nothing new. The children of Israel were only given enough manna (their food) for the day. If they tried to hoard more for later, it rotted. Yet day by day there was enough. There was no need for them to take more than they needed for each day. Check out Exodus 16. What a stark way for them to learn this lesson. 

From the Nouwen quote I was convicted that worry is a form of complaint. Jesus, in Luke 12, used a bit of irony with His followers and said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" 

God knows what we need and when we need it. He wants us trust Him and realize worry is a needless, futile exercise. Truth be known, we can't deal with what is around the corner yet because there are things that will be in play we aren't even aware of now. We need to leave our tomorrows in His capable hands.

God help me focus on seeking You for the Light I need for the present day. Each day. Help me strive to live a life of faith and gratitude. Thank you for the enough you give me. Help me remember daily,

The faithful love of the LORD never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is His faithfulness;

His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Irrational Love

I was reading in Luke 6 today, the Beatitudes. Pondering the wisdom to be found there. Jesus is surrounded by people who needed healing, people who wanted answers. People like us. They came in throngs. Jesus  spoke, addressing His disciples, yet within earshot of the crowd, and carefully explained the realities of life in God's Kingdom. This kingdom life is the new reality He came to bring us. In it, He replaces our sadness and heartache, our bankrupt souls (our physical, spiritual and emotional poverty), our hunger and our thirst, our questing and questioning, with the life we all yearn for. 

Some call it the great exchange. This exchange isn't an even one. He gives us everything. We only bring ourselves. Tattered, worn and broken as we are, we are invited to come. He declares the Kingdom of God is ours! Satisfaction. Laugher and joy. He says our reward in heaven is great. Yet it begins here and now; we only need to receive it and live it out. The Message version of Luke 12:29-32 puts it beautifully when Jesus says,

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re My dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

Steeping ourselves in Him is the thing, because back to Luke 6, Jesus goes on and tells His disciples, to love and pray for our enemies. Of course this goes for His modern day followers too. Whoa. That's not easy. It seems a stark transition from the feel good beatitudes to loving our enemies.

But I think the transition is intentional. Operating out of His provision is the only way loving and praying for our enemies is possible. Joyful, satisfied, kingdom life is where we find it within ourselves to do this. Too often we try to do these things on our own. And on our own, even with the best of intentions, we soon loose steam and fail. 

Living His kingdom way, we understand more and more how deeply we are cherished, noticed, heard, seen, and loved by God. It slowly sinks in; we are beloved children of God. Knowing this, we have more capacity to extend this kind of irrational love even to our enemies. We give as we are given. Jesus set the example when He came, lived, and died for us when we didn't deserve it one bit. This is the kind of love the world sits up and takes notice of. This is the kind of love God's kingdom is characterized by.

I am reminded of John 15 where Jesus tells us He is the Vine we are to cling to, abide in. In order to accomplish anything, we must stay connected to Him, day by day. For me that begins with reading and praying through bits of the Bible, daily, so my heart and mind are reshaped, to help me grasp the greatness of God's love. This is the secret of kingdom living. God help me continue to cling to You, the Vine, my Savior in order to receive and then extend Your grace and love to those around me.

Sacredness in the Mundane

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom 

His favor rests."

Luke 2:14

If there was somewhere to be, a moment to witness in history,  it was in the fields with the shepherds when the angels showed up to tell them about the baby lying in the manger. The Baby, their Savior, Christ the Lord. And then as if that wasn't enough, they heard a multitude of angels singing, praising God. They saw them, a host of angels filling the sky. The glory of the Lord shone all around them. THE GLORY OF THE LORD, the melody of angels! Imagine that!

These men, minding their business, doing the mundane job of tending sheep, day in and day out, were chosen to hear heavenly choirs in joyful worship. Those men, sheep tenders were some of the first to know our Great Shepherd, the Prince of Peace, had come. He had been born into this world. His arrival, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords landed Him in a barn. Everything was about to change.

These were not theological scholars. Not the best and brightest. They were common every day people. Like you and like me. Living out their lives. Putting in their time, doing life. And then every thing changed. God burst in. Oh the juxtaposition of high and low. Glory and the mundane. Human and divine. 

Joyous news displayed, proclaimed across the night sky. The stars twinkling in creation harmony. It was the beginning of a L-O-N-G awaited time. It was the first heralding of the Good News. The Kingdom of heaven had come. And those those shepherds were witness to it. 

God, Who created the universe, self existent, eternal, self sustaining, majestic, almighty, came as a babe. He came in the most humble, most mundane way possible. Completely dependent on a young man and woman to care for Him. This sacred, holy Life entered our world through the portal of a manger scene. He became one of us. 

How often does God do that? Burst in when we least expect Him. Isaiah speaks of his vision of heaven and says, "And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY.”     Isaiah 6:3

I read that passage not too long ago and I have been pondering what it means. I think it means the whole earth is FULL of God's glory! We most likely won't have an experience like the shepherds did but I am convinced that we can learn to be more attentive to His glory as we realize it is all around us. We can look for Him and His fingerprints as we go about our days, in the mundane, things we tend to take for granted. 

Our breath. Clouds dancing across the sky. A flower pushing through a crack in the side walk. A kind word. An inspiring word. Hope that defies circumstances. The privilege and ability to pray. A child's laugh. A Savior, named Jesus who came to rescue us, Who is Love, Who came down to set our hearts free. 
Make your own list!

God, give me eyes to see the wonder of your creation, your holiness everywhere. Forgive me for fixating on what is not right, what is not good. Those things are there but I want to focus on Your goodness. I want to recognize Your favor, Your beauty, Your good gifts wherever I am. Help me see these good things in others, even when they aren't at their best. Help me see others as you see me, Lord, through eyes of grace and of love. Thank You for coming, for resting Your favor upon us, bringing us Your peace. Thank You Lord for filling this earth with Your shining glory.

The Advent of Light

Because of and through the heart of tender mercy 

and loving kindness of our God, 

a light from on high will dawn upon us and visit us.

To shine  upon and give light to those who sit in darkness 

and in the shadow of death, 

to direct and guide our feet in a straight line 

into the way of peace.

Luke 1:78-79 amp

Advent begins today. We begin the countdown to Christmas. The celebration of the coming of Love. Love incarnate, Jesus, Who came and lived among us. 

This is a season of craziness, of consumer frenzy, of over the top busyness. I don't want to get sucked into all of that. I want to ponder about what this month can be about. If I am intentional.  And to start with I am drawn to the idea of light. 

The passage above speaks of Jesus coming from on high, from heaven, to bring a glorious dawn to a world tainted with darkness. Light came to us, born from the heart of a merciful and loving God. Indeed the world seems so very dark right now as horrific things are happening across the globe.  Evil seems to be unleashed in ways that are not unfamiliar if we look at the track record of mankind, but it seems to be more blatant, more widespread. World powers are flexing their muscles and it seems we are on a dangerous precipice. 

The good news about light is it always wins. Dark can not overcome light. When light is shined, even a tiny spark, it always dispels darkness. Light is powerful, hopeful. It is penetrating. It is also revealing. What darkness tries to hide is exposed in light. Light eliminates darkness. It can never be the other way around.

The promise of a light coming (see Isaiah 9:2) was something generations of God's people looked forward to. They yearned for it as they toiled in struggle filled lives. They waited for generations for this promise to be fulfilled. And then Jesus was born. 

Heavenly light came in such a humble, unobtrusive, and vulnerable way. The way the Light of the world came was unexpected. Many missed it. A tiny child. One of us. But this was God's plan from the beginning of time. This child's coming was the dawning yearned for by the hearts of so many. John 8:12 confirms Jesus is the Light. "When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

We begin this season of Advent in anticipation tinged with joy as we celebrate Love that has come to us. We can share this love, this light with others, our hope, with those who walk in purposelessness, pain and confusion. 

We don't have all the answers. There is still much darkness all around. But Jesus promised to come again to usher in a time when light will be everywhere. No more darkness.

This time is spoken of in Revelation 21:23-25. "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates be shut, for there will be no night there."

All of these verses are filled with hope. They talk about following Jesus now, about walking "in a straight line into the way of peace."  Since the birth of Jesus, people have been able to live in His light until the fullness of light comes, when all things will be put right for good, as we see in the Revelation passage. 

We can live in gratitude for the Light that has broken through. We can follow Jesus, Who illuminates our way, day by day, through the ups and downs of our lives. We can look to Him to direct and guide our feet through this often dark, yes, but also hope-filled world.

May we all be blessed in this Advent season as we ponder the wonder of Love, the Light of the World that came and lived among us.

His Grace Ahead of Us

Jesus said to them, 

"My Father is always at work to this very day, 

and I, too, am working." 

John 5:17

There are so many things we just don't understand; things that happen, things that are difficult, heartbreaking even.  The world seems to be drowning in suffering. Hard times aren't unique to modern times. We can look at scripture, put ourselves in the shoes of those who walked long ago, and see they too lived through tragedies of their times. How they grappled with the difficulties thrown their way, how they behaved in the midst of it all can be very instructive for us. Some chose to believe God was there, in the midst of it all, and chose to walk in truth and integrity. And some chose to take matters in their own hands. Esau giving away his birthright for a bowl of stew comes to mind. Some learned from their trails and sadly some didn't.

We see Jesus' patience with Mary and Martha when they accused Him of abandoning them when Lazarus died. He told the mourners, the crowd, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"  And Lazarus rose from the dead. Jesus knew the outcome of the situation, what God had in mind. How much do we leave outcomes to God?

We need to have faith. Faith is not necessary except when circumstances bring us to our knees. Faith is choosing to believe God is always at work when we don't see it.  We might not understand what in the world is going on, but we can choose to believe God knows what He is doing. We can choose to trust His promises.

Prevenient grace. This is the concept of grace that goes ahead of us. I love that idea. Grace with a plan. A plan that reveals God's heart for His creation. It is a heart of love and compassion. It is the heart that came out of the garden after the first wayward choice was made, the first time mankind chose to not trust God at His Word. God came out of the garden and pursued His creation in spite of their folly.   

He provided a path for us. A way back to Him, our Father, Who loves us and wants to be with us. His is a path of love and grace. He sent His Son, Jesus, to walk that path in order to make a way for us. Jesus is the One Who offers us His companionship on this path of grace so we are never alone. 

I know there is much, MUCH debate about prevenient grace. I don't wish to get into that. But I do want to remind myself, that whatever my day holds, wherever i go, God is there. He has gone ahead of me. And He is at work. Always. For my good. 

I can anticipate His presence with me. His Presence enables me to trust Him, even if I am confused and don't know exactly what to do. I can trust Him to sort out things that seem overwhelmingly complicated. In His timing.

Ours is a walk of faith. Faith enables us to stand. To stand strong. Faith enables me to live in confidence and freedom from worry. Do I do that all the time? Not even. But I am learning. He is at work in me. Always.

Lord, help me to lean in and listen, to trust what You are doing in me  and also what You want to do through me. This is a moment by moment thing. I am so thankful You are waiting for me when I arrive, whenever and wherever I go. My mind can hardly conceive of that. 

Help me to be present in the moment, cognizant of the fact that You are at work, especially in puzzling circumstances. I don't want to be tossed to and fro by the things that go on in my head that cause worry and confusion. Help me live in the peace and security of knowing You love me and want the best for me and You are working that out.

Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a Voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:20-21

Cast Your Net

The disciples had seen the resurrected Christ. They experienced the joy of seeing Jesus after His defeat over death. Yet they still didn't know the part they would play on the world's stage. They didn't understand  the direction of their lives would be completely rerouted by His resurrection. They were headed back to their old lives, to what was familiar.

Simone Peter said to them, "I am going fishing!" They said to him, "And we are coming with you!" So they went out and got into the boat [Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, John, his brother James and 2 other disciples], and throughout that night....they caught nothing. John 21:3 So off they went.

They came in after working hard, all night long, tired and empty handed. And there was Jesus, standing on the shore, waiting for them. And as is often the case with us, they didn't recognize Him at first. 

Jesus knew exactly how they felt, what they had been doing the night before. He knows us so well. Our circumstances, our challenges, our bent. He calls out to them, "Hey guys, have you caught anything?" Like He didn't know?! They answer no. One can imagine the despondency they felt as the man on the shore asked them the obvious.

Still not recognized, Jesus tells them to throw the net out again...and precisely where to throw it. He promises them they will find fish this time. Of course He knows where the fish are; He knows the names of the stars and how many hairs are on our head. He is God.

Their catch was overwhelming. They connect the dots and recognize Jesus. They come ashore and see Jesus had breakfast waiting. It was time to do serious business with His disciples. They didn't know it but they weren't going to go back to the fisherman's life, the life they knew. They were about to become the first of many generations of men and women whose lives were all about representing the Resurrected Saviour to our lost and hurting world. He had work for them to do. The mission Jesus began was to continue through His beloved disciples, His followers. This was the plan. We are the plan.

Around the campfire, over a warm meal, He tells them they are to tend to His sheep. They  were to be about the business of God's Kingdom. I'm pretty sure this was news to them.

Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. As believers, we can expect our lives to be rearranged by the Lord, as He has His own plans for us. Sometimes we aren't sure what to do. The future can seem vague or confusing as we attempt to live into new ways. I am so thankful for God's patience with me as I struggle to understand the way He wants me to go, where to cast my net.  I am also in awe of how He seems to break through the messiness of life and accomplish His ways, in spite of us, as He leads and guides us.

Lord, help me to recognize and carry out the plans You have for me. I want to come to You so You can tell me where to cast my net and not spend hours in fruitless search. Thank You for Your tenderness towards me when I go back to the old familiar ways of living. Thank you for leading and guiding me to the meal that awaits me, fire burning, all ready to go. And mostly I am in complete awe that You are here with me so I don't have to eat alone.

In the Garden

It all began in the garden. Our fellowship with the Almighty God. Genesis 2:15 says the LORD GOD took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden.... But then we know what happened. The man and the woman were tempted. They gave in. This was the beginning of trouble. Lots of it.

There was the sound of the LORD GOD walking in the garden, enjoying the cool of the day. That is when Adam and Eve hid. But it is worth noting, they knew that sound. We can imagine the many times they enjoyed the garden, the delights of it, the beauty of it with God. 

God cried out to them as they were hiding. Of course He knew they were hiding, what had happened. But He cried out to them none the less. Their fellowship had been breached.

So God had to put them out of the garden, where there was more temptation, more opportunity to bring more evil upon themselves. Yet once banished, we see God making the first blood sacrifice for mankind. He Himself, made garments of skin to cover their nakedness, their shame. This is a preview of His  great love and His provision for all of mankind.

I am reading about the culmination of God's love and  provision in the Book of John. I can't help but notice it was a garden Jesus was led from after He was betrayed by Judas. Many translations refer to this place as a garden Jesus often met with His disciples in. It seems to mirror Genesis. The garden. The place were God met man and they enjoyed fellowship.  

In John 18, Jesus was bound up and led away from that garden, the one He often met His disciples in. He went out just as Adam and Eve did. He did not nothing wrong yet out He went. Willingly. His supreme sacrifice was set into motion. Not another animal sacrifice, but the once and for all sacrifice was going to be made. God provided once again. He was going to get rid of guilt, shame, and death once and for all by sacrificing His One and Only Son.

After His death, Jesus body was laid to rest in a garden tomb. He had re-entered the garden. His work on earth was finished. And a way for us to have fellowship with God was made. Once again we can walk with God in the garden. The garden of His love.

Being with God is an oasis in the midst of the trials of life we all face.  This metaphor of the garden, God's desire to be with us in beautiful fellowship, His tenderness and love, His provision, even back in Genesis is deeply moving.

Thank you LORD, for making a way for us to walk with You. Forever in sweet fellowship. Thank You that you pursue us. Relentlessly, persistently, patiently and faithfully, because You are loving and kind. Thank You for Your all encompassing provision.