We all have a sense of longing for more. Even in the best of times we know there lingers, a sense of dissatisfaction deep within our soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 says, But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for HIm with all your heart and with and all your soul.

In Acts 17, Paul says, From one man He made every nation of men, that they would inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being.

So we seek God and learn He indeed is the One who truly satisfies. Isaiah 58 says, The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your need in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring who's waters never fail.

This blog is made up of reflections, that are to me, like dew drops in the garden. Things that spring from the pages of scripture and refresh my heart. Whispers, ideas, hope, inklings, inspiration, glimmers, breadcrumbs...all pointing me in the direction of my heart's true home which is the Lord.

Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His Presence] shall be my dwelling place. Psalm 23:6


Sunday, April 19, 2015

In the Meantime


Then Jesus came from Galilee
to be baptized by John.
But John tried to deter Him, saying, 
"I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?"
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now;
it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."
Then John consented.
Matthew 3:13-14

 Jesus came. He was present with John and with the people being baptized. John knew He was the One. 

 But Jesus wanted to be baptized. What? John thought that was pretty much wrong and told Jesus so. Seriously, why would the Messiah need to be baptized? The Holy One of God? And then John, knew he was just a man, and not a perfect one at that; he didn't feel qualified to baptize Jesus. Not at all. This seemed like a bad idea.

Jesus didn't argue with what John was seeing as improper. Instead He answered, "Let it be so now." This seemingly improper thing was proper for the now of that time and that place. Proper for the big picture plan God had in mind for Jesus' mission to rescue the world. It was the right thing to do even though it didn't seem right. And John got to be part of that plan. 

 There is comfort in the words, let it be now. This assures me that in the messy, uncomfortable, even painful places of my life, things can seem wrong. Terribly wrong. Yet He is with me. There is a "let it be for now" in my life. In all of our lives. My job is to lean in and trust God knows what's going on. He has things well in hand, even in the now of my life, just as He did back then.

 So the big question is, am I willing to trust Him without fully understanding? Do I consent to doing things His way (as best I can) even when it's hard? I know He hears me when I come to Him and ask about these things but often the how and the why are so shrouded. The future is concealed. I only see the way through, day by day. How it all comes together is foggy. Those are the places to hone my faith. Places where the rubber hits the road.

 There is comfort in the words, "Then Jesus came...." He was there. And He is here too. He is with me in the now of my life. And for that I am so grateful. And I am learning that that is enough. His Presence with me.

 Help me Lord, to have a heart like John's. Willing. Trusting. He was able to identify things that weren't right. They weren't as he imagined them to be when Jesus showed up. It is the imagining of how I think things should be that gets in my way. John did what God asked of him. He got to be part of the plan. That is what I too want.

 Help me to walk in faith, trusting that You are at work and there will come a day when we will see the ultimate fulfillment of righteousness. In the meantime, thank You that You are with me in the now. Day by day. I am so thankful!
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