In the Time of Not Yet

As His body was taken away, 

the women from Galilee followed 

and saw the tomb where they placed His body. 

They they went home and prepared 

spices and ointments to embalm Him. 

But by the time they were finished it was the Sabbath, 

so they rested all that day 

as required by the law. 

Luke 23:55 nlt

These women. These godly women who walked with Jesus and cared for His needs are such a great example for us. They watched as He died on the cross and followed Him still. They followed and served Him when  all seemed lost. 

Jesus came and He brought His Kingdom life with Him but it was not what anyone expected. They didn't know it but they were in the time of not yet, the time before the resurrection. We too live in a time of in-between. Jesus came but we are waiting for Him to come yet again. This too is a time of watching and waiting. So what shall we do? How can we live well in this time of not knowing what is around the next bend? We can do as these grief stricken, traumatized, confused women did. We can keep our eyes on Jesus and do the next step, whatever that may be. 

Their next step was to follow and see where His body was taken and then to go home and prepare spices to anoint His body. And then as the day drew to an end, they took time to do something really important. They observed the Sabbath and rested their weary bodies. They rested in spite of their pain. They rested in their confusion. They rested in their not knowing what was going to happen next. This is not always easy to do. It was a disciplined act of faith to rest from their work. The very next dawn would bring resurrection victory. Resurrection joy. Resurrection certainty but in the meantime they had no clue about what was about to happen. Yet they stilled and quieted themselves. 

It is no coincidence the in-between day between Jesus death and resurrection is the Sabbath. It is a great reminder that we can rest in Him no matter what is going on in our lives. Even in devastation and loss God's people can find rest, trusting He has all things well in hand. We can't control outcomes but we can settle our souls knowing God is good.

These women, not often mentioned in the gospels, set a stellar example for us. We too can serve Jesus in the midst of our trials, our uncertainty. We too can find rest as we follow Him, knowing this in-between time is temporary and God is good. There is more to this life than here and now, yet it is in the here and now we live. These women kept their eyes on Jesus and defaulted to living lives of service to Him as best as they could in spite of the seeming disastrous ending to His life.

There is much for me to learn on this Saturday of not yet, the in-between of Jesus' brutal death on Friday and His Resurrection on Sunday as I consider these women. Lord help me to be faithful to You, doing what You have given me to do in this time and place of my life. Help me to have the wherewithal to find rest in the midst of troubles that come my way. Help me as I trust You, Creator of heaven and earth. Let Your victory prevail in the lives of your children all over this desperate world. Let the message of Your love, of Your victory over death ring loud and clear, the message of hope that is for all peoples of every race and creed, every walk of life.

Lord, my heart is not proud;

    my eyes are not haughty.

I don’t concern myself with matters too great

    or too awesome for me to grasp.

 

Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,

    like a weaned child 
who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.

    Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—

    now and always.

Psalm 131 nlt

Nature's Silent Song

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

 The skies display his craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

    night after night they make him known.

 They speak without a sound or word;

    their voice is never heard.

 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,

    and their words to all the world. 

 Psalm 19:1-4 nlt

I have read this passage many times. Paul uses this concept to explain all of mankind can quite plainly see God IS. Creation reveals His existence.  I have always thought of this passages in this way. Yet I am coming to understand it in deeper ways. He speaks through creation in personal and intimate ways as well as conceptual ways. He has long spoken to me through creation; I am just coming to a fuller awareness of how powerfully He speaks to me through the beauty and even barrenness of nature. I guess this is why being in nature is commonly understood as a spiritual discipline, a way to open one's heart to God.

I have always had an awe for the beauty of creation as I have been privileged to have experienced stunning natural beauty in my lifetime. But in the last few years, I have had it speak to my heart in deep and meaningful ways that transcend mere wonder. I am realizing that God talks to me loud and clear through creation in specific ways. Tender ways.

Times when my heart has ached, when I have been troubled, I have glanced up and seen the beauty of clouds painted in pastel colored wisps flung across the blues of the canvas sky. I have looked out over the ocean crashing in endless rhythm as the setting sun casts gems of sparkling color on sea and sky. Both a welcome invitation for me to stop and enjoy majesty, to forget for the moment, the fleeting issues that concern me. A flower pushing up through gravel or cement, demands me to see that life and beauty prevail. The babble of water flowing down rivers or streams speaking of the persistence of His love which flows as liquid grace from His glorious throne. Mountain peaks towering with majesty remind me I am small in the scope of life, yet not insignificant. The sound of the wind dancing through the trees, like a symphony, tells me the Holy Spirit, Jesus described as like the wind, is in me. He speaks to me of His profound, unending love for me.

These are all reminders He is with me. His Voice in my heart, a gift of assurance. He has things well in Hand when it feels like life is careening out of control. These reminders refresh and replenish me. They give me hope. Provide a bit of light (what I need in that moment) when I feel I am groping in  darkness.

I thank you Lord for Your beauty which is all around. Beauty which speaks to my heart, if only I lift my eyes to see. Thank you for Your glory displayed, moment by moment, which is the expression of Yourself, for all to see. Your ever expanding glory, never-ending creation, such a gift. Thank You we can perceive these things. Thank You for the awe they inspire which provide hope for heart and soul. You are our never ceasing hope of glory.