Which King?

This past Sunday we witnessed a teachable moment gone awry.  The pastor called the children to the front of the church to pray with them before dismissing them to “King’s Kids” (Sunday School) classes.  Before he prayed he asked them what they were learning about in King’s Kids. 

One little guy piped up, "The king!”  Clearly thinking this was a teachable moment the pastor responded, “Which king?”  To which the little guy responded, “Burger King!”

Gales of laughter ensued from the congregation and pastors.  A prayer was said and the kids were sent off to their classes.  I leaned over and whispered to my husband, “There’s got to be a blog post in there somewhere.”  So here we are.

It’s been at least 15 years, possibly more, since I ingested a fast food burger!  Generally they wreak havoc with my digestive system.  However, in the interests of blog research, further investigation was required.  I had to google “Burger King” to find out where they were located in Edmonton, and ended up hitting on $2.49 Whopper Wednesday; a whopper, fries, and a bottle of water for only $5.25.  Who knew!

I remember the Burger King “king” as a fairly cheesy (no pun intended for those who like their Whopper with cheese) branding character.  Apparently their marketing people felt the same because there is no hint of the “king” anywhere in the restaurant.  The closest I could find related to kingship was a crown on the wall and one on their paper cups.

So apparently the burger “king” no longer exists as a character but the legacy of Burger King lives on in $2.49 Whopper Wednesdays and in the mind of a child on Sunday morning!

Where am I going with this?  Well, aside from actually enjoying my grossly unhealthy lunch, I got to thinking about kings. 

In that little guy’s life the king of choice at that particular moment was Burger King.  Maybe he’d been promised Burger King for lunch.  I’m fairly sure the answer the pastor was hoping to extract from this little guy was Jesus.  (After all isn’t that the answer to any Sunday School question?)

As Christians, Jesus is our Lord and King.  What’s sad is how often we put things ahead of Jesus.  Soon He becomes downgraded from King to commoner.

We end up treating Jesus no better than a fast food order window.  We absent-mindedly toss up prayers, expecting short order answers in five minutes or less.  Then we wonder why we feel disconnected and dissatisfied in our Christian walk. 

How much better would it be if we spent time getting to know Jesus, who He is, and what He did to save us from our messed up lives; giving us eternal life with our Father in Heaven?  How close a relationship would we have with Him if we spent daily time in prayer and bible study?  Start today and renew your relationship with our King.

Things To Think About

Have you downgraded Jesus’ status from Lord and King to something else?  Are you in the habit of making “fast food prayer requests”?  What steps can you take today to re-establish Jesus’ kingship in your life?

Share your thoughts by clicking on “Comments” below.

What To Do About Jesus

“What shall I do, then with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”  This is the question Pilate asked an unruly crowd many years ago.  The response to this question led to the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus; a series of events that has caused people around the world to ask themselves the very same question.

I went to church for years without asking myself that question.  I believed in God and prayed to God, but Jesus was just kind of there in the background.  I couldn’t really articulate what I believed about Him, and I was OK with that.

Eventually I realized if I was going to call myself a Christian, I needed to make a decision.  Did I believe Jesus was the Son of God, crucified and risen?  If I did what were the implications of that?  And what if I got it wrong?  It was a decision only I could make and it was time to choose what I was going to do with Jesus.

I started on a faith journey, searching for answers to mysterious questions.  Everyone’s faith journey is different.  Mine happened over the course of the last few years and I’m still on it.  But early on, after reading and reflecting on the gospels in the Bible, my decision about Jesus was made. 

I do believe Him to be the Son of God.  I believe He voluntarily died on the cross so I can be forgiven of my wrong doings.  I believe He rose from the grave and is alive in me in the form of the Holy Spirit.  And I believe that one day I will join Him in eternal life.  That’s my choice.  I believe.

There are many different opinions about who Jesus was.  Even when He was alive He was controversial and people had varying opinions.  Some listened to Him, saw Him perform miracles, and chose not to believe.  Others, never having met Him, chose to believe He was the Son of God.  And some were swayed one way or the other by popular opinion, or the influence of religious leaders.

I think of the Roman soldier who watched Jesus as he died an excruciating death by crucifixion.  I wonder what he saw in Jesus' death that made him exclaim “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39; Matthew 27:54)

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Where are you on your faith journey?  Have you answered the question, “What will you do with Jesus, the one called the Messiah?

Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

Pure Flix - Do You Believe? - Movie Thoughts

A year ago Pure Flix Entertainment released their movie “God’s Not Dead”; a hit among

Christian movie goers.  This weekend their new movie, “Do You Believe” hits movie screens across Canada and the U.S.

I attended a pre-screening sponsored by 105.9 ShineFM in Edmonton and highly recommend you put this movie on your “must see” list.

Gun fights, car crashes, tear jerking moments, family strife, action, drama; this movie has it all.  Not once did I think, “This is two hours of my life I’ll never get back.”  Trust me there are lots of movies out there where that’s about all I can say about them, but “Do You Believe” isn’t one of them!

“Do You Believe” challenges you to answer real questions.  Do you believe in Jesus Christ?  Do you believe in the power of His death and resurrection?  Do you trust Him for your salvation?

One bit of dialogue stayed with me long after we’d left the theatre.  A first responder leads a dying man to Christ, giving him a small wooden cross.  The cross becomes “exhibit A” in a lawsuit the man’s wife files against the first responder. 

He must make a decision…does he stand up for his belief, or deny his faith to gain the backing of his union.  The prosecuting attorney looks him in the eye and speaks these words, “This cross is gonna cost you.”

“This cross is gonna cost you.”  How true!  Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee a life exempt from pain, sorrow, anguish, heartache, and illness.  Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”  (Matthew 15:24-25 NIV)

The cross will cost you.  The cross will challenge you. 
The cross will save you!

Do you believe?  And if you do…what are you doing about it?

Check out the “Do You Believe” movie trailer and don’t miss this faith challenging movie opening this weekend.

The Sacrifice Of Forgiveness

I'm not sure video blogging is my forte, but regardless, I decided to try something a little different this week.  The video below is a short monologue on the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Things To Think About

Have you accepted the forgiveness Jesus offers at the cross?  Is Jesus your Saviour?

 

To share your thoughts click on "comments" below.

Knowing God's Presence

“The cloud covered the Tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle…The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it.  This continued throughout all their journeys.”  Exodus 40:34-38 (NLT)

What would it be like to wake up in the morning, yawn, stretch, scratch, and look out the window to see physical proof of God’s presence hovering over your place of worship?

Or imagine screaming yourself awake from a nightmare and peering blindly into the thick darkness to see a reassuring fire glowing over the church – a constant reminder that God is with you.

Would it make your faith stronger?  Would you trust God more?  Would you worship more?  Would you treat people better?

Or would His presence become common place, instead of sacred…just one more cloud on the landscape?

So often we struggle to “see” God, and we look for reminders of His presence.  We carry symbols with us.  We wear jewelry in the shape of a cross.  We put fish stickers on our bumpers.  We carry small polished rocks engraved with words like “faith” and “hope” and “Jesus”.  We wear bracelets proclaiming , “I am second”.

We yearn for a constant sense of His presence and we do all these things to remind us of Christ’s death and resurrection.  These are signs and symbols of our faith, but none are the physical presence of God. 

Yes, the Israelites were fortunate enough to journey with visual proof of the physical presence of God, and it must have been amazing, awe inspiring, and frightening all at the same time.  But today we don’t need physical proof of God’s presence.

When Jesus gave His life for us, was crucified and rose from the dead, God’s presence came to dwell in us in the form of the Holy Spirit. 

Admittedly there are times when you don’t “feel” the presence of God, but if you’ve trusted Jesus with your life, then you can be certain He is there with you always.

“The eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him – but some of them doubted!  Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)

Some of the disciples doubted Jesus’ presence even though He was standing right in front of them.  But He reassured them, promising to always be with them.  We can take reassurance of His presence from this promise, too.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

Do the times you think God isn’t there outweigh the times you “feel” His presence?  Are you like the doubting disciples, needing reassurance?

Share your thoughts by clicking on “Comments” below.

Eternal Hope

This post is dedicated to my dear friend, Judy.  In memory of her daughter.  Thank you for sharing your pain with me.

 

How do you find hope in your life in the midst of pain and suffering?  What a question!

This past weekend I was facilitating a women’s retreat for Southwood United Church.  The retreat centre is located on an escarpment in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains overlooking the Ghost River.  This was the scene of a major flood that swept across Southern Alberta in 2013.

 

Trees that previously stretched their limbs to the sunlit sky now lie on the ground, flattened by the rush of water that buried them one year ago.

On Saturday afternoon I went for a walk by the river with a dear friend who recently lost her daughter.  Her pain is fresh and raw, and my heart broke for her as we grieved together by the river.

 While we were there we noticed an interesting characteristic of the trees in the devastated landscape.  Each tree appeared to be lying on the ground.  On closer examination we realized that although they were flattened out, each tree had brilliant green spring growth on it. 

 Intrigued, we looked closer and saw that the trees, weren’t actually uprooted. Their trunks lay parallel to the ground, forced down by the weight of the flood waters, but their roots remained firmly planted in the ground.

 Despite adverse growing conditions, their roots extended deep into the soil and they continued to thrive and grow. 

 

My friend, in the midst of her pain, looked at this and commented on the similarity to a faith journey.

 Life’s events knock us down and leave us lying on the ground, but our faith roots us firmly in Jesus Christ so we are able to drink deeply from His well of life-giving, life-sustaining water and continue to grow through difficult times.

 

This beautiful woman is an inspiring example of what a strong faith looks like.  She grieves, and yet she finds and accepts the gifts that God continues to bring into her life.

I’m reminded of this scripture…

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”  Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)

 

So we suffer and we grieve, but Jesus is our solid foundation.

Yesterday I received this picture from my friend.  A reminder of our time together.  She titled the picture “Eternal Hope”.  Now I share that hope with you and pray for all who grieve.  May you find the hope of Jesus Christ in the midst of your pain. 

 

 

 

 

A Child Born

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

"So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.". Luke 2:7 (NKJV)

A prophesy and a fulfillment...the story of the birth of Christ, Son of God.  May it permeate your heart this Christmas and may you find peace, joy, and love.

Merry Christmas!

Do You Know Me?

A few hours ago I was waiting in line to board a plane in the Edmonton airport.  A young couple with a little girl, about four years old, was at the gate.  The flight attendant decided to engage the girl in conversation and it went something like this…

“GOOD MORNIG SUNSHINE!!!!  How are you today?  Are you excited to get on the plane?” 

I tuned out for a bit until her comment, “You have fun now” signaled the end of the conversation. 

As the family moved down the boarding ramp into the plane the little girl turned back to the flight attendant, a puzzled look on her face.  In a voice only a child can achieve, pitched perfectly to carry across the boarding lounge and down the terminal, she looked at the attendant and asked, “Do You KNOW Me?”

Needless to say the entire boarding lounge completely lost it in laughter!  It was SO perfect!

Do you know me?  Perhaps that’s a question Jesus is asking this Advent season.  In the busy press of a crowded shopping mall Jesus stands quietly in the deserted corner, knocking at your heart, asking, “Do you know me?”

Do you REALLY know me?

In the craziness that is your pre-Christmas life I encourage you to make some time to ask yourself that question.

If you’re not sure, or you’ve lost touch with Jesus, read the Christmas story in Matthew 1:18 to 2:23 and Luke 1:1 to2:20.

Get reacquainted with:

•  Jesus, the Baby
• Jesus, the Word made Flesh
• Jesus, the Miracle

Then continue reading through these gospels to get to know:

• Jesus, the Man
• Jesus, the Son of God
• Jesus, the Saviour
• Jesus, the Risen Christ

Do you know me?  Let the answer be, “Yes” to Jesus this Advent season.

Self-Proclaimed "Jesus Freak"

What are people thinking about me?  Do they like me?  Do you get hung up on other people’s opinion of you?  Does this affect your self-worth?

I’ve struggled with this all my life.  I’ve always been concerned with people’s opinion of me.  I try to pretend it doesn’t bother me, but the truth is it does.

One area I really struggle with is sharing my faith. 

Remember the lyrics from D.C. Talk’s Song “Jesus Freak”…

“What will people think

When they hear that I’m a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it’s true?”

I grew up in a small rural community in Manitoba.  There was a large Mennonite population in the community and they weren’t afraid to talk about God. 

They were frequently teased and ridiculed and I learned early in life that people make fun of you if you talk about your religious beliefs. 

This perception stuck with me throughout my teenage years.  I was an easy target for teasing and bullying, so the last thing I wanted to do was add fuel to the fire by saying I was a “Jesus Freak”.

Old habits are hard to break.  This is one that’s plagued me into my adult life.  Here are a couple of things I struggle with…

Saying grace before a meal in a public restaurant
Talking openly about my faith to someone I’ve just met

Can anyone relate to this?

This morning I caught myself again…

I arrived at work early to have quiet time to read my Bible and pray before the craziness that is “the day” set in.  I was sitting on the couch in my office with my door closed. 

 

Here's the problem, there’s a window running vertically beside the door, making me feel like I’m the dog in a pet store window that people stare and point at as they walk by.

I started praying but my mind tricked me into feeling as conspicuous as a plucked turkey the day before Thanksgiving!  And I work at a Christian radio station!  Other than church, where else would you expect to see someone praying?!?

Why are we so worried about what people think instead of what God thinks?

Jesus has some words on this topic that are hard for some of us to hear.

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”  Luke 9:26 (NLT)

Now that’s stops you in your tracks!  What kind of relationship do I have with Jesus if I’m ashamed to admit it?  If I don’t recognize Him in my life, will He recognize me in eternity?

Jeremiah has some thought provoking words to share, too.

“…Use words truly and well.  Don’t stoop to cheap whining.  Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me.  Let your words change them.  Don’t change your words to suit them.  I’ll turn you into a steel wall, a thick steel wall, impregnable.  They’ll attack you but won’t put a dent in you because I’m at your side, defending and delivering.  God’s decree.  I’ll deliver you from the grip of the wicked.  I’ll get you out of the clutch of the ruthless.”  Jeremiah 15:19-21  (The Message)

Here God says to Jeremiah, don’t tell the crowd what you think they want to hear.  You speak what I tell you and let it change them, don’t let them change you.  And He promises to protect Jeremiah from attack and ridicule.

It’s good advice for me to remember.  What about you?  We’re here to please God, not to please people.  What people think of us shouldn’t matter nearly as much as what God thinks of us.  That’s what’s truly important!

Things To Think About…

How do you share your faith with those around you?  Are you afraid of what people will think if they know about your faith?  Are you comfortable saying grace in a restaurant, or praying in public?

Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

Difficult Prayer Requests

Have you ever been asked to pray for someone but weren't quite sure how?

Recently I’ve been praying for a little boy with heart problems.  The only option for medical treatment is a heart transplant. 

As I was praying for this little fellow I felt impelled to pray for the family of the potential donor, too.

It may seem obvious to you, but in my past prayers I hadn’t connected the dots.  Suddenly it became clear.  In order for this little fellow to receive his heart, another child would give up theirs.

The answer to this prayer would come through the selfless sacrifice of parents signing a donor card on behalf of their child.  In the midst of dealing with the death of their own child they would make the choice to save someone else’s.

The prayer stuck in my throat and tears of compassion overflowed.  How do you pray in that situation?  A scenario with death and mourning on one side but joy on the other.

I asked God for guidance. 

The parallel to Jesus’ sacrifice came to mind.  Didn’t Jesus sacrifice His life so we could live?  Wasn’t there death on one side of the cross, but resurrection and joy on the other?

Knowing His death is imminent, how does Jesus pray?

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”  Luke 22:42 (NLT) (I've added the emphasis.)

Jesus chooses to give up His life and saves ours eternally.  A family faces the imminent death of their child and chooses to save the life of another through organ donation. 

A life ends and life is given.

I realized that only God knows what's best in this situation.  So I prayed Jesus’ prayer.

 

I prayed for the family and the sick little boy waiting for a heart.  I prayed for the unknown family and their child, and the difficult decision they would face.  And I prayed that God would take a tragic situation and redeem it in His own special way.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Are there prayer requests you struggle with?  How do you respond in these situations?

Share your thoughts by clicking on "comments" below.

Trusting Enough To Let Go

Do you have a hard time trusting God with everything in your life?

 

Trusting God to run your life can be a scary endeavor.  Sometimes I wonder if I really want to put my life in His control.

What if He wants me to give up my personal agenda?  What if my plan for my life doesn’t correspond to God’s?

Can you relate to these fears?

I’m in the process of working my way through a study called, “Power Praying” by Pastor David Chotka, the Senior Pastor at Spruce Grove Alliance Church.  I want to share a message Pastor Chotka delivers early on in the study.  Understanding this message will help you in your struggle to turn control over to God.

Think about this scripture…

“Therefore He (Jesus) is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him.  He (Jesus) lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”  Hebrews 7:25 (NLT) (I’ve added the italics)

“…to intercede with God on their behalf…” means that Jesus prays for us.  Picture it, Jesus in front of the throne of God in Heaven constantly praying for you.

Do you think no one’s ever said a prayer for you?  Do you think no one cares enough to even bother?  The truth is Jesus cares and He’s praying for you right now, even as you read this.  Regardless of the absolute worst thing you’ve done in your life, Jesus is praying for you right now!

Pastor Chotka makes this comment,

“Jesus was resurrected into glorious, magnificent authority and power.  Jesus was seeing reality from the perspective of eternity.  There were no barriers to His perfect knowledge.  He could see the start from the finish.”  (Power Praying, David Chotka, Page 32)

What does that mean for you? 

Jesus not only knows how your life started and how you came to be where are you today; He sees the bigger picture.  He knows the stuff we can’t understand.  He knows the struggle you’re facing today and sees ahead to the very best outcome for your situation.

Now consider this…

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”  Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Let’s put this all together…

1. Jesus knows what’s going on in your life and is praying for you right now. 
2. He’s got “jumbotron vision”.  He’s able to see your situation from all sides, from beginning to end. 
3. Jesus is one with God, His Father.  His prayers are always in line with God’s will for your life. 
4. When we believe in Christ, God takes every situation in our lives, good and bad, and in time, makes something good come out of them.

To summarize…

Jesus is praying God’s will and God’s will is always the very best we could possibly have.  So there’s no reason to be afraid to trust God in every part of our lives.  We can turn our fear of trust over to God.  He’s a safe haven.  We can rest in His presence.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

What’s your biggest fear about trusting God?  Share your thoughts by clicking on comments below.

Keeping Christ In 2013

“And so this is Christmas.  And what have you done.  Another year over.  And a new one just begun…”  John Lennon – “So This is Christmas” lyrics.

It’s December 31, 2012.  These lyrics play in my head as I sit contemplating the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013.

I’ve “put away” Christmas for another year.  The tree was undecorated on the weekend and hauled off to the recycle centre where it will resurface as mulch in one of the town parks in the spring.

The Christmas gifts have settled into their new homes around the house.  The decorations are packed in the Rubbermaid bin and stashed under the stairs for another eleven months.

This morning I lit the three tea lights that haven’t burnt away to nothing in the nativity set.  No point wasting them – might just as well use them up before packing it away.

I gaze contemplatively at it.  A thought strikes me.  How ironic.  Each figure in the scene has a lit candle – the angel, the shepherds, the kings.  All of them except the figure of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

I wonder if that’s a telling reflection of my life.   When I pack up Christmas for the next eleven months, do I pack up Jesus?  Do I put out the light of Christ for the year, only conveniently pulling it out to be relit for one month at Christmas?

Did my priorities from 2012 reflect this?  Did I make Christ the center of my life, or did I choose to worship other things.  Other priorities…busyness, work, money…instead of Christ’s priorities…relationships, service, and community.

Jesus is the centre of the nativity scene.  Without him there wouldn’t be a nativity scene…no angels or shepherds or kings. 

It’s the start of a new year.  What does 2013 hold?  New beginnings, new commitments, new goals, new vision.  A year full of promise, not yet sullied with hardship or struggles.

I refuse to pack away Christ’s light just because Christmas is over.  In 2013 I want His light to burn brightly in my life.  I want it to shine through me, enabling me to love and serve others so they can see and share in Christ’s light.

What does 2013 hold for you?  Will you pack up Jesus when you pack up Christmas, or will you choose to keep His light burning strong in your life through this new year that’s about to start?

Please share your thoughts on how to keep Christ’s light burning throughout the year by clicking on “comments” below.

Luke 1:36-38 - Contagious Love

MEMORY VERSE:
“What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.’  And then the angel left her.” 
Luke 1:36-38  (NLT)

Today we lit the fourth candle on the advent wreath.  The candle symbolizing love.

How Mary loved God!  She gave her life to bear God’s son.  She says, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.”

Mary couldn’t foresee the pain she would endure in being Jesus’ mother.  But she did understand the trials she would face when her family and the community she lived in realized she was pregnant.

Despite her uncertain future, she gave up plans she had for her life to follow God’s plan.  She loved her God.

And how God loves us!  How Jesus loves us!  He gave up his kingdom in heaven to come to earth as a helpless child.  He grew up and endured scorn, ridicule, hatred, suffering, and death for us. 

Jesus gave up His life because He loves us.  How do we respond to a love that runs so deep it surpasses our understanding?

You can respond by choosing to ignore Jesus and deny His existence.  Or, you can respond with love.  Love for Jesus and love for God.

And here’s the cool thing…love is contagious!  When you respond to God with love, you find yourself responding to people all around you with love, too. 

Mary responded to the angel with love and sacrifice.  Jesus responded to us with love and sacrifice.

Christmas Day is just a few days away.  How will you respond to the helpless baby lying in a stable?

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’  Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.’  And then the angel left her.” 

Luke 1:30-38 (NLT)

Luke 1:30-31 - Mysterious Yearnings

MEMORY VERSE:

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’”  Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)

Snow falls, Christmas music plays, Starbucks is filled with shiny red mugs, decorations glitter on streets, and friends and family gather together.

Something dances like a tingling ball in the pit of my stomach.  (No it’s not irritable bowel) It’s a sensation of anticipation and of yearning.

Anticipation of what?

This is the first week of advent.  On Sunday, Christians around the world lit the first advent candle.  The candle of Hope.  Perhaps I’m yearning for hope in this world.

I wonder what Mary yearned for as she carried the Christ child in her womb.  Did she tingle with hope for the future as she awaited the birth of her miracle baby? 

The words from the song, “Mary Did You Know” resonate in this season. 

 

Take a few quiet moments to think about this song.  Let your imagination carry you into the mind of a frightened young mother waiting for the birth of an unknown child.

How could she have any idea of this baby’s future?

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to the blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?

The sleeping child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.” (See reference for lyrics below)

These words send shivers up my spine.  How could she have known? 

I wonder, if she did know what was to come in her son’s life, would she have had the courage to say, “Yes” to the angel when he told her God’s plan?

If we knew everything we'd face in our lives would we have the courage to carry on?  Perhaps it’s best not to know everything. 

Like Mary, God prepares us for what is to come by gradually revealing His plan for our lives.  He helps us grow and mature so we’re ready to face the challenges when they do come.

Advent is a time of anticipation, a time of waiting, a time of hoping, a time of wondering, a time of reflection.  There’s a sense of mystery in the air.  Something we can’t quite completely understand, but something we yearn for deep inside.

I pray that you find hope in this season of mysterious yearning. 

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’” 

Luke 1:30-31 (ESV)

 

 

Lyrics for "Mary Did You Know" taken from A-Z Lyrics - Clay Aiken Lyrics.  Song originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/clayaiken/marydidyouknow.html .