The Hope of Glory

"And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began"-John 17:5 (NIV).

Imagine giving up your "glory" for a season. That's nigh impossible, so imagine giving up what good you feel in your societal acceptance. Our perceptions by others are very important to us. Remember the pimple on your face that felt like a blinking red beacon? How about the haircut from the stylist who never saw you again after that botched job? Even the smaller issues can be blown out of proportion: spilled liquid on the crotch of your pants, a pantyhose run blazing up the side of your leg, high water pant legs...you get my drift. These things can have us feeling anxious, hiding away where no one can see us, and we would certainly never choose this discomfort. We fear rejection. Jesus gave up His glory for us, sinners, who rejected Him. Why would He do that? Because "God so loved the world," you and me, and now we get to share in Jesus' glory (John 3:16; Romans 8:18). Jesus' prayer, "I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are One," is one of God's most beautiful gifts (John 17:22). He has shared His glory with us. "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). 

Searching for the Red Bucket

"Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these"- Matthew 19:14 (NIV).

My grandson, Brantley, just turned four-years old, which means he is too old now for the nursery and ready to attend the children's sermon in the sanctuary. The children's sermon is done down front, on the steps leading up to the podium, in full sight of the congregation. I had spoken to the children's minister, Cameron, before church and told him about Brantley and our anxiety over this being his first time. At the appropriate time, I took Brantley down and seated him with the other children. He waved to us moments later, which let us know he knew where we were and he seemed to be content seated with the other children. His mother and I watched holding our breath. Cameron had an activity where four red buckets were hidden throughout the front of the sanctuary. He called on three children to go search for the red buckets and then asked if there was a Brantley in the group. Brantley jumped up and climbed down through the other children to Cameron. My heart almost stopped beating. Brantley looked around, trying to decide where to go, while my mind whirled; but, Cameron's wife got up and took Brantley by the hand, guiding him to a "good" spot to search. He ran back triumphantly to Cameron with the red bucket held high over his head. The sad truth is, if I had known before hand, I probably would have kept Brantley with us, fearful of creating a scene...or causing embarrassment. Cameron and his wife helped lead Brantley, not only to look in a "good" spot for the red bucket, but they began the process of leading him to find Jesus. It makes me wonder how many times I have held myself and others back in an attempt to not make a scene or cause embarrassment. Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Let's hold our red buckets triumphantly over our heads and run to Jesus. 

Our Constant

"You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall"- 2 Samuel 22:29-30 (NIV).

I noticed the morning light is not present when I open my shutters at 5:50 in the morning now. The earth is rotating and the days are beginning to shorten. It's almost indiscernible, unless you're a type-A person who does the same routine each morning...like opening the shutters once my bed is made. There's good to be found in being observant. Seasons come and go, but the earth keeps turning. It weathers the heat of summer and the chill of winter, but it keeps on turning, just as God created it to do. Metaphorically, we go through seasons, too: fear and courage, sadness and joy, sickness and health, lacking and gain, etc. We must keep "turning," just as God created us to do. He turns our darkness into light, fights alongside us through battles, and gives us strength to overcome obstacles. Those who discern His presence, even through a difficult spot, are filled with the peace only God can give. There can be joy in the darkness, in the battle, and in the difficulties and what's more, a confidence grows with each "turn." God is with you. He is your Constant.  

River Guide

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze"- Isaiah 43:2 (NIV).

My husband and I went on an eight-mile white water rafting trip down the Natahala River Saturday with our daughter and her husband. We had our own raft and a guide named Ben. Ben was very knowledgeable about the river, where the big rocks, rapids and falls were located, he knew the history of the river and the names of the trees and flowers we passed by. He should have, Ben was the lead guide for the company and we felt blessed to have him. We were in very experienced hands. None of us fell out of the raft, but both my son-in-law and I got tossed into the floor of the raft. Our guide had told us to anchor our feet, so we would not fall in the opposite direction, which was "out" of the boat. Let me tell you, you have no control when your body is tossed up into the air, but we were still "in" the boat thanks to Ben. Life has a way of tossing you into the air and you feel like you have no control. Bottom line, our outcome comes from trusting and believing God is with us in our raft as we navigate the rivers of this life. Jesus is our Guide, and just as we had to listen to our earthly river guide telling us what to do, how to do, and when to do, we have to keep spiritual ears open to Jesus' promptings. God's not promised there won't be rocks, rapids and falls ahead, there will be, but Jesus is there guiding us along. He's the Lead Guide and we are in very experienced hands.

Go Up

"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it""- Numbers 13:30 (NIV).

Doubting God results in missed opportunities and consequences. Caleb and Joshua were the only two saying God would give them victory over the inhabitants of the promised land, while the others who had spied out the land with them spouted their fears they would falter and fall if they went up against such strong opponents. After all, these were fortified cities and the land was full of giants. God sent them back into the desert, on a 40-year wilderness trek, punishment for not trusting Him. Once the 40-years of desert punishment ended, the Israelites were once again standing on the edge of the promised land. Moses told them they were to go into the land courageously and in God's strength. "Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). Guess who the only two original people were who crossed over into the promised land? Caleb and Joshua. Fear and doubt can be crippling. Thankfully God is a God of second chances. And thirds, fourths, fifths...he will never leave you, nor forsake you. Go up...you can certainly do it.