A Dad's Delight

We are so hard on ourselves. One of our "last year" granddaughters is learning to walk. The other night I noticed that she was teetering from one support to another. She'd go from coffee table to couch and back - often leaning with a big stretch to the next hand-hold.

But in me, I get impatient and frustrated when I see that I am again trusting in that person or this diet or that work to be a saving grace. I notice - because it fails and I fall.

But we're not impatient with Kate as she holds on. Even though it sure limits where she can go now, one of these days she'll be sure-footed and confident enough to toddle into Dad's arms on her own. And what a rejoicing that will be! And she will do it because she's focused on that familiar, smiling face and that "You can do it!"

In the same way Jesus loves us and is delighted in our faltering steps. He isn't frustrated with us because we're still hanging onto other supports - depending on other things or people. He knows that He'll keep calling and that one of these days we will let go and toddle into his smiling triumphant embrace. Jesus says, "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world." John 12:27-50

Lord, thank you for Your patience and continued delight in us as we learn to walk - with You.

We're On His Mind

We can so easily dismiss Jesus. His suffering couldn't have been that bad. After all He was - really is God. Hmmm...  But we forget He was fully human. A good example is the first verse in John 12:27-43.

"Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour."  It is clear that His coming betrayal, rejection, beating, taking on all sin, separation from the Father, and death are bearing down on Him.

But it's what Jesus does when He's suffering and troubled that's important. He now turns and says, "Father; glorify Your name." And don't you love it that God answers back - audibly.

However, it's Jesus final statement in this conversation that is so surprising. We get to overhear an intimate and beautiful exchange between Father and Son as they anticipate the greatest trial of His life - actually in all history.

And what are they thinking of? Its the people around them - and also us. "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes."

You gotta love this Man who consistently has you on His mind. His love is infinitely more than we can imagine. 

Lord, thanks seems so small a word. We love You.

Wasted?

Jesus has six days left before the big trial, so He goes back to the Bethany retreat house. And this place is overflowing with gratefulness. The sister Martha serves supper, newly resurrected Lazarus reclines at the table, and Mary - well she's acting strange. She takes a whole pound of this amazingly expensive perfume and pours it out on Jesus' feet. As she wipes the oil-crusted feet with her hair, the whole house is shocked by the sweet smell. (John 11:45 - 12:8)

Greedy Judas can't keep quiet and blasts her for not using that $50,000 for the poor. But Jesus says: "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me."

They all probably wonder what He's talking about. But we can see that Mary is the only one who gets to anoint Jesus' body for burial. His death is imminent. And the other women who came on Sunday morning are too late. He's alive!

So this grateful Mary's "waste" is showing our Lord honor and love in a way no one else can. We all have a unique opportunity to love and honor Him. Let's do it today!

Remove the Stone

The scene was set. Everyone around had gathered - though half-blinded with tears of grief. There was only one obstacle. A huge rock covered Lazarus' grave. And Jesus left removing that up to them. (John 11:28-44)

"Remove the stone," He cried. But wait! The sister says, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Can you believe it? She's blocking Jesus doing His wonderful work for a smell!

But isn't that us? We're afraid to remove our masks, shells, hard rocks because we might stink, be distasteful, look ugly and needy. And Jesus says, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”  When He calls us to remove our masks and shells, we can expect just that - the glory of God. It may just be to say, "I need help" or "Pray for me" or "I was wrong, please forgive me". But when we obey, the result then and now is new life. 

So Jesus can say, "Ouida or ______ or _______ come forth". And out from a dark, impotent, decaying existence, we step into the light of life.

Lord, help us to be obedient and remove the stones of pride, fear of others, and unbelief. We want new life in You,

Love's Heartbeat

It had to be obvious to all how much Jesus loved His friends at the Bethany retreat house. So the sisters sent an urgent message to Him that the beloved brother, Lazarus, was sick - very sick. They expected that Jesus would hurry on over. Is there a more puzzling two verses than these: "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was." John 11:1-27

And this hard-to-understand response allowed Lazarus' death, terrible grief and disappointment in the beloved sisters and friends, and grievous tears from Jesus Himself. So what could be worth all that pain?

A clue may be found in Jesus explanation to His friends: "“Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe". Hmmm.... These disciples had seen many miracles and heard much truth. But the coming turn around (Lazarus' resurrection) was going to be faith strengthening - life changing. 

Evidently having our faith strengthened is worth more than we realize. It is worth pain and suffering because belief is the key to life - real life. "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.'"

Lord hold us steady through necessary waves of pain and suffering. Hold us close enough to hear Your heartbeat. It only sounds like "love-love, love-love, love-love".

Love's Voice

What fun it is to see how well "love" hears. At 2 days old our new granddaughter would perk up and become "on alert" when she heard her mother across the room. Her still puffy face and eyes did not work as well as whose ears did. When the "desired" was heard, she became like a radar scanner focusing all her 7 lb. energy on that familiar comforting Mama voice. 

How our God wants us to hear Him! Jesus said, 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:19-42)

The new baby knows and hears her Mama's voice because she has lived so very near it for 9 months. She has been fed, hugged, protected, and had all needs met in that safe environment. And Mama has learned to love, sacrifice for, and take care of her even before she sees her. It is a wonderful plan when accomplished in love. 

So even though we can't see God, we can be all ears for His prompting, word, Holy Spirit. We can reject the enemy's lies and competing banter. We can desire and delight in His voice - whatever way He chooses to speak.  "How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!" (Psalm 89:15)

Lord, I want pure delight in hearing You today. Please forgive me for allowing so much distraction - so much focus on the grumbling, fearful, proud noise. May I catch throughout this day your sweet call of love.

The Door to Life

In all this world of shifting sand, toppling standards, hollow-voiced leaders, there is a secure place. Jesus makes it plain: "I am the door , if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and find pasture." ( John 10:1-18)

In this safe place place we can rest, enjoy freedom from fear, and have all the provision we need. Sounds mighty good. David experienced this place in Psalm 34:4: "I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears."

Can you imagine what it would be like - total freedom from fear? Freedom from lie-enslavement to the enemy who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy."  As Psalm 34 declares, God goes about this emancipation as we continue to seek Him. 

Jesus already paid the price: "I am the good shepherd; The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." If we will only keep returning to God and not distractions, we will have the great reward: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Thank you, Jesus, for becoming the door to life!