![]() I took down my Christmas decorations and tree today, and it got me thinking about where most of our life is spent. The hype for Christmas is real and long. If you read my last post, you know I had a hard time getting into the hype, but most of the country did not. And then, just like that, Christmas is over and we are preparing to ring in a new year. So as much as we look forward to different seasons, we are quickly reminded it's not where we spend most of our lives. Our lives are lived in the plains and not the hills and valleys. As a Texan, I can tell you that the plains can be pretty boring. We go to the valley to retreat or rest. We go to the hill or mountain top to celebrate and rejoice. But these are not the places we spend most of our lives. Most of our lives are spent on a journey through the plains. A walk on flatland with not much around to look at. But I think this is where faithfulness grows. In the plains is where trusting God is imperative. We will never reach the hill or the valley without walking through the plains. We encounter people on this journey through the plains, and God has purpose in that. We go through routines in the plains. These routines that seem meaningless and/or mundane, yes even these have a purpose, if only we will ask God what it is. In the plains is where we rejoice in hope. "Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2 It is in the plains that we demonstrate our faith as we hope for the glory of God to be revealed, and yet, not yet. Those that we pass in the plains need to see this hope in us. A real hope demonstrated, because they are longing for the same hope. What if you were to never reach the mountain top here on earth, but only in heaven? Is your hope still real? Is the struggle still worth it? Yes. Always yes. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18 Some people will experience the mountain top multiple times on earth, others perhaps never. This is not what we hope for. What we hope for is eternal, the unseen. "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2 My encouragement to you today is to find your hope again, or maybe for the first time. Don't hope in the "thing" that is your earthly mountain top. That will fade and eventually you will be back to the journey in the plains. The real hope is in Jesus and the eternal life that he freely gives, should you decided to accept it.
Though our journey changes, He never does. (Hebrews 13:8) When you realize this hope, you will journey in the plains with a new vision. The miles may still feel long, but with a restored hope you will journey with more purpose. You will see grace all around you. And when you experience this real hope and unending grace, you will share it with those on the journey with you. You proclaim it even when you don't feel it, and then watch as God makes it so. I need this message more and more each day and hope it gives you the encouragement you need to keep moving, and never stop growing.
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![]() There are five days until Christmas and I'm just not feeling it. I am still working, and that may have a factor, but I don't think it's the only reason. I haven't needed to bundle up or been cold enough to want some hot chocolate. I won't be leaving town so I don't have travel to think about. I have even tried listening to Christmas music which is not something I do in excess as many do. I don't really know what it is except maybe a combination of them all. What I do know is this, Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). We hear this a lot around Christmas time. God has made me keenly aware of this name given to Jesus this season. And God has a purpose in all things. So as I sit here pondering this season and my feelings (or lack thereof), about it, I remember Immanuel, God with us. And then I remember John 1:1 “In the beginning was the word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” and then John 1:14 “and the word became flesh and dwelt among us” Since before time, God and Jesus “were”. The beauty of the story of Christmas is that what always “was”, now comes down and puts on flesh and now has feeling. Fully God and fully human. All-powerful and fully susceptible to the hurts of the world. In this I find hope. Yes God, I believe, but I can't say I always feel so strong about my belief. And let me be clear, this is not the result of unanswered prayer or disappointment. That's what makes it harder to confront. How do I remain faithful when I don't feel like it? I do wish I could point you to the three step process, but I can't. The only thing I know how to do is to keep moving forward and expect God to show up and revive your feelings. I believe that just as the Israelites celebrated Immanuel, God with us after waiting four hundred years, we too will have a moment of celebration. Be careful not to expect more than was promised. God's time is different than our time, his ways higher than ours. I don't know what you might be waiting to celebrate, or how you are feeling these days, but I know the reason we celebrate Christmas is Immanuel, God with us. And indeed He is. Here to dwell and be peace in our lives when everything around us is not. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is well pleased!’” Luke 2:13-14 As I continue on my journey and strive to never stop growing, I must remember God's truth more often and believe them with more power. God's word never changes, but His Spirit in us changes us through the word. Wherever you are, remember God's word and His truth. Praying the Holy Spirit does a work. Merry Christmas friends and as always, never stop growing. I hate leftovers.
I didn't like them growing up and many times, that was the answer to the question, "What's for dinner?" I didn't like them for a few reasons. The first, which is the obvious, it just doesn't taste as good reheated in a microwave! The second being slightly more "diva" of me in that I want to eat a meal that makes sense together and leftovers often meant combining three different meals into one. Just not something I got really excited about. There is also the infamous sniff test to be sure the said leftovers, won't kill you. The best is when your negative sniff test is overruled by a parent who assures you it will be fine. There were certain meals I would be glad to eat leftover like sloppy joe's, Italian sausage or maybe some Hamburger Helper. However, those were the exception, not the rule. And let's be honest, there weren't often leftovers of those! As an adult I dislike leftovers even more, but in some ways for different reasons. I am single, and leftovers can be an unfriendly reminder of that. I eat the same meal four times instead of two because there is no one to eat with me. I have learned how to make one protein into a variety of meals as well as how to cook for one, all to avoid the dreaded leftover situation. I am not asking for pity, just telling it like it is. As I was thinking of my dislike of leftovers, I began to think about how I rely on leftovers in my spiritual life. How silly is that? I go to church on Sunday, receive a word and hope it lasts until the middle of the week. I do a bible study on Wednesday and do enough so I can be full to the next Sunday. In case you were wondering, God never intended that we rely or survive on leftovers. When the Israelites were in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, God provided exactly what they needed for each day. In fact, He told the Israelites they were to only take what would be necessary for the day. If they took more, it would spoil. God provided manna and quail for the Israelites in the wilderness as a response to their grumblings. Exodus 16:13-21 "In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, 'What is it?' for they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, 'It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.' And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little, had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. And Moses said to them, 'Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.' But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted." It was a way for God to remind His people that He is still God, and He has not forsaken them. He was with them in Egypt, and He went with them to the wilderness. Interesting that God gave them the same thing every day, manna and quail, on endless repeat. That may sound like leftovers, but it's not. It's just the same great meal over and over again. Kinda like the sloppy joe's, Italian sausage or Hamburger Helper. The one that is so good there are hardly leftovers. The daily provision of manna and quail reminds me that God wants my daily commitment to Him. "Morning by morning" His intention was not to hype me up over the course of a couple of days (read also: camp high), but to daily walk with me that I may know Him more fully. Why is it that I can find time to get away for an entire weekend on occasion, but struggle to find twenty minutes daily? The answer is my flesh. The sin within me is rebellious towards God. The Good News is that the Spirit is stronger. So I read God's word and I seek to follow His commands as the Spirit within me fights against my flesh. Instead of stuffing myself and hoping it lasts a while, I will seek to get just what I need for that day and then return the next day for what I need then. And don't get me wrong, sometimes what I need is an hour alone with Jesus and my journal. But, I shouldn't expect for my portion necessary for today, to last me beyond that. In Lamentations, the author laments over the fall of Jerusalem and the illustrations used in chapter 3 are strong. Things like an animal waiting to attack, followed by an arrow piercing the kidney. It continues with someone being the laughingstock of all peoples and teeth grinding on gravel. Not pleasurable things. And through these things, the author says he has forgotten what happiness is and lost hope in the Lord. But then... The author remembers the goodness of the Lord and His steadfast love. He writes, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:22-24 God knows the sin that runs so rampant in the world and knows what we need, far better than we do. He wants to be our portion and our hope. He is the best portion and the only hope. So let us stop settling for leftovers and get our daily bread, daily. Just as our stomach's are satisfied after a good meal, so will our hearts be satisfied when we daily submit, and follow God as He has called us. Praying you get your fill today on something new and fresh. Today, I'm eating something other than leftovers and hope you will too! And as always, never stop growing. Advent is here. The arrival of Jesus' birth. We wait in expectation of what is to come. Jesus has already been born and died and then raised again, but He's coming back. The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to come quick and go by fast. For many they are filled with booked calendars and endless to do's. I don't think that's the kind of life Jesus was talking about when He mentioned giving us life to the full as counter to the enemy's plan in John 10:10. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 This time of year is a good time for us to take a step back and consider our pursuits as well as our priorities. Do they line up with what Jesus has called me to? Does my life reflect God's glory? When we answer these questions honestly we may realize we want to move into the New Year differently. Enter New Year's resolutions. What if we had these times of reflection throughout the year? How would our lives look different? What keeps us from taking time to reflect and be still more often? Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and has been for a long time. My parents have hosted it for as long as I can remember for both sides of my family, all together. I learned a lot about hospitality through watching and helping my family through the years. This year as I was driving to my parents on Thanksgiving, I couldn't help but smile at how deserted the roads and many stores were on my way. The hustle and bustle had all stopped and the thought of so many people spending time with their people brought me great joy. It was a special place in time when no one was competing for the front spot at the grocery store or the last item off the shelf. People were present where they were, not afraid of what they might be missing out on. This I believe is what Jesus meant when He promised us life to the full. And I know this moment was short lived as many stores now open in the afternoon on Thanksgiving, but yet there was still a moment. I have been challenged lately to create more of these moments for myself even when the world around me isn't in agreement. God can handle me taking a rest and refreshing my soul even when the to do list is still full. Is it possible that I can be of greater use to Him when I do take the time to rest and reflect? This Advent season is the perfect time to make that a reality. Get in the word. Pour out your heart to the Lord. Remember what your purpose is, or perhaps find it for the first time. As you write your lists and do your shopping, I hope you will remember that the greatest gift is in fact God sending His son Jesus for you and for me. And beyond that, we have received many other gifts from whom every good gift comes. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17 If you are looking for an Advent devotional, I would highly recommend "Our Gift-giving God" by my good friend Andrea Kim (available on Amazon here). It is sure to remind you of God's great gifts and call you to greater things as you receive them again and again. Hope your Christmas is wonderful and as always, never stop growing. Regan |
Regan RayI have a lot of thoughts so I decided to put them all here. Archives
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