We all know that there's a lot of disruption in the world right now. There are a lot of individuals obediently hidden in solitary isolation and families that are tucked away in the seemingly ever shrinking boundaries of their homes. There are still others though necessarily braving the possibility of a serious viral infection to go out and perform the duties that are necessary in their service to many others. So many lives and livelihoods are disrupted and questions are floating everywhere with few answers coming in response. In many ways, it's an uncertain moment in time, but only if our life is limited to revolve solely around the microcosm of humanity.
In the midst of all of the chaos and uncertainty among mankind as the days pass ever so slowly by, there's coming a moment that we can't afford to miss, disregard or neglect. It's not the day on the calendar that carries the weight of importance. The true exact date may even be in contention among men. But the particular event that we commemorate carried with it the weight of the world and remains worthy forever of both impacting awe and joyful gratitude.
Whatever we experience in our lives, whether individually or corporately, whether it be disruption, chaos, isolation or uncertainty - whatever it might be, it doesn't go unnoticed. In the midst of anything we might experience in our humanity, the watchful eye of the God who created us for Himself watches and hears everything with interest. We may wonder where He is at times in the midst of our struggles and turmoil and why He does..., or doesn't... and when He's going to move...
But the truth is that we actually know where He is - He's right where He's always said that He would be and is - with us and around us, over and above us. He's omnipresent. And we have no right posture other than to trust His perfect wisdom for the answer for any of those other questions we might have for Him. The questions that He might have for us, the ones we need to be able to provide the answers for might be around where we are, what we're doing and what we're saying to Him. While we struggle with uncertain fleeting moments in the face of an eternal lifespan... where are we in relationship to Him?
That's what He's watching and that's what He's listening for. We have needs - but He's already said that He'd answer them. We have struggles and maybe even a crisis - He's already told us that He knows. We may be hungry, fearful, lonely or weary. He's already told us that He'd care for us, that He's our strength, that He'd never leave us and would carry us through. But... where are we? What's He hearing right now? Our God has never broken a promise and He never will. He's doing His part and fulfilling His part of the covenant He made with us. But there are two parts - two sides to a covenant in order for one to exist. Father God is keeping His part of the agreement exactly, without wavering and without any true question. So the only real, possible question is... are we?
We plot and we plan without questioning whether or not our God might be willing, consumed with the business of frail humanity. We tend to focus on our comfort and our need. And like the children that we are under His watchful eye, we do remember to look up when things aren't going the way that we want or when we come to some seemingly overwhelming problem. At times we beg and we plead in seemingly critical moments about things that are humanly impossible - but not at all impossible for our Father. To ask of Him is right and what He expects of us, but what else is He hearing? How often do we remember to just look up with true gratitude for what He's already done and pour it out?
It was a fate that's worse than all other possible human calamities - one even far worse than physical death, that existed in our future. It was waiting to consume us horrifically and not just for the span of a physical human life, but for endless eternity. So our God took it upon Himself, connecting a part of Himself to the physical pain and agony that we would and should have suffered, in order to pay the horrific price that was necessary to redeem us from what we justly deserved. He did it to make it possible for us to become holy and to allow us to enter into the presence of a Holy God and not be destroyed. He felt it all and He overcame it, but He suffered and He felt every bit of what we deserved and that He never did. He willingly suffered it all for us. In light of that, what is He hearing from us now?
Right now, we might be in a little different situation than what we consider normal. There may not be the typical gathering together amongst ourselves that would normally occur at the time that we choose to specially commemorate the event of Christ's rising with more focused attention. This Easter, we may not have all of the special commercial distractions that seem to have found a way to become associated with the occasion. Personally, I think that's a very good thing, because those things really aren't necessary in order to honor God for the enormity of what He's done. We honor Him the most with our acknowledgment, with our sincere love and respect, our gratitude, our obedience, and our true joy at the enormity of our having been redeemed... and none of that requires Easter eggs, rabbits... or even ham.
With all that we could be doing and saying, what we really need to be doing is acknowledging Him along with all that He's already done and just saying... thank you, with a sincere and grateful heart. Those sincere words and actions are ones that play a role in fulfilling something of our part of the deal.
The Lord God Almighty humbled Himself to make a fantastic bargain - a covenant with the beggars that we spiritually were, even though we didn't deserve it. He's already told us in advance what He'll unfailingly do in our moments - that part of the covenant is already a definite certainty. So what's important now are those things that we do to fulfill our part of the bargain in response. Easter celebration wherever we are and whatever our situation may be, really only requires us and Him. It's an important opportunity to fulfill a part of our role in a precious Father/Child relationship. Engage Him sincerely this Easter.
Regardless of what else might be going on around you, please don't let it just pass by. In the chaos of all of the needful requests right now, let your voice be a refreshing one of sincere and joyful thanks to reach His ear for the most significant and eternal grace that mankind could ever receive. A good earthly father's heart is warmed by the adoration and appreciation of his children, how much more cause do we have to warm the heart of our Heavenly Father.
9 "For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News." 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (NLT)
He is risen... ...indeed!
In the midst of all of the chaos and uncertainty among mankind as the days pass ever so slowly by, there's coming a moment that we can't afford to miss, disregard or neglect. It's not the day on the calendar that carries the weight of importance. The true exact date may even be in contention among men. But the particular event that we commemorate carried with it the weight of the world and remains worthy forever of both impacting awe and joyful gratitude.
Whatever we experience in our lives, whether individually or corporately, whether it be disruption, chaos, isolation or uncertainty - whatever it might be, it doesn't go unnoticed. In the midst of anything we might experience in our humanity, the watchful eye of the God who created us for Himself watches and hears everything with interest. We may wonder where He is at times in the midst of our struggles and turmoil and why He does..., or doesn't... and when He's going to move...
But the truth is that we actually know where He is - He's right where He's always said that He would be and is - with us and around us, over and above us. He's omnipresent. And we have no right posture other than to trust His perfect wisdom for the answer for any of those other questions we might have for Him. The questions that He might have for us, the ones we need to be able to provide the answers for might be around where we are, what we're doing and what we're saying to Him. While we struggle with uncertain fleeting moments in the face of an eternal lifespan... where are we in relationship to Him?
That's what He's watching and that's what He's listening for. We have needs - but He's already said that He'd answer them. We have struggles and maybe even a crisis - He's already told us that He knows. We may be hungry, fearful, lonely or weary. He's already told us that He'd care for us, that He's our strength, that He'd never leave us and would carry us through. But... where are we? What's He hearing right now? Our God has never broken a promise and He never will. He's doing His part and fulfilling His part of the covenant He made with us. But there are two parts - two sides to a covenant in order for one to exist. Father God is keeping His part of the agreement exactly, without wavering and without any true question. So the only real, possible question is... are we?
We plot and we plan without questioning whether or not our God might be willing, consumed with the business of frail humanity. We tend to focus on our comfort and our need. And like the children that we are under His watchful eye, we do remember to look up when things aren't going the way that we want or when we come to some seemingly overwhelming problem. At times we beg and we plead in seemingly critical moments about things that are humanly impossible - but not at all impossible for our Father. To ask of Him is right and what He expects of us, but what else is He hearing? How often do we remember to just look up with true gratitude for what He's already done and pour it out?
It was a fate that's worse than all other possible human calamities - one even far worse than physical death, that existed in our future. It was waiting to consume us horrifically and not just for the span of a physical human life, but for endless eternity. So our God took it upon Himself, connecting a part of Himself to the physical pain and agony that we would and should have suffered, in order to pay the horrific price that was necessary to redeem us from what we justly deserved. He did it to make it possible for us to become holy and to allow us to enter into the presence of a Holy God and not be destroyed. He felt it all and He overcame it, but He suffered and He felt every bit of what we deserved and that He never did. He willingly suffered it all for us. In light of that, what is He hearing from us now?
Right now, we might be in a little different situation than what we consider normal. There may not be the typical gathering together amongst ourselves that would normally occur at the time that we choose to specially commemorate the event of Christ's rising with more focused attention. This Easter, we may not have all of the special commercial distractions that seem to have found a way to become associated with the occasion. Personally, I think that's a very good thing, because those things really aren't necessary in order to honor God for the enormity of what He's done. We honor Him the most with our acknowledgment, with our sincere love and respect, our gratitude, our obedience, and our true joy at the enormity of our having been redeemed... and none of that requires Easter eggs, rabbits... or even ham.
With all that we could be doing and saying, what we really need to be doing is acknowledging Him along with all that He's already done and just saying... thank you, with a sincere and grateful heart. Those sincere words and actions are ones that play a role in fulfilling something of our part of the deal.
The Lord God Almighty humbled Himself to make a fantastic bargain - a covenant with the beggars that we spiritually were, even though we didn't deserve it. He's already told us in advance what He'll unfailingly do in our moments - that part of the covenant is already a definite certainty. So what's important now are those things that we do to fulfill our part of the bargain in response. Easter celebration wherever we are and whatever our situation may be, really only requires us and Him. It's an important opportunity to fulfill a part of our role in a precious Father/Child relationship. Engage Him sincerely this Easter.
Regardless of what else might be going on around you, please don't let it just pass by. In the chaos of all of the needful requests right now, let your voice be a refreshing one of sincere and joyful thanks to reach His ear for the most significant and eternal grace that mankind could ever receive. A good earthly father's heart is warmed by the adoration and appreciation of his children, how much more cause do we have to warm the heart of our Heavenly Father.
9 "For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News." 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (NLT)
He is risen... ...indeed!
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