Seeking the Light

 Today we got the message from Dylan's Middle School that it will not reopen for in person attendance until January 11th ... big "if" implied.  Dylan did not like to hear that news.  Believe it or not, he enjoys going to school.  He detests online learning.  He was counting the days to get back to face-to-face on December 14th as they had anticipated.  So hearing about the postponement brought up darkness to his heart.

So, in order to cheer him up, we decided it was a good day to have them set up the kids' tree.  We have been collecting Christmas ornaments since they were born...so now we have enough to fill up a nice, big tree.  Once a year, the two brothers work together, side-by-side, if only one time without much fight, hanging ornaments, reminiscing and recalling why they got that particular piece on that year.  They laugh and make fun of each other when they find the curiously odd ones, like the Elvis Dylan got in 2018 or the rhinoceros she got last year.  All in all, kids' tree day is usually a good day...a day of merry and bright...a day to forget darkness and seek the light.

In this world of catastrophe, trial, sadness, loneliness, pandemic, isolation, political debacle, corruption, idolatry and instability, we must be people who seek the Light at all cost.  As Christians, we must remember that the Light shines in the darkness and that darkness has not and will not ever overcome it.  (John 1: 5)  As followers of Jesus, we need to be aware that the Light has dawned in the land of the shadow of death, a Great Light, indeed, that breaks through and defeats all the dark spots around us. (Matthew 4: 16)  And we must hang on to the truth that such Light is as real now as He was when He first touched the ground as a man, a couple of thousands of years ago,

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

This Advent Season let's be seekers of the Light so the world can shine again, and fear may disappear.  Let's seek His Light in the faces of those who walk with us.  Let's seek it in the random acts of kindness and pass it forward.  Let's seek it in the ordinary days and in the special moments.  Let's be intentional as we seek the Light so we can find it in the awareness of the instant.

May the Holy Spirit allow us to have the strength to turn our back to the comfort we often find in the darkness, and shake off its cover so we can wholeheartedly seek the Light of His Presence, the Light of Life.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

Dylan and Grant hanging their ornaments in the Kids' Tree

Seeking His Love

 I've never been one of those persons who goes wild about animals.  I was perfectly content living most of my life without any furry companions. It wasn't until about 6 years ago that we got our very first family pet.  And to me, Link, our cute little Cockapoo, is my very, very first.  I grew up afraid of dogs, actually...so it took me 20 years of marriage and 2 boys begging for one to finally say yes to a dog.

Today, Link is my faithful companion, especially now that I've been working from home...he is my buddy, always sitting by my feet.  I think he does love me.  He follows me everywhere around the house.  He looks sad when I leave and he seems to rejoice when I come back.  I think he genuinely loves me.  That is so hard to believe...how could he love me?  I am not really lovable.  I'm not a warm-touchy-feely-fuzzy-wuzzy-lovey-dovey type of person.  I'm more of a distant-detached-boring-no fus type of pet owner/person. But for some reason, Link seems to feel a strong attachment toward me.  

It is fascinating.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I am seriously attached to Link too.  Much to my surprise, that dog has stolen a piece of my heart.  But, I often wonder how dogs sense love.  They don't seem to need many manifestations of it to grow attached to a person.  How does that work?  I think about me as a human being, and I realize that I am very needy.  I am very sensitive to those around me and I need to know they love me.  I need visible manifestations of their love toward me in order for me to feel at peace.  I believe I'm not the only human who is like that either.  Even in a house with 3 boys, they let me know when they are feeling neglected by me.  They seek constant reassurance of my affection.  If I were to yell at Grant the way I sometimes yell at Link, his soul would shatter in a million pieces...but Link seems unaffected...how's that possible?  I think dogs have developed some sort of sixth sense that allows them to perceive affection even if it is not fully/outwardly demonstrated...I'm totally making this up, but I'll run with it...LOL! 

For humans, feeling loved is a most profound need.  Without love, we get messed up.  And for importantly, for us to feel loved, it requires a clear perception.  How often do we have misconceptions of whether others love us or not?  How often de we NOT feel loved? Sigh...

God knows this.  He created us to love and to be loved.  Therefore, we are commanded to do just that.  When asked what the greatest commanded was, Jesus replied:

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 37-40

God knows that without love, we are empty vessels.  He also knows that often, life doesn't unfold the way we had hoped...so...as Christians, we are to help fill the void of loneliness in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Our first love is God; but right afterwards is our fellow humans.  We are supposed to be the material manifestations of God's love for each other while on this Earth.  By becoming the hands and feet of The Heavenly Father here in the world, we bring His love with us so people around us do not feel abandoned...we cannot manage life without the warmth of love...so, as the Holy Spirit overflows our cup, we must remember to spill out on those around us.

The problem is that sometimes we don't feel that love ourselves...how can we give what we don't have, right? That's why this Advent Season I want to seek the evidence of God's love as I love Him with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind...so I can receive His love as I love Him...so I can pour it out in His Name. And, since He loved us first, I enter this seeking already knowing I am dearly loved by Him.

As I seek His Love, I want to remember, that not much unlike Link, I don't need to have the fuzzy-wuzzy-lovey-dovey manifestations of God's love in order to rest assured that He does love me, so much, as to send His Only Son to die for me, so I could believe and have the promise of an eternity with Him.  I really do not need any more proof, do I? But, I know, that in seeking Him, I won't be able to help finding more evidence of the constancy and abundance of His love.  In the Precious Name of Jesus, the Lover of Our Souls.  Amen!

Seeking Discernment

 I've been reading through the book of 2 Kings, and let me tell you... after King David... the entire procession of Kings of Israel, which at some point became divided into the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah, was full of kings who "did evil in the eyes of the Lord." Only a handful, Josiah mainly, was one of the very few who wholeheartedly decided to come back to the Almighty and follow His commands.  The rest...sigh...

I cannot believe how, the Israelites, who walked with God, got the law handed down to them through Moses, had manna from heaven, had the Arc of the Covenant and all the prophets...could forget the Lord and just do evil and fall under persistent idolatry...how is that possible? Easily: they were human beings...weak in spirit, forgetful, frivolous, selfish, self-servient, seekers of pleasure, fallen human beings...just like us.

It's funny how we tend to pass harsh judgement on the Israelites; but think so highly of ourselves.  "Yeah, but they had the Pillar of Light, and the Burning Bush, and the word of the prophets! How could they walk away from God?" We'd say these things...not realizing that we, who have inherited the entire revelation of God in Scripture, have the Holy Spirit, God with Us as our Counselor and Divine Helper, the very Presence of God in our soul, still...do the same.

We are just like the Israelites of long ago.  We trample on the very blessings that should speak loudly of God's Unending Love...and kick Him out of our lives, seeking to worship other gods...mainly those made at our own image.

How could we do that?

I don't know.  Maybe we get too comfortable in our wealth.  Perhaps, we get too cocky on our accomplishments.  Pride takes over and our vision gets clouded and our hearing becomes impaired.  Mostly, I think, it is because we lose our ability to discern and we forget to seek Him first.

Today, I pray the Holy Spirit would give me a special awareness of His Presence and direct guidance so I can choose to search Jesus this Advent Season...I pray for discernment of His Word and His Commands.  I pray that He would allow us to find Him even in the midst of this crazy world and society.  And that we may not forget that He is the center of our lives.  I pray these things trusting Jesus will give us another chance and cover us with His Grace and Forgiveness.  In His Precious Name.  Amen!

Seeking Awareness of His Presence

 Today's devotional reading took me to Genesis 28 when Isaac had blessed Jacob and told him not to marry a Canaanite woman, but to go to his Mother's ancestors and find one there.  Jacob went on his way, but when nighttime fell, he decided to stop and sleep, with his head resting on a stone as a pillow.-I don't know about you, but using a rock as a pillow does not equate to restful sleep in my book...maybe that had something to do with the dream Jacob had that night...mmh...I wonder if God wanted Jacob in a state of semi-consciousness so the vision would not be confused just with a large, Chipotle-burrito-supreme-induced nightmare...however, I digress.-

This scene has a proclamation made by Jacob that I want to claim as my own.  When he woke up after having that wonderful Stairway to Heaven vision of a dream, Jacob pondered on what he saw and on the Word that he heard from God stating that He will be with him and watch over him wherever he'd go.  At that, he proclaimed:  

“Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” Genesis 28: 16

How many times have I forgotten this reality?  Why do I lose awareness of it? How often do I go through life without remembering that the presence of the Lord is in this place...and in every place I go to because He goes with me wherever I go...because He is in me.  Therefore, every place is, indeed, "awesome" because I am...we are...every believer is "none other than the house of God...the gate of heaven." (Genesis 28: 17)

Today, I want to seek inside of my heart and of my mind and of my soul to find the truth of this proclamation and to seek awareness of Emanuel, God with me.

I want to seek the presence of God this Christmas season with all I've got.  I want to see God's presence in every circumstance and in every place.  I want to feel God's hand guiding me every step of the way.  I want to keep my eyes focused on His face as I seek evidence of how the Lord is in every place I go.

May the Advent season be a time to search for awareness of God's presence in our lives and to make Jacob's proclamation our own...for, surely, the Lord is in this place and we are standing at the gate of heaven.  In Jesus' precious Name.  Amen!

 

Seeking for the Inner Child

 The sky is blue with puffy clouds and the sun is shining!  What a beautiful day!  There's still snow on the ground, true, but...as long as the sky is blue, I'm OK.  Besides, the snow gives the environment a "christmassy feel" that I love, so, I'm good to go!  In days like today I feel the childhood enthusiasm of the little girl that grew up in a tropical paradise, many years ago...anticipating the holidays and the magic of December.  The end of the calendar year also brought in extra excitement for me as a young person in Panama because it was also the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation...sigh...what a delight!

Needless to say, days for a child waiting for Christmas and summer vacation combined were filled with carefree bliss and a sense of whimsy that permeated every minute.  

I long for that child...where did she go?

Life has a way to making the inner child disappear from our hearts, leaving only memories that are not part of our reality anymore.  Today, however, I want to reclaim that child, even if just for a moment.  I want to seek the little girl I know is still hiding in me and bring her to the forefront of my life if only for a day.  After all, Jesus Himself spoke to this matter, right?  In Matthew 18, when His disciples came to Him and asked Him who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus responded by calling a little child to His side to give an object lesson:

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18: 2-3

It is clear, through Jesus' words, that in order to be a part of His Kingdom, we must reclaim the inner child in us.  The question is, how?

What is a little child like?  Whiny? Irrational? Selfish? Demanding? Helpless? If you'd ask me, I'd answer yes to all these questions.  That's what the world sees a child to be like.  But I don't believe those are the child-like characteristics that Jesus is referring to as those we need to reflect in us.  I think Jesus is talking about the essence of being a little child:  a constant sense of wonder...a heart that trusts...a soul that is innocent and that makes faith possible because it has room to believe!

The little girl standing on the backyard on a sunny day of December closing her eyes as she enjoyed the soft caress of the early summer breeze could tell you that she believed!  She had unshakable faith in the goodness of a God who gave her more blessings that she could have ever imagined.  She could tell you how she marveled at God's gifts even if they did not materialized in the ways she'd dreamed.  She could tell you how the warmth of the sunshine and the grass under her feet made her feel beloved...and how that was all she'd ever need.

I'm seeking for that little girl today...and I'm hoping to find her as I unwind after a hard year...I'm hoping to find her as I turn my eyes upon Jesus and I'm hoping to find her as I seek Him first.

May the Holy Spirit guide us as we search for the inner child that will enter the Kingdom of God.  In Jesus' Precious Name.  Amen!

Seeking Wisdom in Times of Public Trial

 As I am about to enter what probably would end up being the scariest meeting of my professional life, I am reminded of a verse from Scripture that was brought up to my attention by one of my prayer warriors last night when I asked for prayers.  The verse is Matthew 10: 20,

for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

I went to Matthew 10 and realized that these words were spoken by Jesus Himself as part of the instructions He gave the twelve when He sent them to become His messengers, His Apostles, to preach His gospel to the lost sheep of Israel.  

I read through the chapter and I see how Jesus warns them that they would encounter trouble as they fulfill this mission.  He told them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. (Matthew 10: 16-17) and, o boy...that is exactly how I am feeling today...like a sheep among wolves...and thank goodness, the meeting is on Zoom...otherwise, I would be fearing a flogging too (I wonder if they have invented an App for virtual flogging...o no!!!)

This is why what I seek today is the Lord's wisdom.

I am praying for wisdom this morning, seeking His Word and trusting that He will stand with me in this meeting, and that, indeed, I will not have to "worry about what to say or how to say it" for He is assuring me that "at that time, I will be told what to say," for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

I know that the meeting I have this morning is not the same situation of the Apostles who were sent out by Jesus to spread the Good News of His Kingdom.  I am aware my circumstances are very different.  However, as I seek His wisdom today, I am claiming these words of Jesus as a promise to me, and to all who seek Him in their hour of public trial.  I am trusting that all He said to His Apostles back then, He is saying to me this morning...and I am praising Him for those He has placed in my life to walk along with me on the hard roads of this valley of shadow...I'm praising Him for the gift of their friendship and guidance.

And above all, I'm praising God for His Word and thanking Him for His wisdom.  In the Precious Name of Jesus, My Lord, My Savior, My Deliverer.  Amen!

The Seeker

You know how when people in a household unsuccessfully look for something they've momentarily lost, there's always someone they instinctively go to because they know/sense/feel that person would be able to find it for them?  And, by the same token...there's also usually someone who always keeps losing things and can't ever find them without enlisting the help of the others?  Well...in my household, I am traditionally the one people call when they are having trouble finding things...although...depending on what the "thing" is...Grant is becoming a really good finder upper too.  And...without naming any names, there are a couple of members of this household who play the roles of loser-uppers very well.  However... to be fair... I do my share of losing, and when that happens...chaos ensues.

As the Advent season enters the scene, I would like to dedicate it to purposefully and fully embracing my role of a "seeker".  I want to seek the things I'm afraid I've lost.  I want to seek and find what I've lost sight of.  I want to find the presents God has given me and I've forgotten to unwrap.  And most of all, I want to remember how my first role needs to be that of the seeker of His Face.

I know I will be extremely busy this Christmas season, and I want to resolve not to let the distractions keep me away from seeking Him first!

I know I will be distressed due to many work-related issues that are coming my way, but I don't want to allow those trials and tribulations to stop me from staying still and seeking His Presence.

I want to remember that He is My Hope and My Deliverer.

And I want to make sure I seek His Peace, and remember His Word:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3: 22-26

Dear Lord, please carry us through this Advent Season with a heart full of hope, seeking Your Presence to find Your Peace embraced by Your Love.  May we always remember that "Great is Thy Faithfulness," indeed.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!