Happily Ever After

I Thessalonians 4:16-18 has been my favorite passage of scripture since I first heard it at 8 or 9 years of age. There was something beautifully poetic and victorious about those verses. I memorized them quickly and quoted them often; quoted them to myself many times just for the reminder that He is coming for me.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

I have realized this week just what it is that I find so mesmerizing in this passage. It's the ultimate story-book ending. The King comes for the princess and takes her to his home; the home that he has prepared just for her.

Every little girl has dreamed of the fairy-tale happy ending of life at some point in her childhood. Even as women we still long for the grand story. It is created within us. It is the image of God that we bear upon our hearts; creativity, beauty and romance. Yes, our God is all of that. He is romantic, beautifully creative and the grandest of all story-tellers.

He calls to our hearts. He woos us unto himself because he wants to give us the BIG ending. He wants to give us a beautiful story in life. He wants to be our King and He wants to rescue us!

Not always do our circumstances appear to be beautifully orchestrated toward a happy ending. Acts chapter 7 tells the story of Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power who did great wonders and miracles among the people. The end of Stephen's earthly life-story was to become the churches first martyr. He was viciously stoned to death.

We don't always understand God's plan, but we can trust His heart. For what I notice the most in Stephen's story is in verse 55 of chapter 7, But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

May I suggest to you that the Holy Spirit opened heaven to Stephen's view for the sole purpose of seeing Jesus. So that Stephen could see that his Savior was not a bored by-stander sitting on his Kingly throne, but a King so in love with His subject that He stands because He is involved in what is happening. He stands, anxious for that moment when he will relieve Stephen of his suffering and welcome him enthusiastically into an eternity of rest and face-to-face communion.

So after reading Stephen's story, I now see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 in a whole new light. What I see is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Prince of heaven, God's Son who is seated at His right hand with power and authority, "the Lord HIMSELF will descend from heaven." He is not sending His angels or mighty army for me, He is coming for me HIMSELF. My first face-to-face meeting with my King will be in the air. And He will take me to his home, to a place He has prepared just for me personally, where I will live forever in unbroken fellowship with Him.

We serve a King who loves us so much that He Himself came to rescue us when He came as a baby 2,000 years ago. We serve a King who loves us so much that He Himself will come to rescue us and take us home...any moment now. And we will live happily ever after! Who says God doesn't love a story-book ending?

Clay

Awestruck anew today to think that "we have this treasure in jars of clay"; that He, the Potter who is the pearl of great price, worthy of heavenly palaces of silver and gold would choose to dwell within and live through us....flawed, broken vessels of mere clay.

In love He chooses to re-mold the clay not leaving it in the marred condition in which it was found. Faithfully, the Potter works and painfully smashes the stoney places of our hearts, re-working the clay over and over again.

And "shall the clay tell the Potter what to do or where to work?" No. We must simply wait upon Him. In essence, sit still like a lump of clay. No matter how painful to us nor how painstakingly slow the process may seem, "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to carry out to completion" until we are the vessel He meant for us to be, fit for use in the Master Potter's hand.

Then the clay will sing the Potter's praise and glorify Him throughout eternity!

The Healer

Unclean. Diseased. Shamed. Humiliated. Ostracized.

Not the life she had envisioned for herself, by any means. When she was a small child, twirling in front of her Papa, she was beautiful; life was full of love and laughter. Her dreams were filled with romance, a loving husband and a home full of children. But dreams fade and life changes. Where once there was love and laughter, now there is only the slow plodding of time, alone…and unclean.

It’s been 12 years now. Twelve years with “an issue of blood.“ 12 years. 4,380 days. 105,120 hours. 6,307,200 minutes. She had counted every minute, marked off every day. She had reached out so often in that time, looking for something, anything that would heal her. She spent all of the money she had on doctor after doctor, yet she only grew worse. She is now at the end of her rope. All of her efforts have failed and she remains diseased -- unclean.

It was at the market in the heat of the day that she overheard someone say he would be passing through town. She had heard rumors of him. Perhaps today she would see him. Perhaps today he would see her. And maybe, just maybe, everything they said about him was true. And, if what they said of him was indeed true, today she would be healed. She knew it in the deepest part of her soul. He was the one. He was the only one who could heal her. He would make her clean. She thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” (Mark 5:28)

Weak and frail, she pressed through the crowd determined to touch Jesus. Heart pounding, filled with joy and fear she pushes on; not wanting to be noticed, but wanting to be healed…to be whole again. The crowd is crushing and the noise is overwhelming as many call out to him, “Son of David; Messiah; healer!” The thought of being clean, unashamed, and no longer an outcast moves her to press on.

And then he was there, passing the place where she stood. She pushed her arm between the two burly men in front of her and she touched him. Her fingertips barely brushed the edge of his clothes. One brief swish of fabric, and immediately the bleeding stopped. The smallest, almost imperceptible, touch at the edge of his garment, and she was suddenly healed. At the moment she touched him, he turned toward where she stood in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”, his eyes scanning the multitude of people looking for the one who had touched him.

I believe Jesus knew exactly who had touched him. He knew from the beginning of time that she would be there in the crowd that day. He knew her name. He knew the color of her hair, her height, her weight and everything about her. Most importantly, he knew her heart. He could have continued on his way. He could have ignored her and chalked it up to one more healing miracle among many. But he looked for her and waited for her to come to him.

The Bible says she knew exactly what had happened to her and she fell before him trembling with fear - telling him the whole truth. Knowing the magnitude of mercy and grace bestowed upon her in this miracle, she fell before him confessing all. I believe her fear was a reverential trust in the one who had just made her clean and whole. And what does Jesus say to her? “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”(Mark5:34)

What a beautiful picture of salvation! We can come to him in our sinful filth, fall before him confessing all, with nothing but the tiniest bit of faith; and in that encounter we can be healed, freed from our suffering - made whole!

The Savior is looking for you. His eyes are scanning the crowd. He knows your name, your heart and everything about you. He thinks you are beautiful. He thinks you are worth the effort…and he is waiting for you to come to him. In faith, reach out to him. You too will be made clean and whole. “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.” (Mark 5:36

Draw Me Nearer

O Lord, draw me nearer, for apart from you I can do nothing. Unless you draw me - call to my heart - nothing within me would ever seek that sweet place beneath your cross, at your feet, hidden in Christ, covered by His blood, and robed in His righteousness.

O Lord, draw me nearer. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Let me hear your beautiful voice in prayer for me, singing over me and whispering in my ear, "This is the way; walk here." (Isaiah 30:21)

O Lord, draw me nearer. Pull me into your embrace. Keep me close to your side. May my eyes be fixed upon yours, in a tender communion that needs no words. In the stillness of that intimate moment, hear my heart of praise as I sing my love to You.

O Lord, draw me nearer and may I ever abide in You, for I delight to dwell in your shade...under the banner of your love. (Song of Songs 2:3,4) Here, tucked away and hidden in you, I will obey your commands and joyfully remain, as you prune and cut away those areas of my life that would hinder the bearing of much fruit for your glory.(from John 15:10,11)

O Lord, draw me nearer that my lips may overflow with praise. May I sing of your great love forever; (and) make known your faithfulness to all generations. Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD -- that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.(from Psalm 119:171, 89:1, 83:18)

O Sovereign Lord, draw me nearer that I may live!

Twilight

I’ve often said that sunrise with the Father is my favorite time of day. And it is! But there is something about the early stages of evening that stirs my soul. My spirit is comforted most at that time of day when all the world begins to shade itself in ever-deepening colors of blue and settle down for rest. The sound of “Zee-er” bugs (locusts) in the trees and the sight of fire-flies in the yard gives me a feeling of homesickness.

At that time when street lights come on and house windows turn golden with light, I love imagining that behind each bright pane of glass is a happy loving family. Such were the summer evenings of my childhood. We watched for the street lights and listened for Dad’s call. Those were the signs that it was time to go home. Work was done for the day. Dinner was over and the dishes were done. We children were bathed and in pajamas. All was clean, and ready to end the day.

Especially sweet to me are the memories of evenings with my grandparents. The last event of the day was watching the news and weather forecast while Grandpa explained to you what it all meant for this year’s wheat or alfalfa crop. In the background were the sounds made by Grandma’s bustling about to ready your room and bed. Everything just right. Cool blue sheets without a wrinkle in sight. Fluffy marshmallow pillows. Overhead lighting turned off and bedside lamps turned on. The whole house magically became a beautiful, comforting, sweet smelling place of rest.

Just now I’m listening to the “Zee-er” bugs, the crickets and a couple of bull-frogs. I hear a Dad calling his children home for the night. Two little boys whoosh past me on bicycles as they rush to be home by curfew. There is an elderly couple on their porch talking in low murmurs about their day; and in the distance I hear the calliope music of the ice-cream truck making it’s final rounds. Very soon now it will all be quiet and everyone will be safely at home.

The stars in the heavens are beginning to shine now. Bright, golden, comforting, twinkling, magical lights. Thousands and thousands of them. Windows into heaven? I like to think so. Can you see them? Behind them is a home filled with love. Do you hear that sound? It’s the bustling about of the Father and Son preparing a place just for us. Making it just right. Inhale deeply. Can you smell that sweet aroma of praise that surrounds them? Can you feel the love and comfort and rest awaiting we who are His children?

It’s time to finish up work. Watch for the signs. Don’t miss it. Very soon now the Father will turn to the Son and say, “Go call the children. It’s time to bring them home.” And the family will all be safely at home and at rest.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command…and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever!” I Thessalonians 4:16-17

“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Trustworthy

"Life is about relationships, the rest is just details. ...You have a relationship with yourself....may be that sounds, self-centered. And it is to some extent. But as with all relationships, it's all about balance. It is unhealthy to be too focused on your relationship to yourself..However, it is just as unhealthy to belittle, dismiss, or ignore yourself.

Do you have a healthy, dynamic relationship with yourself? Are you on good terms? Do you think of yourself as important? Do you like yourself? Do you accept yourself? Do you forgive yourself? Do you take care of yourself?

In each of us lies something of staggering worth & value-yet that something is very vulnerable, easily damaged or devalued. When we treat someone in a way that shows we recognize both their incredible value & their vulnerability, we demonstrate our trustworthiness. Be trustworthy with others! Be trustworthy with yourself!"

(Gary Smalley, excerpts from 'The DNA of Relationships')

Freedom in the journey

Another crutch has painfully been removed. The last one? Probably not. I’ve discovered that there are lots of them. I’ve kept them stacked in the corners of my life and pulled each one out when needed. Some of those crutches were people, some were dreams and hopes, and some were inanimate objects. All of them I thought necessary to maintain the ability to walk through life.

This particular crutch I leaned upon quite heavily. How did I become so dependent upon it? When did it become so intrinsic to me? When did I pick it up? I don’t remember. I realize now that my walk was a little off balance, a little a-kilter, and skewed to one side. Walking with that crutch had become such a way of life that I no longer noticed it at my side. It was like a part of me and I felt quite comfortable with it under my arm, supporting me on the road of life.

My Savior allowed me to carry and lean upon that crutch; all the while whispering to me, “I can take that and you can lean on me instead. I can help you walk upright again and I’ll walk beside you through it all.” What a precious, precious Savior! Never chiding me for carrying the crutch. Never belittling me for my ignorance in thinking I needed the crutch. Never pushing or demanding that I give up the crutch. Always gently reminding me, “…take MY yoke…my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Let‘s trade.”

At some point recently He began walking ahead of me and placing objects in my path; objects meant to be difficult, but only when using my crutch. These objects along my journey began to make me uncomfortable with my crutch. I became frustrated with the rocks and obstructions on the road. I realized that I could only easily navigate if I laid the crutch down. But in my stubbornness I crawled over and around the obstacles, clutching my crutch, trying to prove to Him that it was necessary to me. I arrived on the other side of each stumbling-block bruised, battered, bloody and desperately clinging to the only thing causing my difficulty. He would lovingly pick me up, dust me off, set me on my feet, bathe and dress my wounds and we’d set out together again.

I began to pay attention to those times when my crutch caused me pain and finally grew tired of the struggle. Realizing it was the source of my discomfort, I turned to my Savior and asked Him to take it. I painfully lifted the arm that had been holding it so tightly and He slowly and gently removed it.

He graciously allowed me to cry and grieve the loss of my crutch before we began to move on. He placed one arm around me and the other beneath the now crutch-less arm and we began walking together. I find that I have no strength in that area where I had leaned upon my crutch. I do not remember how to walk without it and I am very dependent upon His support now, which is as it should be.

I have His undivided attention. He watches each step I take, much like a father holds the back of a bicycle while his child is riding on training wheels. We journey on together. He removes obstacles from my path, for now, until I have regained my strength and can walk easily beside Him. Eventually I’ll find that I'm walking upright again and we are hand-in-hand on this road. I know that if I stumble, He’ll pick me up. When I’m weak and weary, He’ll let me lean on Him again. What freedom there is now that the crutch-burden is gone!

What is your burden? What is your crutch? What is it that He lovingly asks you to give to Him? Is it a person you depend upon for happiness, a habit that numbs your pain, the desire to own "things" mistakenly thinking they validate your worth, or a dream that does not fall within His plan for your life? Whatever it is, give it to Him! He longs for you to experience the freedom and joy of walking without the added burden of the crutch you really never needed at all! "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

"O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me…You turned my mourning into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!” (Psalm 30:2,11-12)