Month: December 2011

 

12-7-11 Psalm 119:105-106 Runway lights

My grandson loves to play with flashlights, but he has never needed one to light his path through the dark woods, or through the house when the power has gone out. When he plays with a flashlight, the beam is anywhere and everywhere but at his feet. I have, on the other hand, clenched tightly to my flashlight when walking through the woods at camp, and searched hard when during a storm we are left powerless. A light for my path is very important thing.

As I pondered this text I got the image of a pilot getting ready to land a plane. It has always been comforting to see the runway lights as we approach our destination airport. I have seen footage of unlit airports and the tension is obvious in the flight staff. “Blind” landings can be done, thanks to amazing instrumentation, but it is never desirable.

I’m thankful that God’s word provides light and guidance for our feet and for our journey. There’s no reason or excuse for us to walk blindly in our journey with Him.

 

12-6-11 Psalm 27:1-4 Getting beyond fear

What are you afraid of? I have a whole list of things, but the top two have to be fear of the unknown and fear of failure.

I found it interesting as I was preparing for Christmas one year to look at how many times the participants in that first Christmas were told not to be afraid. We may never be addressed by the heavenly host, but we have fears. We may not wear them on our sleeve, no one may even know what fears gnaw at our heart and keep us from enjoying life to its fullest. No one, but God.

There was a movie several years ago about some grown men, who in an effort to find themselves, go on a cattle drive (City Slickers). They meet up with a gnarly cattle boss who keeps telling them that life is about one thing. Unfortunately, he dies before he can tell them. As believers we too have “one thing” that should drive us, and keeping that goal in sight should dispel our fears. Our one thing is live in God’s presence: dwelling in his house, beholding his beauty, and asking all our questions.

Just now, thinking back over my own fears, I realize that their roots go deep into trust. I imagine that was true for Mary, for Joseph, for the wisemen and shepherds. None of this made sense, not to mention it was being fortold by a scarey and overwhelming angelic army. But God wanted them to rest assured, to trust him in the midst of their doubts and fears. He was in control and totally trustworthy.

What are you facing this Advent season that is causing fear to rise up in you? Hear the voice of God, “Don’t be afraid. I am in control.”

12-4-11 Romans 15:4-13 Waiting patiently

“May the God who gives this patience and encouragement help you live in complete harmony with each other (5a).”

There was a hit song in the 70’s that said something like, “Signs, signs, everywhere signs.  Blockin’ up the scenery, breakin’ my mind.”  At this time of year it’s more like: Lines, lines, everywhere lines.  Blockin’ up the freeway, makin’ me wait.  I do plenty waiting, I’m just not sure I do it very patiently or in any kind of harmony.

I don’t think I’m alone in this.  We want what we want when we want it and that is usually five minutes ago. We are an instant society.  Long live the microwave! The popularity of social media, like twitter and facebook, has infected so much of what we do: say what you need to say in 140 characters or less.  It’s all about my time and my need.  We’re more impatient and ego-centric than a three year old on Christmas eve. 

While some people seem more patient by nature, there are many more of us who struggle with never seeming to have enough.  Even though I find myself in the second category quite often, I’m encouraged by this verse. If I find myself running short on patience, then I need to turn to God who gives patience. 

12-3-11 Isaiah 60:19-22 Everlasting light

Have you noticed that nothing is built to last anymore? Except maybe the Volvo.  I recently saw a commercial where a man walked up to a woman who was carrying a large cup of coffee and he told her to be careful to not spill any of it in his car.  But it was her car.  But it would be his car when she traded it in.  Good thing I drive a Jeep and don’t have to worry about the big stain on the front passenger seat.

Beyond that, things don’t last.  As soon as you purchase most things they are antiquated and doomed for the trash before you ever leave the store.  On Christmas morning we usually place bets as to which toys are going to make it through the day unbroken.  I used to think this was a matter of shoddy workmanship, when in fact it’s more of a marketing tool to get you ready to purchase that item’s replacement.

One of the standard things of this season is Christmas lights.  At the end of every season I should just throw my strands of tree lights out and start fresh the next year because invariably one of the lights burns out making the entire strand useless.  At least the outdoor lights have bulbs that can be replaced, and replace them we do.  One year my husband bought a gross of bubble light replacement bulbs.  That was twenty years ago.  They’re the closest things to everlasting, but even they burn out.

Into our temporary and disposable existence God shines His everlasting light.  The Psalmist tells us that “from everlasting to everlasting” He is God.  There wasn’t a time when God wasn’t and there never will be.  If you want to place a bet on who will be there at the end of the day and everyday after that then bet on God. 

So as you struggle with snarled up strands of lights and hunt for fresh batteries to replace the dead ones, lift a prayer of thanks that the God who made this whole thing possible was, and is, and is to come.

12-2-11 Jeremiah 33:14-16 What’s Your Motto?

Catchy slogans are the brainchildren of marketing geniuses who hope their phrase will stick with you all the way to the cash register.  Think about all the slogans for products you use. Products aren’t the only ones affected by this way of thinking. Organizations are expected to have mission statements that can be reduced down to an eight word catch phrase so that every member can remember what they’re about. 

The chapter our passage comes from clearly describes how God is going to keep His promises and restore the people and their land.  As a result, the people will live by the motto: The Lord is our righteousness.  I’m sure they marched right down to their local Jewish bookstore and purchased buttons, banners, posters, t-shirts, and all kinds of items emblazoned with the phrase.  Their exuberance couldn’t be contained.

Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but they had a motto and they spoke it and lived it. This people would bind things to their wrist, to their forehead, and post them by their doorways so that they wouldn’t forget and so that others would know.   What motto defines your relationship with the God who keeps His promises?  If we were to ask the people who live with and around you or work with you what your motto is would they know?  

Prayer: Ask God to show what His motto for your life is.

12-1-11 John 1:6-9 True light? 

There’s a common phrase, used often when someone has to tell others bad news: don’t shoot the messenger.  Equally as dangerous is becoming enamored with the messenger and missing or forgetting the message. This happens in churches and organizations where the leader becomes the center of attention and allegiance.  Then when that leader leaves, the people feel rejected and have a difficult time adjusting to new leadership.  It borders on a personality cult or worship of the individual .

I sometimes wonder if John the Baptist would have signed up for his role of preparing the way for Jesus if he had known that it was going to be such a short gig and he would end up losing his head. In our function as “light of the world” (see Matthew 5:14) are we more focused on the perks of being light or the beauty of being light, or are we aware that we are pointing to something far greater than ourselves?  Let’s be sure to use our light to shine on Him.  Imagine that you have the role of the star.  The star shone above the place where the baby Jesus lay and drew shepherds and magi to that place.  The star wasn’t looking to be worshiped or given any credit.  It’s job was to point the way, and so is ours.

Prayer: Star light, star bright, that is what I wish to be tonight.  May the light of my life draw others to you these days of Advent.  Amen.