On the Porch with Isaiah 42

Once again, it's been a while...

Sitting outside on my front porch on this gorgeous Saturday morning. Birds are chirping, and the sun is beginning to beat down on one side of my body. The world is still moving slowly. People are just beginning to stir and make their plans for the day.

It makes me think of how God plans the days ahead... As people, we all have different ways of making plans. Some of us are impulsive and spontaneous. We thrive on the adventure of not knowing where we our next step lies. Some of us are methodical and carefully plan each of our days, and not just today. We have our entire lives planned according to what makes the most sense and what we most desire so that the unknown can never threaten to induce a negative response from us. Some of us believe in serendipity, that life is just a series of fortunate accidents. We know we can't succeed at planning every aspect of our lives, but we also don't trust that some higher power is directing the course of our lives.

I don't pretend to know why people think so differently. And, I don't pretend to know precisely how our choices and God's plans interact. What I do know is that God is not sitting by watching this world fall to pieces and our lives unravel one thread at a time no matter how much or little we plan. He is God (creator, all-powerful) and Lord (personal, covenantal) who both "created the heavens and stretched them out" and "gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it" (Isaiah 42:5). He is an active God and a warrior. "The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal" (Isaiah 42:13). He chose us and cares for us. "I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you." (Isaiah 42:6) And, most gracious of all, he sent His Son whom He called "my chosen, in whom my soul delights." He had a plan to "establish justice" and "lead the blind" and "turn the darkness before them into light" and "bring out prisoners from the dungeon." He set the stage of the world and never took His eyes off it. He had a solution when men and women chose to walk away from His loving protection. He was on a mission, and He was willing to give up what was most precious to Him.

....And he wants us to be a part of that mission - "a light to the nations."

So, if you are thinking through your plans for the day and for your life, rest assured that God's thinking too, but He has no doubt or hesitation. If you have your plans for the next ten years all laid out, stop and see how they fit into God's mission. What does your willingness or unwillingness to follow Him say about your desire to be united with Him?

There is something so comforting about resting in God's plans and having a heart that is one with His. Can you imagine if someone was planning to propose to you and you weren't cooperating? This guy you claim to love and spend all this time with has prepared the most extravagant of dates and all he asks is that you enjoy His company and follow His lead for the evening. If you put up a fight or complained about the restaurant or brought up some previous argument you had had or even just showed up sloppily dressed, wouldn't that taint the beauty of what he was about to do for you? Or, what if you knew it was coming, and you wanted to make sure it happened just so, and you told him? Wouldn't your joy in the moment be less because you knew what was coming? Or, wouldn't your disappointment be heightened if he decided to go against your wishes, even if it was for your own good? Worst of all, what if marriage wasn't even on your radar, particularly marriage with him? He professes his love and desire to be united to you in every way, and you tell him you're just not that interested. What had you been doing all that time with him?

These are just a few thoughts. The analogy is certainly not perfect. Just reflecting on Isaiah 42 this morning and the Lord's plans, purposefulness, faithfulness, presence, and care.

The Sunrise Shall Visit Us

I read this beautiful passage of Scripture this morning and just had to share!

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:76-79

The child is John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Jesus is the sunrise, giving light to those of us who sit in the darkness, in the shadow of death. The imagery is incredible. As I sat on my floor, meditating on these verses, I considered this devotional I had just read about confession. It talked about how we often think we have no control over our thoughts, and the sinful ones begin to eat away at our hearts. When we are in this state of mind, we are in the darkness. Even if we know Jesus, we are wasting away in the shadows of death, from which He rescued us. We are free and yet, in our laziness and desire for comfort, we choose to sit in these dark places.

Confession is the door out into the sunshine. My thoughts may be cloudy and dark, and I see no way out, but as soon as I name my thoughts for what they are (sin), Jesus offers me a way out into His peace.

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:5-10

Our thoughts are powerful. Our thoughts cannot save us, as some people think. Even if we train our minds to think positively, apart from Christ our thoughts will still naturally tend toward a dark, twisted path. Jesus alone can save. Jesus can transform our thoughts. We have only to confess, and His peace will come.

Joy

My friend Allyson recently shared this quote from C.S. Lewis - "God cannot give us happiness apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."

This quote struck me because I often find myself wishing for happiness or attempting to stir the emotion within myself. I place myself on the beach, my favorite place on earth, and wait for happiness to descend on me. When it doesn't, I start to despair. I even pray to God for additional things that I believe will make me happy. I tell him what I don't like about my situation. When I am unhappy, God and I are in constant conversation.

And then, I read this verse: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thess. 5:16-18

Bam. Conviction. Even though, in the midst of the unhappiness, I feel like I am praying without ceasing, I am not rejoicing. And, of all the many prayers I pray, I do not pray for joy. I expect happiness to rain down upon me, and then I will run off and be free of this constant dependence on God. What a fool I am! This is God the Father that I approach with all my complaints. He reigns over every person, every family, and every situation. This is the God who promises "strength through His Spirit in your inner being" (Eph 3:16) and the God who allows us to "know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph 3:19). This is the God who is "able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). And still, I do not pray for the one thing I desperately need, one of the things God explicitly wills for me, the one thing that would allow me to be a light to those around me - that is, joy.

This morning, I ask for it, above all my other wishes. I do not seek happiness apart from the Father. I never want to be free of my need for Him or free of the trials that throw me into His arms.

I do have much to be thankful for and many blessings in my life, but even if all of these were stripped away, I could still have joy. I would have the Lord.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Protection

"Protection" is a sensitive topic. We all long, whether secretly or openly, for protection. We desire protection from physical harm, from heartache, from financial strain, from verbal abuse, and the list goes on. Unfortunately, so often we are not protected. People take advantage of us. People purposefully wound us. There are no jobs available, and our bank accounts are running low. The news channels remind us of how many evil people there are running around, willing and wanting to do us harm. People we need to love us are absent, physically or emotionally.

For me, often when I don't feel protected, I help myself feel better by saying that I don't need to be protected. If I am alone and don't feel safe, I tell myself I am perfectly capable of defending myself. I don't need the protection of a stronger presence beside me.

If emotionally I don't feel protected, I tell myself that I am strong enough to withstand any jabs at my heart or anyone toying with my heart. I tell myself I have a strong stomach and won't get sick from the constant ups and downs and twists and turns of the roller coaster of emotions.

If financially I don't have my safety net of a padded savings, I tell myself that I will somehow pay the bills. No emergency will pop up unannounced and demand all of my non-existent money.

To admit that I desire protection in the absence of it is too humbling for my prideful nature. There are moments when I simply cannot protect myself. I can brace myself for the blow. I can give myself these speeches about everything being okay, but they are really just a cover up for the need I feel.

Recently, I have felt my own vulnerability in a few different areas - emotionally, physically, and financially. I literally can only do so much to protect myself, and the rest of myself that is left vulnerable is reliant on someone else for protection. That someone else can be a person or it can be the Lord. I think I have learned over the years to rely on the Lord, but relying on another person is SO hard for me. I have found myself in tears because I have had to rely on the grace and consideration of another person. And, really, honestly, I don't rely on the Lord with absolute dependence. I would rather come to Him with no fear, with all my ducks in a row, with no need for His help. When I feel myself crying out to Him for protection, it wounds my pride.

That's a good thing. My pride needs to take a blow. The house built on the sand of my own strength and confidence needs to crumble.

"For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust. The foot tramples on it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy." Isaiah 26:5-6

"The poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:6-7

I think sometimes the Lord pulls my sense of security out from under me so that I am forced to fall into His arms and acknowledge His greatness and might.

"Love each other with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10

God has commanded that, as brothers and sisters, we love each and outdo one another in showing honor. So, when people do honor me by protecting me, I should not mourn over my wounded pride but instead I should be filled with gratitude. They have been obedient to the Lord, and they have defended me when I could not defend myself.

So, thank you Lord and thank you, my brothers and sisters. If I don't say my thanks genuinely in the moment, it's because I'm stumbling over my hurt pride and struggling for words that would admit my need for you.

Send Some Rain

Sometimes (often for me), God speaks through poetry. The Psalms are the most obvious example, but I also think God can speak through literature, songs, and the poetry in nature. Last night, a friend of mine sat down at my electric upright piano and began playing a song from memory - "Gratitude" by Nicole Nordeman. The piano music is gorgeous in and of itself, but these particular lyrics spoke to me:

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

These lyrics reminded me of a day recently when my spirit was under a storm cloud. I trusted the Lord in the midst of the sorrow. I was more thankful than ever for His nearness. I had been feeling dry spiritually, and I knew that it was because I was clinging too much to happiness, which is only temporary. The next day, the Lord reminded me that my life's purpose is to glorify Him, not to achieve happiness. So, really, I might be sad and that might be His will because it means my character is growing stronger for His purposes. (Romans 8:28, James 1:2-4). 

And yet, in that day of deep sorrow (it was a familiar place for me, but it had been a while since I had been there), all I wanted was the Lord's nearness (Psalm 73:26,28). I knew I could not remain in this place forever, but I also knew God could teach me in the midst of the feelings.

When it started raining - not a drizzle, but a downpour with thunder and lightning, the kind of storm that drives people indoors - I thanked God for answering a prayer I hadn't even asked. "Send some rain...cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again...Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down. Surely you can see that we are thirsty and afraid." I was lightheaded from laying out in the sun of happy days for too long. I was high on life (not a bad state of being if I am laying every blessings back at the Lord's feet). But, I was dry. I didn't want him to take away what he took away, but oh how lovely the rain felt on my thirsty soul. 

"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?" - Psalm 56:8

As I listened to the rain and remained sheltered away from the storm, I had this sense of God crying with me or pouring out these tears of mine that He had stored in a bottle. Physically it was raining to remind me of His compassion and mercy and to stir me to gratitude, to love for my Savior (Hero, Husband, Maker, Redeemer), to a movement forward into His purposes for me. 

Sometimes, the rain doesn't come. The rain is a gift, not guaranteed in times of thirst. But, the lesson is always there. Most importantly, God is always there, maybe silent but not absent. 

"This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me. I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." - Psalm 56:10-13

Recipes and Photographs

I feel restless. I know I ought to be cleaning, packing, or budgeting, but instead I'm baking, browsing, and writing. You should know first that I am making this incredible pound cake, the recipe for which I can take no credit for. My friend Audrey, who is a woman of many talents and also shares my love for English literature, gave it to me. And now I will give it to you, certain that it will brighten your day whenever you choose to whip together these sinful ingredients.

Eagle Brand Pound Cake

2 cups sugar

1 lb. (yes pound! you read that right!) butter

5 eggs

1 can eagle brand milk

1 tsp. almond flavoring

1 tsp vanilla flavoring

3 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Mix rest of the ingredients; beat well. Bake (in greased and floured) bundt pan for 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees. Cool before removing from pan. Once, I had it served with strawberries and whipped cream which is a delicious addition.  

As a couple of my friends like to say - "That was free." While you're eating your cake, you should check out Audrey's website - Audrey Ryon Photography - beautiful work!

Another website that makes me happy is Shauna Maness' blog. In particular, this post made me giddy on a rainy day when I stumbled upon it....oh Paris, how I love thee. 

I love art. I sometimes struggle to balance my desire for an artistic lifestyle with my desire to have a clean room or check things off a check list or make phone calls to all the people I want to stay in touch with. The pursuit of art at some point requires a withdrawal from people. I never wish to push away people in pursuit of art, whether it's simply enjoying it or attempting to create it....So, I will cherish these moments that fall like gifts in my lap when there is nothing pressing to do (well, maybe there are a few things I should do, but to me they are not as important as a person in need or an appointment I can't miss). My prayer is that, when I do finally get this chance to sit and be still, my eyes would be open to all that there is to see.   

I love photography (though I'm not much of a photographer myself) because it captures images that we all see, but few of us take the time to zoom in and appreciate. Looking at a photo that truly captures the essence of that moment in time, something within me clicks. Why didn't I pause like the photographer did to look at that flower. It's extraordinary. I'm not entirely sure I appreciated those scrumptious pastries when I was in Paris. Surely, I would have remembered how lovely they look in these photos. And, that expression on my dear friend's face....she is made in the image of God and here in this snapshot, I can see it like I never have before - the intricate design of a Creator. 

Creator, Savior, Best Friend, Holy God, open my eyes today to the wonders of your creation, the tragedy of how it has fallen, and the redemption made possible only through you.

This is Jesus.

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of His power." Hebrews 1:3

This is Jesus.

Acknowledge Him as God or don't acknowledge Him at all.

At Jesus' trial, the high priest commanded Him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." (Matthew 26:63)

Jesus response: "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:64)

If you want to label him a prophet or a good teacher, please search through the Bible first. Jesus would rather you dismiss Him than identify him as something He is not and never claimed to be. If you don't trust the Bible, do your research before you toss it in the trash as poor evidence (I would recommend Ben Stuart's message, "Has the Bible Been Corrupted?" which you can get by subscribing to the Breakaway Ministries podcast through iTunes).

If you already call Him "Lord," then take time to consider His deity today. He was man, but He is also fully God. He upholds the universe. And yet, He also bore the weight of our sin on His shoulders. This should humble us. He is not a sweet little Jesus we pray to. He is God. He is Savior. Let's give Him the praise and adoration He deserves.