Yielding

I have a tendency to yield in many areas because while I might have preferences, they aren’t worth a kerfuffle. I don’t love a good fight. And while I care about a lot of things, I am not passionate enough to fight about any of them. When does a “fight” every change a mind anyway? When I have a conflict of ideas with another person, my yielding isn’t as much about yielding to another’s point of view as it is about yielding to the Holy Spirit and letting the work of changing a heart or mind rest where the change can truly happen, and that clearly isn’t with me.  It is important that I step out of the way and let the Holy Spirit do their work – and there are definitely times where that work is done on me!

Xenial

Xenial means hospitable, especially to visiting strangers or foreigners. Of the relation between a host and guest; friendly. I will confess that I have to very intentionally remember where I am and who is around me when I am out and have a mask on. I have to be intentional about making eye contact and smiling. It is hard to be hospitable when I am tired – and I am tired on many fronts. Bone tired. And it is ok to be that way, but also important to find the ways to be xenial. Others are surely also very tired and being hospitable during these uncertain times is important. What does hospitality look like to in your day? Are there new ways you can extend hospitality?

Righteousness and Justice

You rule over the surging sea;
    when its waves mount up, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
    with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
    you founded the world and all that is in it.
12 You created the north and the south;
    Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.
13 Your arm is endowed with power;
    your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
    love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
    who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
16 They rejoice in your name all day long;
    they celebrate your righteousness.
17 For you are their glory and strength,
    and by your favor you exalt our horn.[d]
18 Indeed, our shield[e] belongs to the Lord,
    our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19 Once you spoke in a vision,
    to your faithful people you said:
“I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
    I have raised up a young man from among the people.
20 I have found David my servant;
    with my sacred oil I have anointed him.
21 My hand will sustain him;
    surely my arm will strengthen him.
22 The enemy will not get the better of him;
    the wicked will not oppress him.
23 I will crush his foes before him
    and strike down his adversaries.
24 My faithful love will be with him,
    and through my name his horn[f] will be exalted.
25 I will set his hand over the sea,
    his right hand over the rivers.
26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,
    my God, the Rock my Savior.’
27 And I will appoint him to be my firstborn,
    the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
28 I will maintain my love to him forever,
    and my covenant with him will never fail.
29 I will establish his line forever,
    his throne as long as the heavens endure. [Psalm 89:9-29, NIV]

We don’t see what God sees. And we surely don’t define things the same way God does. Unless we are rooted in Scripture ourselves and are regularly connected to a healthy, Biblical perspective, we only see what we see or what others tell us they see. And all of those things we know come from a flawed perspective. Ever listen to two or more people describe an incident and everyone is compelling but each story is so different? It would do us all good to start out with, “From my point of view…” or “The way I see it at this moment…” because a slightly different angle almost always gives us new information to consider.

But when we go back to the source, or the author of the concepts, and seriously consider the words, that is where we really see the intentions.

Are you hearing some words and phrases these days that don’t seem to add up to God’s definition or perspective? I would like to encourage you to not take the world’s word on what is what. Even when, and especially when, the world is loud and disruptive, consider the source of the definitions.

We are in the midst of difficult days for a number of reasons. But God is with us in every step.

 “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
2 Chronicles 20:12

May we fix our eyes on our Creator and follow His lead!

God’s Peace!
Liz

Victory

How do you define victory? Recently, I have been thinking about this word that represents a few things. It seems to indicate there is a winner and a loser. And that there is a struggle. And while it is often used to describe physical things, I am currently caught up in the spiritual perspective. These days, I view most struggles and victories in the spiritual realm. And knowing the ultimate victory has been won for me by the blood of Jesus is a blessed assurance.

Come Lord Jesus!

Understanding

Where are you coming from? How are you looking at things? What “experience filter” are you using as you look at things? It is important in our human relationships to consider the other person’s point of view. And it is also very important to consider God’s point of view. Perspective makes a huge difference and seeking to understand goes a long way in relationships, even if it isn’t achieved 100%.

Sanctuary

 These days, I am looking for some sanctuary from the conflicts in the world and the conflicts in relationships. With all of the restricted movement and concerns about passing on or receiving the coronavirus, many people are missing their opportunity to be in a place of peace and rest. A place of sanctuary and words of comfort and joy.

Where is one of your favorite places for refuge or safety?

Quiet

During this season, I crave quiet, but it is not a great time to access it due to business demands. So, I combat it by getting up earlier than others in my household and going to bed earlier as well. By the time Christmas comes around, I don’t have energy for much of anything. But, for me, that is ok. Sometimes the preparations for a Christmas event can distract from the reason of the celebration.

Is there something that you can remove from your schedule that will allow you to relax and help you savor this time more?