Creation was perfect. But not for long. God knew.
He always does.
He knew there would be sin. He knew we wouldn’t be able to save ourselves.
But Jesus.
Jesus was saving the world in the way God intended.
It was brutal. It was painful. It was a part of God’s plan for salvation.
Jesus fulfilled God’s promise!
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Back in January I was thinking that things had become a little too busy. Of course, November – Mid January is an incredibly busy time for our business. And we had a short reprieve in February and then we started to move into the busy Hungarian festival season. And then add two tours to Hungary in the mix. I was wondering how I was going to pull it off and still stay sane. Don’t get me wrong — I love what we do. I love the opportunity to be innovative and responsive to the needs of the people who care about their Hungarian heritage. I love creating. I love to help people connect to their Hungarian roots in a variety of ways.
I also like time to think and process and plan. I am fairly introverted, too. And, we also have the blessing of living near our two grandchildren — we want to see them as much as we can.
There has been some stress as well as financial readjustments and reorganization of plans due to the current Coronavirus situation. But, I am welcoming these “lazy days”. Of course, I don’t really feel like we are being lazy, we are processing at a much slower pace than we typically do and it has been refreshing. This crazy pause in life and business has given me a greater freedom to think and dream and plan without constant interruptions.
My salvation gives me peace in the midst of the turmoil. I have also found rest.
I don’t know what the future holds but I know who holds the future. God is steady. He is my Rock.
Have you found a new perspective in the last six months? Have you been able to find joy in something new? Have you been able to find new pathways to rest?
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Psalm 62:1 New International Version
If I haven’t done the work, I won’t be ready.
Don’t worry, I don’t think my salvation depends on the things I do. It absolutely does not. But, since I am in a relationship with God, communication is important. Stepping out in faith is a part of the package and sometimes it is a s-t-r-e-t-c-h!
Stretching helps me be ready for what is next.
Recently, I tried to do something I have done many times before. This time, however, it took a lot more effort than I care to admit. What happened in the time between when I last did this activity and now? Plenty of nothing.
And just like that, I wasn’t ready for what I wanted to do.
It was discouraging and maddening. And a not-so-gentle reminder of how abilities can disintegrate when not used on a regular basis. It feels like I am starting over.
Of course, life is about starting over — a lot!
And it seems like faith works the same way. I have my core faith. My baptism promise. My confidence in God’s ongoing work in my heart and life. And when I abide in Him, my roots stretch and grow. When I don’t, I can’t expect to have a rich relationship. God always meets me where I am and patiently waits for me. But life will always put demands on me. I would much rather be stretched and molded into God’s perspective so I can choose to respond in a Godly way to the circumstances around me. I want to be sensitive to His guidance and leading and ready to do the next thing. If I always have to stop and start from square one, I won’t be in spiritual shape for what is next.
Naturally, God is there, ready for me. It doesn’t matter if I am two steps forward or ten steps behind. My story is His-story so He uses all of it and redeems it all.
His love brings about my response. Allowing Him to grow my faith and trust is a part of the process!
Even though Paul wrote this to the Thessalonians, it reminds us that growing in faith increases or capacity for other things.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV
God’s blessings on your week!
Liz
It’s nice to feel situated. It is a relief to know things are settled – an old bill, the future (at least in theory), and our hearts.
When I am unsettled and stressed about something, I can get anxious.
Have you ever had your mind entertain those types of questions? It can be in human relationships or jobs or even in my relationship with God. Sometimes things “feel” unsettled even though God assures me that they are.
It is important for me to know and remember that God, through Jesus, worked out my salvation. The “bill” there is settled.
Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4:11-12 NIV]
Check out Psalm 118.
On the way,
Liz
Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 96
“Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 96:1-3
How quickly I forget!
I think about Peter denying Christ three times even after Jesus said it would happen. Jesus even said the cock would crow three times (a little auditory reminder) and STILL, Peter denied Jesus.
So when I see this:
proclaim his salvation day after day
I think that is the minimum….because I can quickly forget that though I am dead in sin (even though I am living) and yet I am alive in Christ. I am beyond broken, wounded, and hurting…
I am a dead man walking.
and none of my good deeds or intentions can save me….nothing but the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection.
Lord, thank you for the gift of faith with only comes from you. Strengthen my ability to share Your deeds and Your love with those I come in contact with. Let me proclaim Your salvation day after day and declare Your glory among the nations and Your glorious deeds among all the people!
prayerpointsbyliz 