Sabbath
Jan 26, 2011I am captivated by heavy snowfall.
Outside my window, juicy, wet snowflakes are being dumped from the sky, sticking to every surface and turning the world pure.
A blanket of stillness is tucked over our street. The normal volume of cars is absent. Still, a few people are out driving around, but far less than usual.
This day reminds me of the true “snow days” we had last winter. Those days when Philadelphia shut down completely after two feet of heavy snowfall in one day. The force to stop was irresistible. Schools, stores, offices and gas stations all closed down. We walked down the middle of the streets, not a car in sight.
People had to stop… And I dare say, we liked it.
We looked around and enjoyed the world. We spent time together with our families. We cooked, laughed and talked.
Snow days are like God’s invitation to rest in Exodus 20:8-11.
“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work…” (vs. 9 and 10a)
That feeling of stopping, of rest, of all things coming to a halt, that’s not just limited to snow days. God designated that we should have that experience every week. Every seventh day.
I know I need to heed His invitation. What about you?
The captivation, wonder and excitement that I feel on a snow day, where I notice the glory and the majesty of the world and the Creator, has an even greater example in the gift of Sabbath.
“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (v. 11)
Holy. God made one day sacred, special… holy. A day meant to fill us with awe and reverence. To remind us of who we are and Who we come from.
Whether you have to brave the elements today, or you find yourself at home, my prayer is that you experience the interruption of your normal routine. That you stop and realize the brilliance of our God and the marvelous works of His hands.
And this week, when you come to the seventh day, may you remember that wonder of a snow day, and allow yourself to experience the same expectation of a day spent with God.
Story
Jan 05, 2011I just finished reading a great book on how to create a compelling story and it has been giving me much to think about.
I was captivated today by the thought that God is writing a story and that I am a character in this story. There’s a grand drama going on in this universe in which the powers of Light are battling the powers of darkness. The powers of the Kingdom of God are warring with this powers of the kingdom of the enemy.
And God chose, in His Divine plan, that I would be a part of this story at this time in history. That you would be a part of this drama at this time in history.
Wow.
So, what kind of character am I? What decisions do I make? How do I go through the real tensions that face me in this life? What about you?
Ultimately, God is forming each one of our lives and using our lives to form other’s lives. How are you being formed?
I want to:
- Be the kind of person who lives what I believe.
- Take Risks that are GOD-sized.
- Let my life story run in line with GOD’s story – the redemptive work He is doing in this world.
- To believe and expect that GOD will show up in everyday life.
The awareness that I am seeking to cultivate is one that sees the bigger story – GOD’s story – and trusts Him as the Writer of that story, of which I am a part.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
- Ephesians 2:10
I want to live GOD’s story for my life, and live the ways of His Kingdom in this world.
What about you?
What kind of story is God writing with your life?
How does your story fit into the overall story of the struggle between good and evil?
How does this help you gain perspective?
Psalm 23
Dec 26, 2010Everyday this month I’ve been praying by memory, Psalm 23.
Each day, some phrase, word or sentence stands out powerfully to me for whatever it is I’m facing at that moment.
Today, that phrase is, “He restores my soul.”
This is such a poignant promise for those who live active lives. I hear the words and my heart leaps… I catch my breath. That is exactly what I need.
I sigh an involuntary sigh of peace.
“He restores my soul.”
Peace. Hope. Promise. Courage. Grace. Comfort. Wisdom to face the needs and challenges of today.
In what ways do you long for God to restore your soul today?
The verse says, he is continuously restoring my soul. This is not a one-time, one-step venture. This is a constant dependence on God and coming to him for restoration.
Regardless of what happens, you can go into today, knowing that He is restoring your soul. Let Him do that work in your heart today.
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