The Son Breaks Through

The fingers of sunrise desperately try to penetrate, but darkness prevails as the landscape is covered with a shroud of fog. Its thickness is palpable to your senses: your eyes unable to focus or find clarity to see the huge tree that lays only feet away, your ears silently unable to absorb any vibration of sound while your body experiences the physical pressure of this weather phenomenon. The feeling of total aloneness settles heavily over all that it encompasses.

Eventually, its end begins to materialize, the sun reaches through and with one sudden rip the curtain is pulled apart, the sun wins as its warmth permeates and lifts off every heavy shred.  Where lack of focus and clarity were, suddenly sight is restored; where silence and pressure seemed to reign, the reverberation of life begins to erupt.

Fog is much like the extremely difficult times in life, times when we have no choice but to walk “this” out alone. Those life-altering times, in every form, are overwhelming. Those times when the world seems to shut down and nothing else matters; the unexpected diagnosis of cancer or terminal disease, the death of a loved one, a divorce, a betrayal, a job loss – you know – those ones that take your breath away!

When you find yourself overwhelmed with the fog of life, know that you are not alone, you have a Father God who promises to never leave you or forsake you. In the midst of that darkness He has sent His SON to bring light into every situation. He will bring strength when you have none, hope to your hopelessness and faith in the midst of your doubt. He will faithfully stand beside you in the midst of suffering, covering you with love, washing away the fear that threatens to engulf you.

We have a God who never stops working even when we don’t see it or feel it. He is always there, He is your champion in the dark times, He is your healer, He is your refuge; your hope is found as you look up, stand on His promises and fight forward. Our God always shines through and pulls back the Fog.

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (ESV)

Daniel 2:22 he reveals deep and hidden things, he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwell with him. (ESV)

Psalm 28: 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. (ESV)

Psalm 42: 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (ESV)

II Corinthians 5: 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV)

Together As One

     This morning I watched as my arbor became filled with fluttering activity. All different species of birds together – flying in and out taking a waiting perch for their turn to be filled with the juicy ripe grapes that now dangle ready for consumption.

     When we have forgotten to fill their bird feeders they will group together and come asking for help – in their lack; but what a joy to watch it when there is an abundance. You can hear the chatter and singing, you can feel the anticipation and joy as they hop from one place to another waiting – anticipating – sharing.

     In lack and abundance they group together not caring about size or difference but together united on a focus for the good of them all.

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

     In the midst of the chaos, anger and hate currently harbored in our nation we have seen a momentary glimpse of what I witnessed with the birds this morning. A compassionate flood that has surfaced in the heart of people as images of great pain and loss have triggered a unity that only a few days ago was devoid. Now the united focus does not care about difference but to help those hurting and in lack. Together they are pouring out help – sharing from their abundance and even from their lack.

     Isn’t this the heart of Christ? To care for the hurting and broken? To pour out love and compassion on the most vulnerable?

     Stepping up, setting “our” lives on hold, giving from our abundance and our lack, helping in any way possible is what it is to be a loving human being. But we, as believers in Christ have a bigger assignment – it’s not just for a disaster – it is a lifestyle! A lifestyle of sharing our abundance into the lives that surround us that walk daily in lack.

     Unfortunately – just as the birds will revert back to their natural thinking – most people will quickly become cold to the needs and revert back to living their “own” lives with no thought to those still hurting and continually living in lack.

     But for now my heart smiles as I watch the birds united and full of joy sharing with one another – just as Our Heavenly Father must be doing now too. But also, with a renewed outlook on what my lifestyle needs to shift to – one of daily walking in a lifestyle of sharing – hopping from place to place waiting, anticipating and sharing as HE directs.

Isaiah 58:10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

An Unexpected Interruption

     I woke up early this morning with plans to get yard work accomplished before the heat of the day moved in but my morning plans were interrupted by an unexpected visit of three of Gods amazing creatures.

     My love and passion for nature often finds me mesmerized by the tiniest flowers that perch on top of weeds, intricate lacy spider webs and the individual trill that each bird makes; as well as the multitude of other beauties I come across. So it isn’t new for me to be aware of the beauty I find in unexpected places. However, this morning I was stunned and found myself literally holding my breath in awe as I watched the most delicate ballet erupt over my flowers.

     First one gorgeous yellow and black butterfly moved in hovering over the flowers and then the dance began. A second and then a third joined in but not just random enjoyment of their floral feast but connecting one to another. Soon they swirled around like synchronized swimmers – looping, diving, and softly fluttering. I could swear I heard music, as I stood totally amazed and engrossed in what I was being allowed to witness.

     I lost track of time as they continued oblivious of my presence. The obvious joy that this dance provided to them was contagious to watch and joy began to stir deep in my spirit as they presented this stunning ballet to their audience of one.

     But soon, as if on cue the dance was over and each butterfly flew off to different flowers leaving me with a sense of profound amazement, honored to have witnessed this intimate dance.

     The morning plans now weren’t important for God’s plan to pour out an unexpected blessing took me to a place of joy unspeakable.

     I began to contemplate what God’s “deep meaning” must be for what I witnessed and experienced today. Then as if in answer to my question laughter began to bubble up inside of me – there was no “deep meaning” it was His simple gift of love – especially for me. WOW – now that truly is a “deep meaning”!

     My day was filled with unimaginable joy because I took the time to stop what I thought needed to be done and participate in what He allowed to float into my day. My friend – don’t miss God’s unexpected interruptions of love by allowing your “to do” list to distract you from the blessings He has planned for you today.

Photo courtesy of : J.K.Sanchez Photography