bible

Anticipating Advent

Posted on by Grace Day

Today I turned my calendar to December and my thoughts toward Christmas. Time to put away my pumpkins and bring out nativity scenes and Santas. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to me. I’ve had plenty of reminders that it’s time to prepare for Christmas. On my street and in my neighborhood, Christmas lights have been on for a while now – so long in fact that these lights would find themselves competing with the Halloween lights on neighboring houses if said Christmas lights dared to appear any earlier than they already do.

This is why I call Thanksgiving the overlooked holiday – we go from Halloween decor straight to Christmas decor without a pause for the fabulous food holiday that is Thanksgiving. Or maybe we are just basically ungrateful because we don’t take the time to stop, count our many blessings and give God thanks for His enduring love and ever-present mercy.

But now that I am focused on Christmas, I can’t help but feel I am already behind since other homes appear to be better prepared for the season than I am at present. I love this season of Advent. It is a season of anticipation and of preparation and of hope. I am anticipating the arrival of the Christ child and I am (or should be) about the business of preparing to receive this long-awaited child.

Jesus’s first advent wasn’t exactly what those living at that time were expecting. In fact, they were caught completely off guard, totally unprepared to receive God’s gift to them. Had they stopped looking? Had they given up on God and on His promise to them that He would send them a Redeemer? Had they forgotten the prophesies of their own scripture or did they simply no longer believe it would ever come true? It had been too long. God had been too silent. Enter the Messiah. We read this account in John –

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:10-11)

Furthermore, not only did they not recognize Him, their desperately desired Messiah, they were too busy to make room for Him physically, which is probably why Jesus ended up being born in a stable. Luke tells us how it came about.

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:4-7)

No room for God’s only Son? No room for the One described this way in Isaiah?

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

They were unable to make room for Jesus in their inns, in their homes, in their synagogues, in their lives and in their hearts. I wonder, are you and I any different today?

Jesus’s birth had been prophesied for centuries but when “the time was right” and Jesus “became flesh and made His dwelling among us” no one (well hardly anyone except the shepherds, but an angel had to tell them about it and give them directions to where Jesus was) but basically no one noticed, no one welcomed Him, no one celebrated His birth (except the heavenly hosts who put on quite a concert) and no one prepared a place for Him to be received. The long-awaited Savior King came into the world and the world went on as if nothing had happened.

BUT – Advent says this life changing, earth shattering, totally miraculous event of Jesus’s birth shall not go unheralded, unnoticed, uncelebrated ever again. The weather here hinted at Advent’s nearness – it’s been snowing as I’ve been writing this. My Christmas cactus, which has been green for eleven months, today is suddenly red with buds waiting to open at the proper time. How does my cactus know it’s time to get ready for the birthday celebration?

I want to be prepared for the coming of my Savior King. I want to prepare a place for Him not just in my home but in my heart. I’ve got some cleaning to do, some rearranging of priorities. There is so much more to say about this wonderful miracle that took place when God came to earth to live among us – an event described like this –

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, ‘God with us.’ ” (Matthew 1:23)

Yes, there will be more to say as the days of Advent continue, but for now, I need to be about the business of getting ready for the coming of my King. I want to prepare the way for His coming and I join with the Psalmist in saying –

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty -He is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

let Him in!

sincerely, Grace Day

who’s at your table?

Posted on by Grace Day

I love Thanksgiving but I often feel it is the forgotten or most overlooked of the holidays. I mean, what’s not to love? Food, family, football enjoyed without the pressure of shopping for and wrapping all those gifts – it’s the practically perfect holiday. And yet Thanksgiving is barely noticed, squeezed between the hype and hoopla of Halloween decor and overindulgent candy consumption and the equally hyped and hooplaed decor and demands of Christmas. Thanksgiving has no yard decorations heralding its coming or arrival. No wonder we forget to be thankful for the many blessings that we take for granted until any one of them is suddenly taken away from us without warning. Then we realize just how fortunate we truly are.

This Thanksgiving weekend people are gathering together around the table with family and friends to share a meal. Some of us are the hosts and some of us are the invited guests. Which begs the question, who do we invite to share our celebration of Thanksgiving? Who do we give a seat at our table? Full disclosure – this is on my mind because I’m currently doing Giglio’s study entitled “Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table.”

I’m reminded that I choose every day who gets a seat at my table and my choice of dinner guests makes a difference in the outcomes of my life. Dining companions make a difference. Who knew? Well, the apostle Peter knew. He issued a clear warning, saying –

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Message received – don’t invite him to share my meal or I will become the meal! I think this is what Mr. Giglio was talking about when he referred to not inviting my enemy to my table. My enemy is identified as the devil. He is not a presence I would want occupying a seat at my table. Consider his description in Revelation –

” . . . the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;” (Revelation 12:10-11)

Do I want the enemy of my soul to have my ear? (which he will have if I give him a chair beside me at my table) No, because he will falsely accuse me since he is the father of lies. He will fill me with doubt and fear. He is not a good dinner guest. Why would I invite him in and give him access to my life when I know this about him? He is described this way in John by Jesus –

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

And what about all my enemy’s false accusations? The antidote to lies is truth. I need to hear instead these words of truth.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

When I give the enemy a seat, he brings other unwanted guests with him to fill up any empty seats at my table. He invites in fear, doubt, despair, deceit, anger, envy – a whole host of unwelcome intruders that come to rob me of the life Christ died to give me. Instead of the enemy of my soul, I will intentionally invite the Provider of my feast to preside over the meal and partake of it with me. In Psalms it says this of the Lord who is my shepherd –

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23-5-6)

When my Heavenly Father prepares the meal, presides over it and has a seat at my table, all the other seats are filled with the good guests He brings with Him. His everpresent Presence brings His peace, (not as the world gives) His protection, His abundant provision, His promises to me, His plans to give me “hope and a future”, His healing, His mercy, His joy and His comfort (isn’t that what the angel said to the shepherds, tidings of “comfort and joy”?) When I invite my Heavenly Father in and give Him a seat at my Thanksgiving table, my cup really does overflow as I give Him alone all my thanksgiving and all my praise. I simply –

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5)

I most gladly and joyfully –

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced” (Psalm 105:1-5)

I’m so grateful to God that He is indeed the Provider and Preparer of my table and because my Heavenly Father has a seat at the table He has prepared for me in the presence of my enemies, it’s my table and I don’t have to give the enemy a seat at my table at Thanksgiving or at any other time. Good to know. The choice is mine who I allow at my God given table. Thank You, Lord. Your Presence fills my table with every good thing.

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)

sincerely, Grace Day

a walk on the wild side

Posted on by Grace Day

I take them often – wild side walks that is. These walks that I’ve been taking give new meaning to the term “concrete jungle.” because these walks aren’t exactly nature walks. Instead of being surrounded by scenic views and bird calls as I walk, I am surrounded by the sounds of traffic, cars backfiring, sirens wailing, horns honking, in addition to the sounds of heavy machinery on the ground and helicopters overhead. No, I am not walking through a war zone, well not technically or literally anyway. I am simply walking during my break around the inner-city high school where I work.

This high school is located on a very busy main street close to the interstate, which explains the constant high volume of traffic surrounding the school. It is close to downtown and a few blocks from the medical center, which accounts for the helicopters landing at the heliport on one of the hospitals there. (or maybe they are traffic helicopters? I can’t tell the difference) The old football stadium has been torn down and a brand new one is being constructed in its place, which is why all the bulldozers and other such big machinery have been operating during my daily walks. Only a chain link fence separates me and the other pedestrians from the noise and activity of all the large earth moving trucks and other heavy machinery operating there every day.

So it is a different kind of a jungle that I walk in every day. I don’t have to watch out for dangerous wild animals, just dangerous traffic. I don’t hear bird calls, I hear sirens growing louder, closer, then fading into the distance. I don’t walk on a dirt path, but on a concrete sidewalk. After all, I am in a concrete jungle. Maybe this concrete jungle is actually more dangerous than any African jungle or Amazon jungle? Actually, both jungles are full of pitfalls and perils. These may be different, but they are equally real and equally challenging.

Ironic isn’t it? I choose to walk on my break in order to focus and find a few moments of peaceful tranquility before I return to the noise and chaos of the classroom, and instead I find myself walking through the noise and chaos of the concrete jungle I have just described to you. Gives new meaning to the expression – “it’s a jungle out there” for sure. It would appear that no matter where I walk, I will face challenges. Whether the possibility of poisonous snakes and prowling lions in the real jungle, or the dangers of fast moving traffic and heavy machinery in the concrete jungle – life is certainly no walk in the park.

The apostle Peter apparently figured this out centuries ago, because he wrote to believers saying, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

It seems to me that no matter where I walk, I will encounter some degree of difficulty and danger. Some environments are more dangerous than others. Some roads are just harder to walk than others. For me what matters most is not where I am walking, whether that be a peaceful path or an impossibly steep and slippery slope, but who is walking with me. This makes all the difference in my journey and in its outcome.

Case in point – Daniel’s three friends. Talk about your walk on the wild side. I don’t think “furnace walking” is a thing (unlike glacier walking or creek walking) but Daniel’s three friends were forced to do this by an angry king wanting to prove a point. Now a furnace is not an ideal environment for a walk (so much for the where) BUT the who joining them on this walk made all the difference in the outcome of their walk on the wild side. We join the story in progress –

“So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, O king.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’ ” (Daniel 3:21-25)

These three men weren’t alone in the furnace. God was right there with them, which accounted for the fact that they were no longer bound up but now walking around freely, unharmed. Our story continues –

“So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, . . . the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” (Daniel 3:26-27)

For these three, their walk on the wild side did not end in disaster because of Who walked with them, which mattered much more than where they found themselves walking. I’m sure those three friends of Daniel never planned on having to walk through a furnace. Not a lot you can do to prepare for something like that. Even as I write these words I know too many dear people, friends and family, who are walking through something right now that none of us would choose because the path is painful and scary and hard.

These wheres none of us would choose. BUT – we can choose the who – who walks with us. And that makes all the difference. King David made a choice. He boldly declared –

“The Lord is my shepherd,” (Psalm 23:1)

The result of his choice of shepherd? “I shall not be in want.”

King David had to walk in some hard places. He said this –

“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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:4-5)

The valley of the shadow of death has to be one of the most dangerous, difficult places to walk if not the most treacherous of all. But David said he wasn’t afraid because of God’s presence walking with him, bringing him comfort. And not only that, David said God’s provision for him was abundant and overflowing while he was still walking in the valley. My Heavenly Father does the same for me every day no matter where I find myself walking. His presence goes with me, giving me comfort, protection and provision – even when, like King David, I am walking through “the valley of the shadow of death.”

I pray this knowledge for all my friends, family and for you dear readers – the knowledge of God’s everpresent presence abiding with you and with me, with each one of us, supplying all our needs even when we find ourselves walking in dark valleys. God is there. We have His promise on that. King David knew this. Must be why he wrote these words about God-

“You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:5-10)

How wonderful, how reassuring – to know that God is always present with me no matter where I go, no matter where I am walking, be it a concrete jungle or a dry desert. God is there. I will not be afraid. I will walk with confidence and purpose because Jesus promised –

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

sincerely, Grace Day

slow down – turn around

Posted on by Grace Day

Have I mentioned I’m currently doing a Bible study on “hurry” with some other women? Well, I am. Not that I’ve put into practice what we’re learning or slowed down any yet – but there’s always tomorrow, right? However, a song has been running through my head lately, a really random, really old song – don’t know how I even know it, but the words keep coming to my mind.

The song? – “Turn Around Look at Me” by the Vogues. Although when I looked it up, the Letterman and some other groups sang this song also. It’s a love song, words sung from a man to a woman I’m guessing, even though it could just as easily be from a woman to a man. The message of the song is clear. The one who loves wants the person whom they love to notice them, to see them, to hear them and to realize that they are loved by this “someone” and they don’t even know it!

It seems to me this song could very well be one of the songs my Creator is singing to me. After all, God is singing to me continuously. Just because I’m not listening, doesn’t mean my Creator isn’t singing as He watches over me. His word tells me that He is indeed singing.

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

The message of the song is simple – “There is someone walking behind you – Turn around, look at me.” I can believe this is what God is saying to me as I hurry through my days. He just wants me to stop, turn and see that He is right there, so close to me. King David was aware of God’s presence with him when he wrote these words about God –

“You hem me in – behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” (Psalm 139:5-6)

The song continues “There is someone watching your footsteps – turn around, look at me.” These words remind me that my Heavenly Father is watching over me even when I am not paying any attention to Him. The psalmist expressed it this way –

“The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)

Watching my coming and my going, my footsteps – my Heavenly Father is not a creepy stalker but a benevolent protector who loves me and watches over me. Who wouldn’t want someone who always has their back? who always has their best interests at heart? The song continues with the only line that would not ring true if my Creator were singing it – “There is someone who really needs you – here is my heart in my hand.”

That’s not true BUT – the reverse is. God doesn’t need me, but I desperately need Him. God cares for me, “He loves me with an everlasting love”, “He has compassion on all He has made”, He gave His one and only Son for me – but He doesn’t need me. I need Him. However, the rest is true – my Heavenly Father has given me His heart and His hand –

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

The song continues – “Turn around, look at me. Understand, understand that there’s someone who’ll stand beside you, turn around, look at me”

Are you sensing a theme here? If only I would slow down, cease my endless running from who knows what to who knows what – if only I would pause long enough to turn around and see the One who is pursuing me, the One who loves me, the One who is watching over me, singing over me – my Heavenly Father – the One who is my Creator, my Redeemer, my Savior, my provider and my protector. If only I would stop running from God and instead run to Him – He is waiting for me to do just that, like the song says – “turn around, look at me.”

The song continues – “And there’s someone to love and guide you, turn around, look at me”. My Heavenly Father has promised in His word that He will do this for me, if I will allow Him to –

“Lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:4-5)

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:2-3)

This is definitely a song my Heavenly Father is singing consistently, patiently to my soul. As I hurry through my days, He is calling to me – “turn around, look at Me!” Will I stop and turn to see that He is with me and has been all along, or am I too busy, in too big a hurry to acknowledge His presence? Even if I keep running rather than turn around, God doesn’t give up on me or on you either, dear readers. King David knew this to be true. Must be why he wrote these words –

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make My bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

It is so comforting to know that there is indeed “Someone” walking behind me, beside me, holding my hand, guiding me. That “Someone” is none other than my Creator, my Heavenly Father, God. Which brings us to the last line of the lyrics to this song – words God is definitely singing to me and to you, even as I write them.

“O I’ve waited, but I’ll wait forever – For you to come to me – Look at someone Who really loves you – Turn around, look at me – Turn around, look at me.”

Someone who really loves you and me – that’s God!

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

Someone who will never give up on me or on you, Someone who will wait forever –

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” (Hebrews 13:5)

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

“Turn around, look at me” – a song about human love, but nevertheless, a song that reflects the divine love our Creator has for each one of us as those He created in His image. As the song continues to play in my head, I will pause from my “hurry”, turn around and look at my Heavenly Father – truly look at Him, truly know Him, truly spend time in His presence.

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

sincerely, Grace Day

pondering the pithy

Posted on by Grace Day

My neighbors are traveling – again. They have recently returned from one adventure only to embark on yet another travel adventure. I must admit – I am positively green with envy. This brings to mind the rolling stone – you know the one – the one that gathers no moss, right? Well, in this scenario, my neighbors are the rolling stones and I am the opposite of a rolling stone. I am the stationary stone. This would explain my envious green hue. Unlike my friends, the rolling stones, I have gathered plenty of moss. I am, in fact, covered in thick, green moss.

Although, if truth be told, there are plenty of times and seasons in my life, where I too, am a rolling stone. It is during these times of “rolling” that I lose my accumulated moss in the process of being no longer still, but in perpetual motion.

Still, I have to ponder the deeper question here. Is the implication of this often quoted, pithy saying that moss is a good thing or a bad thing? If the implication is that moss is a good thing, a desirable thing, then a rolling stone by virtue of its constant movement, is missing out on acquiring this valuable asset of moss. Moss does provide a warm and comforting layer of protection and adornment for the stone. So moss can be considered something good. This is one interpretation.

Or – is moss considered a burden – extra, unnecessary weight that slows the stone’s roll? Is the moss making the stone more beautiful or hiding the stone’s bare beauty? All these queries are a part of my pithy ponder.

It appears to me that to this point in my life, I have more often played the part of the stationary stone rather than the rolling stone. (must be why I have acquired so much moss) Neighbors have come and gone, friends have moved here and there, while I have been at the same address for many years. And I have the “moss” to verify my lack of “rolling” – a basement and a garage and closets full of the “moss” that accumulates with the passage of time. Are these “mossy” things that fill my home treasure or trash? That is open to interpretation.

But, fun fact. Time does have a way of turning trash into treasure. Ordinary objects become valuable antiques, sought after by collectors, when enough time has passed to turn them into rare and historical treasures. Ironically, moss is a sign that the “stone” has put down roots (so to speak) by virtue of staying in one place, even though moss itself has no roots. (moss has something called rhizoids which enable it to attach to a variety of surfaces)

Moss is a beautiful, velvety soft covering – a vibrantly colored plant that lives on every continent. That’s right. Moss grows in Antarctica and in the desert. Very versatile. So why would a stone want to cease its rolling and gather some moss? Maybe for the comfort a covering of moss provides? Perhaps for the protection or for the adornment of mosses’ emerald hues? Or could it be that the stone desires the moss that grows and flourishes with the connections that are formed, the community that arises, only when the stone stops its rolling?

But it’s hard to stop “rolling” in today’s culture. We are busy and we value busyness. So I too often keep on rolling and then wonder why I have no moss – no protective, comforting, decorative cloak and cover to keep me company. (who knew moss is a good companion?) This must be why God’s word says –

“Be still; and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

I don’t need to keep running – whether from something or in search of something. My Heavenly Father says I need only to be still. (and maybe gather some moss) He will meet me where I am. In fact, He says this –

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

And He says –

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15)

I guess that’s right. I too often resist being still in favor of that fever pitch at which we all seem to be living life. I’m afraid to slow down and cease my incessant rolling. Why? I blame FOMO. (fear of missing out) It’s a malady of our current day culture. BUT – my Heavenly Father has something else in mind for me (and for you) –

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” (Psalm 37:7)

“Do not fret”? Why? Because God’s got a better plan for me and for you too, dear readers. God gives us a wonderful invitation, if we dare to accept it and follow where He leads –

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:2)

Doesn’t that sound inviting? A chance to stop rolling long enough to lie down and rest. I’m pretty sure there’s moss in those green pastures and moss on the stones beside those quiet waters. It is in this place of stillness that my Heavenly Father restores my soul, I receive much needed rest, and moss has a chance to grow a comforting, protective, decorative covering over my once rolling stony self.

This is an open invitation from my Heavenly Father, an invitation that I want to accept often. I never regret the time I spend in His green pastures, beside quiet waters, being still, being restored by the life-giving Presence of my Creator. I will “be still and know that He is God.” I will gladly cease my rolling and gather some moss until my Heavenly Father calls me to “roll” again, to follow Him to some new adventure.

sincerely, Grace Day

the gum giver

Posted on by Grace Day

No, that is not a job description, but it does describe a work colleague of mine. He is a substitute teacher at the large, inner city public high school where I also work as a sub. This can be a tough job, a thankless job, a position the students don’t take seriously but they do take advantage of those in this role. My colleague, however, has found a solution or at least a gimmick to enhance his standing with the students even though he’s only a substitute teacher like me. His idea? He is the giver of gum goodness.

That’s right. My colleague has discovered that giving out free chewing gum to the students is indeed a very good gimmick – a gimmick full of goodwill fueled by the goodness of gum! Who knew? It’s a simple gesture but it works wonders. I’ve seen it work. He stands in the halls during passing periods and hands out gum to anyone who asks. Even the most rude and rebellious of students will approach him politely, hand outstretched, and usually remember to say thank you at the conclusion of the gum transaction.

The teenage years are turbulent times by definition. Many students walk around angry, anxious, or on edge, just waiting for their next explosive encounter. Enter the gum giver. Instead of telling students they are in violation of dress code, to take off their hat or to get to class (that’s someone else’s job anyway, someone way above our pay grade) he offers them a choice of gum flavors – a small gift, an act of kindness and goodwill inserted into an often contentious environment.

This giving of gum changes things for the better – one stick of gum at a time – one positive interaction at a time – his gimmick of giving gum goodness reaps a harvest of goodwill. And goodwill is a scarce and valuable commodity among the teenage population, let me tell you. (maybe among the population in general now that I think about it) The gum giver is building bridges between himself and the students, slowly, steadily – each gesture of kindness, each stick of gum, another piece of the bridge he is building every day. (although I’m sure some days the chasm seems too wide to be bridged by mere sticks of gum, no matter how many he gives away)

This is not something new for him. The gum giver has been doing this for years. Students seek him out during the school day – they go out of their way to find him. Of course, they are getting free gum, but they are also getting something more – a smile, a kind word – it’s possibly the most positive interaction of their day. I think my colleague is onto something wise and profound. Although, it’s also a good survival tactic. Teenagers can be formidable adversaries. I think the gum giver is smart to put into practice this strategy –

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Romans 12:20)

He is making a big difference with a seemingly small gesture – the giving of a single stick of gum. Living in a culture that is producing anxious, agitated, often angry individuals, what he does may seem insignificant and insufficient against such odds. BUT – we are told in Romans –

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

In this case, the goodness of gum is the method and I think it is working. As I said previously, he has been doing this gum giveaway thing for some years, which brings to mind these words in Galatians –

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

I wonder if the gum giver ever grows weary? Perhaps, BUT – I have never seen the gum giver give up. And he never runs out of gum either! That’s a minor miracle considering every school day he hands out hundreds of sticks of gum, one at a time, all day long. (many students are repeat receivers of his gift of gum goodness in the same day) I hope his consistent kindness and generosity are contagious. We could each take a page from the gum giver’s play book and practice some small form of “gum giving” every day.

Whether it’s the giving of a smile (there are those who find that too costly or too much trouble) or the giving of a kind word or a listening ear – I am inspired by the gum giver to try and make a difference for good in the lives of those I come in contact with every day. (maybe candy bars?) Whatever it is, dear readers, we each have our own unique contribution for good that only we can make to the world. So let’s do whatever it is, one step at a time, one day at a time, one stick of gum at a time.

And the world will be the better for it – “overcome evil with good.”

sincerely, Grace Day

fun fact – the gum giver is also the person in the post – “moment of glory”

the never ending project

Posted on by Grace Day

Ever have one of those – a project that never seems to end? – one where there is always more to do, something else that is needed. That’s my house and come to think of it, my life also. Is that true for you as well? The plumber was here this week to do a big project that needed doing but that I had put off for far too long. When I scheduled the appointment, I felt a huge sense of relief and accomplishment, simply because I finally made a decision, took action and committed to having the work done. Finally, something I could cross off my long standing “to-do” list!

Well, the plumber came and completed said tasks BUT (that’s right, there’s always a “but”) he noticed some other things that need to be taken care of, such as a battery backup for the pump in the basement. (those things aren’t cheap) So, my list actually grew longer – cross off one thing, add three more. I won’t bore you with further plumbing details, but let me just mention that my list contains many other things as well. Currently, my car’s engine light is on, my fence is falling down, my garage needs to be cleared out and the list goes on and on. My list truly is a reflection of my life, a life comprised of never-ending projects. No wonder I’m exhausted! Maybe your lists are long and you are tired too, dear readers.

Perhaps this is fitting since you and I live in a culture dedicated to never ending projects – particularly home improvement projects and self improvement projects. These types of projects have no end point. There is always more to do, more that needs to be done and more that we are told should be done if we are to achieve ultimate perfection. Could it be we are chasing the impossible dream – whether that be our dream house or our dream body? Either way it’s exhausting because the pursuit is never ending. There is always one more project. One more thing to do.

BUT – what if I wasn’t the one who was doing the work? What if I could hire the perfect contractor or the perfect personal trainer or nutritionist or life coach? BUT – is there anyone out there that I would actually trust with the never ending projects that fill my life? No one comes to mind. Trusting others is hard for me, (often based on past experiences) but at some point I have to trust some car mechanic, plumber, doctor, nutritionist, exercise guru etc. to help me take care of my house and of my body.

The phrase “a work in progress” definitely sums up me and my house, too. It is a popular phrase which accurately describes me and my life experience. Things are constantly changing – myself, my circumstances, the world around me. I need to be able to adapt in order to survive. We call that learning and growing and it’s a life long process. For my house, I can find and hire a contractor with a good reputation that I trust to oversee the needed repairs, renovations and restoration.

But what about the repairs, renovations, and the restoration that I need done in my personal life? Who better to entrust that job to than the original builder, my Heavenly Father, my Creator? I am so tired of trying to “improve” my own life. I am sure He will do a much better job if I would just allow Him free reign in my life. After all, if I can’t trust the One who made me, who can I trust? I know what it says in Philippians –

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

That’s reassuring. God’s purposes are always good. I can trust Him. I have God’s promise –

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

And the great thing is – it’s ok that I’m exhausted from all the trying to self-improve with all the never ending projects. Because it’s not my strength that is needed to get the job done. I don’t have the strength or the ability to complete any of the projects on my never ending list. But my Heavenly Father does. I just need to trust Him and to surrender control to Him. Let Him do the work in me that I can never seem to get done on my own. Now these words make perfect sense –

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

I am a work in progress BUT – I can have confidence that the work will get done in time because I’m not the one doing the work – my Creator is! What a relief! My Redeemer started this restoration project which is the mess of my life and He is transforming it into something wonderful and beautiful. I don’t need my lists. His plan is perfect.

My Creator, my Heavenly Father God, will not give up on me even though I often give up on myself when I fail at all my self-imposed self-improvement plans. God, who began the good work in me, will see it through. It will have an end, a happy ending – when His work is complete.

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

When you and I, dear readers, are fully conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, His work in us truly will be complete – until then, this side of heaven, I remain a work in progress – a never ending project of love in my Heavenly Father’s hands.

sincerely, Grace Day

the paraplegic

Posted on by Grace Day

My friends and I were praying over the prayer requests from people in our church, which they have submitted online. We do this once a week as a group. The requests are many, often anonymous, always heartfelt, often overwhelming, usually filled with a mixture of pain, despair, uncertainty and hope – perhaps hope in this desperate, last-ditch effort of sharing their deep need online with strangers.

Ours is such a large church and so many of the requests are anonymous, that I don’t know if I have ever known any of the people we are praying for each week. But of course, that’s the beauty of this thing called prayer – I don’t have to know. God knows everyone perfectly. He knows every situation and every need. How can I be sure of this? Well, the prophet Isaiah describes God in this way –

“He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)

Do you know how many stars there are? Google tells me there are one septillion stars. I can’t really get my mind around that number. Just our own galaxy alone, the Milky Way, has over 100 billion stars, including our sun. So I guess if God knows the names of all those stars, He also knows the names of all the people who have submitted prayer requests, anonymous or not. And then there’s this –

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

If God knows the number of hairs on my head and on your heads, dear readers, then I can be assured that He knows the names and the situations of all those I am praying for, even though I don’t know those things. The NLT translation says, “But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.”

God knows. I don’t need to know in order to pray. I don’t need to know because God knows it all, sees it all and watches over it all. Nothing escapes His notice. He is omniscient. The author of Hebrews confirms this, saying –

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

So, this week there was a request for prayer for someone’s son who is now a paraplegic. No names or details were given. I found myself wondering how old is this son, how long has he been a paraplegic and what caused his condition – accident, illness, sports injury – what happened to him? What is his story? BUT – curious as I am, I don’t need to know all this in order to pray for him. God knows this person’s story and is continuing to write it even now.

I couldn’t help but think of the story of the paralytic told in Mark and in Luke. He was carried by his friends on a mat – this was before wheelchairs – to a place where his friends thought he might receive healing. His friends had heard the rumors of someone called Jesus who was healing people. They were willing to help their friend by transporting him to where Jesus was preaching and teaching. Here’s what happened –

“One day as He was teaching . . . Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’ ” (Luke 5:17-20)

Not exactly the response they were looking for – they sought a physical healing for their friend. That was their priority – that their friend would once again walk. Instead Jesus told him his sins were forgiven. Some in the crowd, namely the Pharisees, took issue with this response saying – “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Our story continues –

“Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ‘ He said to the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.” (Luke 5:22-25)

So how did I pray in response to this mother’s request for prayer for her paraplegic son? Before me was the desire for a physical healing. But her son needs more than this temporary fix. We all do. You and I and this paraplegic son, like the paralytic on the mat in front of Jesus, need a spiritual healing much more than we need any physical healing. A spiritual healing, which begins with forgiveness of sin, lasts for eternity. Any physical healing we experience in this life is temporary at best, as our bodies will eventually wear out. Even Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, did eventually die a physical death.

The paralytic asked too little of Jesus. He desired a temporary healing. Jesus wanted to give him an eternal healing of his soul, which is why Jesus forgave him of his sins. How could I best pray for this paraplegic? I thought of God’s promise to me, to you, to this beloved son –

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Currently, her son is suffering from depression due to this change in his circumstances. BUT – God wants to give him hope and a future irregardless of his physical circumstances. God didn’t take away the apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (whatever that was) BUT it didn’t change the call of God on Paul’s life. Paul’s life was full of meaning and purpose as he lived out God’s purposes for him rather than his own.

I prayed that God’s truth would set this paraplegic free to live out God’s good and eternal purposes for his life. I prayed he would find his identity, purpose, place and calling through knowing Jesus, his Savior and ultimate healer. God wants to give him “hope and a future” – that’s a direct quote and a promise. I pray that he will receive all that God wants to give him, starting with forgiveness and eternal life and all the good gifts God’s presence brings to us each day – His peace, comfort, wisdom, provision, protection, hope, joy – it’s a long list.

Joni Erickson Tada has lived a life full of meaning, purpose, accomplishment and service to so many people around the world – author, artist, activist for those who are disabled – her list of accomplishments is long. And she has done it all from a wheelchair! I pray this for the paraplegic son on today’s prayer list – a life full and overflowing with all his Creator wants to give him. I pray he know the truth – that God’s love for him is unwavering and that God’s call upon his life remains intact despite any physical disability. God’s answer to this paraplegic son is perhaps the same as His response to Paul –

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul’s response?

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

I pray this son, this child of God, experiences God’s limitless power in his life, a life that is truly made perfect and strong because of, not in spite of, his newly weakened state.

sincerely, Grace Day

walking weighted

Posted on by Grace Day

My prayer walking partner does this. She walks weighted. Every time we walk and pray, she wears a weighted vest. I wasn’t aware of this for a long time, actually until last spring when the weather turned warm and her weighty vest was no longer concealed by her heavy coat. I could then see the extra burden she bore as we walked and prayed. Of course, the obvious query is why? Why would anyone willingly choose to carry more weight with them than they absolutely had to. Doesn’t the extra weight make her journey slower, harder, longer than it would otherwise be?

Ironic, isn’t it? My last post was about lightening our loads and now I’m talking about increasing what we carry with us? It would seem I can’t make up my mind these days. However, in my defense, I’ve been thinking about these words in Galatians which give me a very specific instruction –

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Seriously? I already feel the weight of the world on my shoulders more days than I care to admit, and now I’m supposed to add to my load and offer to help someone else carry their burden? their baggage? Impossible right? Well, no because “with God all things are possible.” My Heavenly Father will enable me to do whatever it is that He asks of me. Still, it sounds unduly difficult to me and a bit unreasonable of God to ask such a thing of me, don’t you agree?

I always thought the goal was to travel light through this life, both literally and figuratively. However, if I pay closer attention to what God’s instructions are, I realize that although He does tell me to throw off some things, He also asks me to pick up or to put on some other things. My Heavenly Father tells me to throw off “the sin that so easily entangles” – anything that hinders me and holds me back. My instructions also include this directive –

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” (1 Peter 2:1)

Well, that should certainly lighten my load! Those things are heavy burdens, never intended to be carried with me everywhere I go. But God also asks me to put on plenty of weighty things – namely, God asks me to “put on His full armor”, He asks me to “take up my cross and follow Him” and He invites me to “bear other people’s burdens.”

Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Is this really in my best interest, this walking weighted down with armor and my cross and my life’s burdens and now other people’s burdens, too? I guess armor was the original weighted vest. That breastplate of righteousness must have weighed quite a bit, (still does – character building is like weight training for our souls instead of our muscles) not to mention the shield of faith would be weighty to wield as one walked along.

BUT – it turns out, walking while weighted is good for us. That’s why my friend wears the weighted vest. There are benefits to carrying this extra weight around with us. Apparently, it builds and maintains our muscles and our bones, making them strong and keeping them strong. And as it turns out, weight bearing is good cardio, too – meaning it’s good for our hearts. So when Jesus told His disciples “take up your cross and follow Me” He knew carrying this extra weight would produce necessary and desirable results in their lives. Today, Jesus invites you and I, dear readers, into this same weight bearing journey of following Him.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Did you catch that? I am to “deny” or throw off some things while simultaneously “taking up” other things. Knowing what to leave behind and what to carry with me on this journey makes all the difference. Fortunately, God’s word gives me some pretty clear guidelines about what to leave behind and what to carry with me, even listing out all the pieces of the armor in Ephesians chapter six. (ie. the helmet, shoes, belt, breastplate, shield and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word)

Some things, like bitterness, unforgiveness, hate, anger, anxiety – these are burdens that destroy me, burdens that weaken me, hold me hostage and keep me paralyzed. However, other weighty things I carry, such as the cross of Christ or the burdens I bear for others, these make me stronger instead of weaker. I become strong in compassion, empathy, unselfishness, helping others. These are vitally important muscles which need to be used in order to be made strong. If I don’t use them, I lose them. (we all recognize that mantra from the gym, right?)

Carrying my cross daily builds my character and my trust in my Heavenly Father. Crosses were notoriously heavy. We know from the account of Jesus’s crucifixion, how He and the one who carried His cross for Him struggled under its weight. But we are told the weight we bear for Jesus and for others is weight we carry with a purpose, for a reason, for a very good reason.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Yes, you and I are growing stronger as we carry our crosses and sometimes shoulder the weight of the crosses of our loved ones as well. (or those of our enemies) As we do this, we are building necessary spiritual muscle and bone. We are strengthening our faith as we walk with our weighted vests (or breastplates and shields etc.) while following Christ. You and I have the privilege of carrying with us something very weighty and very special. God’s word says this about us –

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ ” (Isaiah 52:7)

That’s you and I, dear readers – and that’s another thing we carry with us – the most important thing – God’s Good News. My prayer walk partner and I carry so much more than the weight of her weighted vest with us when we walk – we carry God’s proclamation of peace, salvation, and the assurance and knowledge that our God is alive and well, sovereign and loving. We carry God’s message of redemption and hope, all while wearing His shoes, the shoes of the gospel of peace.

I am definitely walking weighted through this world BUT – if I am carrying the proper weights that God has given me to carry, I will be increasing in strength and stamina as I continue on in my faith journey. In fact, I have this promise as I walk bearing the weight of armor, cross, burdens and the Gospel (God’s Good News is quite weighty in the best sense of the word, having the substance (weight) of truth that stands the test of time for eternity, the power to save lives, to redeem, restore and set free each one who hears and receives God’s message) –

“Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31)

you and I will soar, dear readers, all while wearing our weighted vests!

sincerely, Grace Day

lightening the load

Posted on by Grace Day

Sounds like something I need to do, lighten the load that is, and maybe that’s something you need to do too? It is easy to get bogged down with life’s cares, worries, demands, trials, hardships, challenges – it seems there is no shortage of things that cause us pain, give us pause or just outright stop us in our tracks and maybe bring us to our knees.

I have just been reading about Paul’s final voyage by sea to Rome. It was not an easy trip due to the fierce storms that arose threatening the ship and the lives of all those on board. One of their solutions was to lighten the load on the ship, hoping this would help the ship to fare better in the storm. This is part of the account of that journey by sea –

“Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the ‘northeaster,’ swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. . . . We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.” (Acts 27:14-19)

This seems pretty drastic to me. Didn’t they need the things they were throwing overboard into that stormy sea? Or was their choice between their possessions and their lives? By giving up some of their “things” they were hoping to save their lives. Seems like a reasonable trade off to me. After all, I read these words in Luke –

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:25)

Those on the ship sailing with Paul were definitely willing to part with some things if it meant keeping their ship afloat and therefore themselves alive in the middle of the storm. But the storm continued. They had more choices to make. I read what they did next –

“When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.” (Acts 27:38)

So they continued to lighten the load by throwing overboard whatever was still weighing the ship down. In this case it was food! Now food seems pretty important but if they drowned in the sea, I guess they wouldn’t need the food anyway. Gives new meaning to the phrase “traveling light” doesn’t it?

Which is a goal of mine whenever I travel – to travel light – to travel with as little as possible, just the necessities, so I don’t have a lot of unnecessary stuff weighing me down. So just how much stuff do I need to take with me when I travel anyway? For me, the length of the journey often determines how much I think I will need to carry with me. However, there is also the inevitable “accumulation factor” which I always forget to include in my calculations, meaning I am going to accumulate additional things along the way, whether by my intentional shopping for souvenirs etc. or simply because I will automatically, unintentionally acquire things as I move through life. These will consist of physical things of course, but also of relationships, memories, emotional, mental and spiritual additions that will be added as I continue on my life’s journey.

But what about my life’s journey? It certainly consists of more than just travel by ship as the apostle Paul was doing, or by “planes, trains and automobiles” (a favorite movie title). My life’s journey, as is yours too dear reader, is one that is impossible to adequately pack for due to the fact that I don’t know what lies ahead. (only God does) I can’t possibly know, but it is sure to include all kinds of weather – storms, adversity, mountains, valleys, feast and famine, drought and flood, scarcity and times of plenty. How can I possibly pack for all contingencies that my entire life’s journey will most certainly include?

I think Abraham faced this very same situation. However, he didn’t let worries or indecision over what to pack for his life’s journey stop him from answering God’s call. He just packed it all! I don’t think this is a good example of traveling light but who am I to criticize Abraham? I read this account of Abraham’s response to God’s invitation –

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;’ . . . So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. . . . He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.” (Genesis 12:1-5)

Abraham definitely did NOT pack light! He took ALL his possessions. He even packed people! Besides his wife and nephew, he took “the people he had acquired in Haran” meaning, his servants. Of course, there were no grocery stores along the way, so the fact that Abraham took all his flocks and herds of animals with him on this trip was necessary if they were going to have food to eat as they traveled and food when they arrived at their destination.

Lot also was not traveling light. He had his family, his flocks and herds and his servants with him as well. Because of this, the two men did eventually part ways, going in opposite directions so each of them could have enough land to support their animals and their possessions. I know Abraham had a lot to carry with him because I read this about him-

“Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.” (Genesis 13:2)

But that was then. Today we have grocery stores and I have a credit card. Surely, I don’t need to carry everything with me as I journey through this life? If I run out of toothpaste, I can find a place to buy some more, right? After all, when Jesus sent His disciples out, He gave them these instructions –

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.’ So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.” (Luke 9:1-6)

Wow! Now that is truly traveling light! No change of clothes, no credit card, no snack for the road – this required his disciples to completely trust Him and then to obey Him. And they did. So, what travel instructions has my Heavenly Father given me? Well, I read this –

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Ok, so there are things I don’t need to carry with me because they are hindering and entangling me – things such as sin and whatever things burden and therefore hinder me in this race I am running, such as fear, anxiety, bitterness, jealousy, selfishness, greed, grief, unforgiveness – the list is long. BUT – these are all burdens I can choose not to carry with me. I don’t have to carry them. There is One who will carry them for me.

“Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19)

I am told what to leave behind and I am told what to put on for the journey. Remember going to summer camp and getting a packing list of exactly what to bring? It was always very specific ie bug repellant, flashlight, (batteries) rain poncho, hiking boots, sun screen, hat, canteen, (today’s water bottle) and so on. Nothing extraneous – just essential stuff. So what is essential for me today and every day on my life’s journey? Well, my Heavenly Father has given me the list, and He also provides me with what He asks me to put on and to carry with me for the trip –

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Throw off everything that hinders and entangles, put on the full armor – ok, I got it! If I follow these directions, I can be confident as I travel through this life toward my eternal destination that –

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

I already have all that I need! Unlike Abraham, I don’t have to carry it all with me. I can truly travel light. And I can even lighten my load further, by giving my heaviest burdens to my Savior, who has already borne the heaviest burden of all for me, that of my sin. Jesus took that one to the cross for me, so that I am set free to run this life race for Him burden free.

And I will do just that. I will continue to lighten my load as I travel, casting my cares on my Heavenly Father, confessing my sin, forgiving others, generously sharing instead of accumulating – trusting God that I have all that I need in Him.

it is in the lightening of the load that I am set free!

sincerely, Grace Day