A walk outside the bubble...

Against my better judgement I didn't park the car in the middle of the intersection and pull two older teenage boys apart.  Six punches to the side of the head as I felt a skull made with the creators loving hands smash the pavement an equal amount of times.  Parking the car, looking both ways, crossing over. The one whom had given into hate walking away, the mark of a poisoned mind still ringing in the air, reflecting off the buildings, scoffing my, Our presence there.

The intention had been to go to hear of the hope we could offer and form as a community.  Hope.

There was no hope in the teens eyes that had not only had his body assaulted, but his mind, his developing man pride bleeding from the mouth.  I asked facts, so not to damage an already lowly situation.  He cursed, spat, smoked, telling more with his eyes then his mouth. A lower lip quiver, the beginnings of a permanent worry dent on his forehead. I wanted to encase him in a robe that would somehow help him see his value and place in a fallen world.  To show Him the angels that await his ask, and a savior to stand in this place of pain. Before, behind, beside.  The power of a risen Lord.

The meeting of Hope sat behind a smokescreen, and as I identified with parts of truth, the root was empty; or worse maybe, glorifying the one who poisons minds.  I was stunned to hear humans speaking about things they had just discovered that the Family has known for years.  I inwardly smiled, the timeless wisdom carried by those who believe... Given from the one that created the concept of wisdom.  I asked, they answered as lines paralleled the need of every human heart, but the root had been pulled away. In the light such simple truth, In the dark, so many questions.  Choosing not to guide, not to lead, but allow the one who leads best to do so, We left.

Conviction inhaled like a shot of cold air to the mind.  Had I left the world and not known how dark it had become? Had I lived in this bubble, and forgotten to take walks outside?  Knowing the truth in the midst of discussion, then backing away also knowing it is not time to be received takes so much restraint.  Not in this time, not in this place.  How can people not see, when absolutely everything points back to the core of His being, who He is, His nature?  A Christian concept taken secular with the refusal to journey back to the Giver.  It is only the Giver that can then again give.

What a dilemma, being in the world but not of it.  Being light in dark places.  Speaking truth with no returns.  Seeing truth. Tasting and knowing an entirely different world, being placed in this space.  My eyes have been opened, and yet I wonder if they are better off closed.  Set aside for a purpose, apart for His glory. Eyes ever focused on You, needing more walks outside the bubble.

foreign friends

Do you have close friends you wouldn't normally be friends with if you both were not followers of Jesus?  How does this happen?

When I look at the diversity in the people I have bonded with in the last 5 years, I smile.  From people in their 80's to children that are 4.  From East Indian to German. From Catholic to Pentecostal. From complete introverts to people that need to have 5 conversations at once.  Our diversity has made us more like the fullness of our Savior. Our Unity makes us one body under his leadership.

“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.  He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. ”Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death." -Paul in the letter to the Ephesians

One of my favorite relationships was made at the beach one summer.  She gave little eye contact, and spoke even less.  I knew we were meant to be friends, the Father had been very specific.  He had actually taken my hand and drawn me to her. His pull between us was too strong to ignore.  As our children played and other people came in between and around, spirit danced with spirit, and with very few words I came to know her in silence.  Awkwardness became peace, and in an ever so gentle way the introvert was melded with the extrovert, and friendship was made.  I have no history of this "God" friend, I have very few commonalities with her.  Jesus introduced us for the pure purpose of His glory.  The beauty being, we both recognize this, and in a once woman of God lone dance, there is now two.  Thank you, Lord.

"How many of your friends would you not be friends with if you weren't a Christian?"  This was asked of me in my 20's with a negative connotation to prove that believers end up picking up all of the "loosers."  What a sad place to be as a believer. Looking at follow brothers and sisters in Christ with barriers up, lost opportunity lost fellowship with the Father, in His grace and love. I'm sure the Father weeps over such comments, and the searching through His precious faces to label some in the world’s eyes as loosers.

Can you sit at a table with different color, theological backgrounds, human capability, and trust that God has his hands over the others around you?  There is unity in the cross.  There is peace in the cross.  God delights in peace, in unity.  And remember: it is all about God.

 "And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

"For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you." -Paul letter to the Galatians

Attack vs. Sumission

"Not all struggles we have are a direct result of being "attacked" by satan.  Sometimes it is our "failure" to submit to God and put Christ first..." was a text a friend sent to me last night.  Gotta love receiving a text like this when you are in the middle of a frustration temper tantrum with God.  So enlightening, so knowing and telling is a text back...

"Very true."  What is one to say when a tantrum is slowly turned into a melting heart, and the dripping, oosing melding metal is warmed again... burning away accusations from an all too familiar place clung to in times of desperate wisdom needed.

The rightly place pointed finger of blame... as the log is tweezed from my eye, and the Truth is placed back in authority, Jesus whispers... "I know, rest, ask, and it will be given, to overflowing, ask."

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:5-8)

Submission to only God.  Ask expect.  No running around to others asking, seeking.  He waits in anticipation, the Lord looks to strengthen those whose hearts are turned to Him... Why would he not give wisdom? Show the way?  Has my heart been turned to Him?  I had been foolish, and just as the writer of 2 Chronicles states, "at war."

 "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.” (2 Chron. 6:9)

The difficulty with being strong in personality and presentation is one owns strength.  Leaning, rather standing on, no, being carried by and submissive to Jesus, for his yoke is easy to bear.  Being yoked to, as He offers timeless wisdom from all knowledge beyond mans understanding, and I settle for what others... or worse, what I might think or want.  So pathetic, humbled, refocused... then honored.

"29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” ( Matt. 11:29-30)

"For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

Rest for my soul, had it been that long?  A post Christmas refocusing had been needed... a calling from my Lord, not a self-forced New Years resolution call.  A new call to complete surrender, free falling and rest in His arms.

Father, I am nothing in this place and time.  All that matters in your will be done, and your glory revealed.  I am so sorry for seeing myself as more than I am.  For trusting my eternal eyes when I have access to yours.  Forgive me.  Help me to always know my place in the span of eternity. Open the eyes of my heart.  Help me to know wisdom beyond my understanding, teach me your ways, give me a never ending hunger for your deepest desires. Include your people in them, do not pass us by.  Awaken your bride from this deep slumber.  In Jesus name, and for His sake, and the sake of your kingdom come, amen.