unity

Way of Peace

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     When Jesus approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. Luke 19: 41, 42 NASB     

Jesus climbed the dusty, rugged road to Jerusalem. The last few miles of His journey were the steepest. He’d healed the sick, blind, and lame; and, He’d eaten with the outcasts and offenders. He also stooped to bless the children and instructed the crowds with parables, applicable stories of their times. Jesus had called and sent His disciples out to “fish for men.” Then He sent seventy more out in pairs to announce His coming. His mission was simple: 


“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19: 10 NASB

     Jesus drew near to Bethany and Mount Olivet, the olive grove that He’d often fled to for solitude. Rest was found in the shade of the gnarly, twisted trees and their messy, bruised fruit. Bystanders placed their cloaks on a donkey colt for Him to ride on and laid their coats on the road. They praised God and recognized Jesus as their Messiah. Yet, as Jesus approached His beloved city, He wept, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace!” 

     Jesus is the “Way of Peace.”

     The Son of Man walks with us today. He gifts us with His example as He guides us through our valleys and o’er the rough ridges. He leads with humility and compassion, care and concern. Jesus made room for the children, the weak and vulnerable, and His Heavenly Father. When we lay our cloaks down, our rights, ranks, and responsibilities, and choose solitude and rest with the Father, we’re not only revived; but, we’re better able to see His Way of Peace. 

     Peace is born in the shade of the bent, broken, and fallen, the beaten, bruised, and refined. When we are completely undone, the Prince of Peace can have His way. His grace alone saves. Inner calm, contentment, and harmony and reconciliation with others begins with Him. 

     We must let His light in!

Lord, have your way with us.

Lily Mae

  

Step Up

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     In my trouble I cried to the Lord, and He answered me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue . . . too long has my soul had its dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war. Psalm 120 NASB

Psalm 120 is the start of the “Great Hallel,” the Songs of Ascent that recorded the Jew’s upward pilgrimage to Jerusalem where they would gather, feast, and worship their almighty God. The psalmist was fixed on the arduous journey, but lies, deceit, and slander made war against him. False accusations had almost turned him around. A friendly smile may have lifted his spirit. However, he was a stranger in a foreign land, and common courtesy and hospitality had waned.

The setting may seem familiar as suspicions and tensions mount in our post-election days. Like the psalmist, we may doubt our ability to worship God when unity among believers is tenuous. When lies and insults are spewed and pierce like a warrior’s arrows; or, they burn like the fiery coals of a desert tree, we also cry to God for relief. We must “step up” and walk in Truth.

God’s Word and Way is Truth—His commandments protect His glorious name, our hearts, the family unit and honor, Sabbath rest, sanctity of life, and our homes. They are for our well-being. Therefore, we must first examine our intent, beliefs, and actions, according to His Word.

Reconciliation and unity begin with us. We are responsible for how we respond to conflict. Do we listen to understand or to be heard? God’s peace gifts calm, rest, and harmony founded on our knowledge of His grace. God’s love and mercy aren’t based on our current condition or circumstances, for while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Grace triumphs!

In the midst of chaos and injustice, we are called to be peacemakers.

God commands His people to return and repent, time and time again. Confession is the start. We break up the hard, fallow ground and acknowledge our wrongdoing, hurtful words, thoughts, and deeds. We return to God and each other, and we begin again. We gather, rebuild, and restore. Likewise, we shouldn’t trust in numbers—mere men, horses, or chariots. Our God reigns above all! He alone is able to heal our broken homes and churches.

If God’s people unite, there is hope for our hurt and fractured world.

God tests our love and commitment to Him. The pilgrimage is as crucial as the destination. Are we willing to let go of our baggage, the pain, defeats, and failures? Take hold of the lesson, and also hand Him our treasures? God wants our undivided hearts to pursue His purity and peace.      

Return and repent. Step up. Speak peace. 
God will heal our faithlessness!

Although, I find myself near the bottom more days than naught, I’ve learned to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord, and that is a good place to start!

Lily Mae

     “Return, O faithless sons, I will heal your faithlessness.” 
Jeremiah 3: 22 NASB

Mundane Monday

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Mundane Monday

In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the Lord.” And the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like the bowls before the altar. Every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the Lord of Hosts. Zechariah 14: 20, 21 NASB

     Monday’s shadows had greeted me at dawn, the letdown of the mundane after the celebrations, and the preparation, push, and entertainment of the weekend. I was plagued with weariness as I cleared breakfast, and I put our fine china away. And my grandsons seemed to be overcome by the same. The younger child had tripped several times, and the older one had accidentally knocked his trail mix, peanuts, M&M’s, and raisins off the table three times. His gaze had blurred with fatigue while we picked up the castaways and dumped them in the trash. However, I was determined that he would have a snack; and so, we refilled his bowl.

When the forlorn fellow went to add more raisins, and he knocked over the entire box, our eyes locked. Grace won. No words were necessary! In a split second, he awakened with a belly laugh that I hadn’t yet heard that morn. The rattled raisins lifted our countenances. And the mundane became the crescendo!

These are the moments that matter, when we sit cross-legged on the floor and clean the mess. Together! All becomes treasured, the fatigue from our gathering and separating, tipped bowls that clang and clatter, scattered morsels, locked-eyes, smiles, and hands that work in harmony.

Grace permeates our day. . . the start. . . middle. . . and end; but, even more so, our being.

When the Lord returns and reigns on earth, there will be no distinction between holy and secular. Everything will be set apart for the service of the Lord. Everything. Distinguished. Clean. Perfect. Worthy. Purposeful. Even the cooking pots and pans, kitchen utensils, and linens will be sacred.

However, let’s begin now. We can light candles and set out our good dishes and silver for the simple meal, whether we have company or not. The ordinary connection is the festive one; the mundane matters. Besides, each day is an opportunity for sacrifice, an offering of tender devotion and worship of our God.

The Lord sees our gatherings, the collective stories, shared jokes, and hidden undercurrents. He also recalls our loss and suffering, and He is not indifferent. His merciful love heals, restores, and redeems. We are the “apple of His eye,” the most delicate, vulnerable, and useful part. Wanted. Essential. Protected. Therefore, when others harm us, or we harm them, it’s like we’ve damaged the pupil of His eye. He is pained by the infraction. And He will not remain silent.

Take courage. Awaken. Arise.

Do not despise Monday, the day of humble beginnings.

Lily Mae

 

Rejoice in the Lord

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Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Philippians 4: 4,5 (NASB)

Winter was long and lonely, the bitter-cold was reason enough to remain by the wood stove. Tucked inside with a good book or craft, it was easy to hide and hug my coffee mug for warmth. But seasons change.

We rejoice in spring. The promise of the blossom kept our eyes watchful and our steps steady as the days lengthened. With eagerness, we began to clear the lawn of fallen twigs and branches. We also cut down dead trees, planted another weeping willow in memory of a loved one, and added tulips to the rock garden. The bursting hues of eternal hope, purity, and friendship intertwined with our fresh efforts and thoughts.

God desires harmony in our relationships—to be unified, like-minded in cares and concerns, and devoted to the cause of spreading the gospel message of Jesus and His redemptive work. Therefore, we set our mind on our risen Savior, and we seek to know His Word, Walk, and Way. We consider how we think and respond to others, and we choose to slow down and live present. Likewise, we purpose to be gentle.

Read Philippians 4:1-5 and you see. Beloved. Dear one. Brother. Brethren. True comrades. Companions. Sisters in Christ. Fellow workers. My joy and my crown. United in Holy Love. Live in harmony. Forbear with one another. Why? Our Lord is near. Likewise, our testimonies are hindered in the community when we fail to get along. So, we embrace new habits, growth, and opportunities to forgive, gather, share, and serve. And we rejoice in our Lord!

Spring has sprung. Spiritual maturity also reveals buds of trust, love, mercy, and gratitude. God desires unity and peace for believers, and He is faithful to complete what He has started. However, when we don’t know how to support others, or how to fight injustice or mistreatment, or where to begin, we fix our gaze on Christ. We follow His example and gift-wrap humility with grace, mercy, and loving-kindness. We take the hit and turn the other cheek, and we wait. We go where it is uncomfortable; we make a call, walk the extra mile, or write and stamp the letter. And we stand firm in our Lord.

Winter might linger longer in the northeast, but there is always the promise of the awakening. I’m thankful for the spring rain that pops the loyal green and opens the forsythia and my heart. My husband breaks through the dirt and plants new seed. Hope. May flowers will also bloom, the hidden lily of the valley under my porch, vibrant tulips and columbine in our rock garden, and blue Bells by the river.

Rejoice in the Lord! Embrace the rain, and let your gentle spirit be known to all men.   Your kindness will leave a lasting impression.

Lily Mae

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6(NASB)