Waiting Quietly

Lamentations 3:27

"It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

If only my thighs were as thin as my patience. I hate waiting. I like things to move.  I like conflict resolved.  I want projects wrapped up.  Boxes checked. The light is green; it's very green; you bought it, let's drive it, Dude, sitting at the GREEN light in front of me, get off your phone; let's go!

Have I mentioned how much I hate waiting?

I don't know if you're waiting for anything or not; but if you are and it's tough, {Come on, Dude, let's go!}, there is good news for you and me. Not easy news, but good news.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:22-27)

I don't know how to NOT want it wrapped up: her try-outs, his schedule, that appointment, the big decision, those test results, the uncertainties in life. My flesh wants it over/revealed/behind me; yet, swift resolution would deprive me of a real gift, "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

The Lord is good to me.

It is good to seek him.

It is good to wait.

Quietly.

As summer starts winding down, let us wait quietly at the footstool of our Redeemer King. Let us make our thankful petitions known and await His filling.  Let us lay our burdens and take up His light yoke.  Let us abide in Him and He in us. The measure of all the fullness of God.

We are Loved

"I have loved you with an everlasting love."

                                                         Jeremiah 31:3

Isn't it incredible?

Eternal.

Perfect.

Unconditional.

We are loved.

Today, is our last day together. Over the last month we've visited a wedding, a leper, and a virtuous woman. We've beheld God's glory and praised Him in Psalms and singing.  We've been lavished in His love, filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  We've received it and returned it.  We've been the outpouring of it in our sacred homes, ministering to our husbands and children.  We've turned with filled hands to the needy and doled it all out freely. We are walking in His everlasting love.

Isn't it glorious?

Freeing.

Filling.

Unending.

We are loved.

This profound truth is more than I can bear.  It meets me wherever I am.  It is the best canopy over my life. No wonder the psalmist sings for joy in the shadow of His wings! (Psalm 63:7)

Beloved, sing for joy! Praise Him for His everlasting love.  It is a perfect love given freely to an imperfect girl.  To a wife who blows her stack {You just told them we'd take two Chinese boys?} or to a momma who loses her mind {Because you have to have permission to light stuff on fire!}. To a girl who fears for her health or the health of her children--or both. To the girl who longs for her husband to hear her heart.  To the one who worries about finances. And the one who worries about everything. To the one who feels self-sufficient and strong.  And to the weaker one who wrestles with her robe of Strength and Dignity. To the one tanned from vacation and the one who didn't get to take one. To the every girl and the super girl.  To all of us imperfect girls . . . we are loved with an everlasting love.

Let our joyous songs rise to Him this morning. 

We are loved.

The Way He Should Go

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

I heard their giggles.  But it wasn't until after.  My front yard looks festive as I type this.  Toilet paper blows lazily in the summer breeze, and my lawn is dotted with glow sticks--burning embers of last night's secret ambush. Although, the secret part only lasted a short while.  The giggly girls wanted the recipient of their hard work to enjoy his surprise. They rang the bell . . . and then knocked . . . and knocked again. They appeared and reappeared five or six times, giggling as they ran to hide in the bushes between attempts. Finally, Brody emerged, very grumpy {but very cute} and shooed them all away. They squealed in delight, a gaggle of tween feet smacking down the alley. Sheer joy.

There are many ways to let a boy know you think he's cute. You can have a friend do it.  Or you can text him.  There's also Twitter, Instagram, Vine and Snapchat.  You can smile, wave, and flirt.  And you can toilet paper his house. (Just to name a few.) The way you do it . . . well, that's up to the tween with hearts in her eyes . . . entirely up to her and her giggly gaggle of friends.

{We have been toilet papered many, many times.}

Today's verse reminds me that the way I love and train my children isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. As their parents, the ones with hearts in our eyes, we choose the way that's best.

When my kids were young, I read this verse plainly.  Train up a child in the way he should go...  That way seemed obvious to me. It felt universal--train up my children to love Jesus and follow Him. (It's what we talked about on Friday--teach them what it means to love God, right?)  Training them up, meant saying "no" to inappropriate behavior and redirecting them. It meant teaching them bible verses {oh those sweet, little voices!} and saying our bedtime prayers.  It meant no ice cream before dinner, wash your hands after you go potty, say please and thank you . . . and most of all, it was all the love and snuggles in the world.

It's not quite the same with tweens and teens; is it?

I'm guilty of hopping on bandwagons, and I've got the bruised knees to prove it. I change it up a little every time I'm inspired by a Huff Post article, a Jen Hatmaker blog, a Lisa Clark Tweet . . . I've made sticker charts, goal boards, gratitude journals, chore jars, and the list goes on . . . all sheer inspiration from godly, wise sources! And I thank God for ALL they've taught me! I am a better mom for it!  Ultimately though, I am not as funny as Jen Hatmaker.  I am not as wise as Lisa Clark.  I don't have the voices of James Dobson, Robert Wolgemuth, and Beth Moore in my head.

But I have the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, God knows the way to their hearts. The effective means of discipline.  The perfect words of encouragement.  Their love languages.  He knit them and formed them together. They are His masterpiece. Let's go to Him. This morning, let's pray for wisdom in how to train our children.  Let's ask God for His eyes and mind to really "see" our children today. To love them as they need to be loved.  To pour forth all that He gives as we make our requests known with sheer gratitude. And let's listen. He will whisper the way--and it will always align with His Word. And our children, they will not depart from it when they grow old.

Teach Them Diligently

Deuteronomy 6:4-7a

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons..." 

I keep writing and re-writing this devotional. It's uncomfortable for me.  It's easy for me to write about Jesus and what a relationship with Him is like.  I can talk New Testament, grace-based, Jesus-is-my-Savior all day long; but, when it comes to "Old Testament God" and His commandments, I stumble.  I don't like legalism and hate anything that smacks pharisee.  So I tread lightly.  And I try to wriggle out of taking on the hard things.  It's cowardly and "pleaser-ish" on my part.  So I'm going to try to push through.  

{Gulp}

There's only One God, and He's ours. He commands us to do two things in today's passage: Love Him with all we've got and teach our kids to do the same. 

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." 

Awesome--and also, a pretty tall order. If I love Him with all my heart, He's the only one who gets all of me. If I love Him with all my soul, it's an inward sincerity (not just in word) to want to know Him. If I love Him with all my might, it's a strong love; I'm giving Him everything I've got. 

That kind of love should regularly cost me; shouldn't it?

We worship the One true God, but my cashier friend at Kroger doesn't; she worships Allah. She is wrapping up her month-long fast of Ramadan on July 28th. She has been fasting from sun up till sun down every day for nearly a month . . . while she works all day long with food. (Both her children have been fasting too, by the way.) 

I feel convicted.

Have we lost sight of LOVING God with our TOTAL devotion? Are we distracted by swim lessons and church camp and vacations and the SnoCone Lady? Is it just too hot outside? I've got a few excuses, dismissals, distractions, diversions, and procrastinations in me.  Just a few. Thousand.

Today, let's LOVE HIM.
Today, let's teach our children to LOVE HIM.

God's Word says, "Teach them diligently."  The word diligently is translated /shanan/ and means "sharp." In this passage it's a perfect consecutive verb meaning to continuously sharpen, whet, incise, and pierce. This is a deliberate, continuous act--that we teach our children what it is to fully love God.

There's never a wrong time to teach them to love him. It's important to God--so it should be important to us. His Word ensures so...

When we sit, stand, lie or rise--and when we're at home or not at home. Sooooo that's pretty much all the time.  And if we can't remember, He adds, remind yourself with jewels, ties, anything on our hands or face--the two places we and others will check it out.  Oh, and one more thing! We should write it on the outside of our homes because we're not hiding this Faith of ours--we're owning it.

I told you it's a tough one.  I've already edited it (again) this morning. Thing is, it's not legalistic. It's a relationship.  It's remembering that we have the most wonderful relationship with Yaweh. That He fills us, sustains us, equips us, and delights us.  And we are giddy, bubbling over--and so we share this love of ours.  We share it with our children. In big and small ways, we purposefully, diligently teach them how to love God. And that's something we can do on the way to get a snow cone. I get peach. Always peach.  You?

Home Sweet Home

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! 

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 

You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them 

when you sit in your house and 

when you walk by the way and 

when you lie down 

and when you rise up.

 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand 

and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Her flower beds are lush and her climbing vines are so romantic. When I walk up to Lori's home, I take in how beautiful it is. Truly gorgeous. And although I love her house, it's her home I truly love . . . because I know I am entering the home of a family who loves the Lord.  I know this because I know the Dunns.  If I was a solicitor, I would know this because it's posted on a small plaque on the front of their door. Is it Joshua 24:15? {I should double-check with Lori.} "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Whatever the scripture, their love for the Lord is literally written on the doorpost of their home. And lived out in their lives.

I have many friends whose homes reflect their devotion to God. I nearly fell over at Heather's house last fall--that banner above the hearth! I want to move in with the Grays, please; their home is pure love and joy and Canton and giggles.  And I can't get a bottled water from Shannon's fridge without seeing her cheery Scripture posted on the doors. Isn't it wonderful how our homes reflect what we value most? Framed pictures of those whom we adore, stacks of worn and read books, baskets of sweet fruit to devour, pillows crushed beneath the weight of the dog, this morning's coffee cups in the kitchen sink.  Our homes are sacred.  They are our sanctuary. 

It is here, in our homes, where so much of this passage takes place.  It's where we teach our children diligently about loving God. It's where we sit together for dinner and thank Him for our day.  Where we take a walk in our neighborhood and admire His artistry in nature. Where we sleep in His peace, and rise in new mercies.  Where we dress our kids in God's armor and slip into our garments of Strength and Dignity. It's where His Word is written on the doors of our homes, or on the fridge, or Expo-scribbled on the mirrors. It's here, where we show our children who God is--and why we love Him so.  

Home sweet home, indeed.

And, praise God, it's not perfect because there's lemonade on the floor, and so there are a kajillion fruit flies. And the "shoe soup" pile is growing at the bottom of the stairs (whose kids' shoes are those, anyway?). The laundry is overflowing, and there is not one square of toilet paper in this house ... but it's the STUFF OF LIFE. It's home. And it shouldn't be perfect.  Because Deuteronomy 6 isn't about perfect.  It's about being a family who loves the Lord. And  who love one another. And it's about parents who raise their children to know and love this amazing God, who hand-picked you to be a family.

Let's delight in our homes today, dear friends. We can praise God for fruit flies and stinky shoes and {yes} even laundry. As we settle into our day today and surrender our lives to the Lord, let's beseech Him, fill our homes.  Fill them, Lord, with laughter and joy.  Fill them with peace.  Fill them with silly memories and snuggles and love.  Fill them with compassion and serving.  Fill them with teaching moments.  Fill them however you desire, Lord. Amen.

I'm off to Costco for a whole lot of toilet paper.
And also, how do you kill fruit flies?

A Fruitful Vine

Psalm 128:1-4

"How joyful are those who fear the LORD—all who follow his ways! 
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! 
Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. 
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.
That is the LORD’s blessing for those who fear him."

"Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table." It's one of my absolute favorite verses. It embodies everything I hold closest to my heart . . . my marriage, my family, my home, my table. You too? (Of course!)

Today, we begin the transition from wives to mothers in our week of devotions.  We hold our empty hands before the throne of Grace and beg Him fill us.  Today, we are joyful, for we are women who fear the Lord and follow his ways! 

As wives...
The King James Version translates verse three this way, "Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house" (italics, mine). I love Matthew Henry's observation of this translation in his bible commentary, "Her place is by the sides of the house, not under-foot to be trampled on, nor yet upon the house-top to domineer...but on the side of the house, being a rib out of the side of the man." {Isn't that soooo good?}

Look to the man who fears the Lord, and behold his fruitful wife alongside him, flourishing! Let's pause here to pray for our husbands--that they might fear the Lord.

As moms...
Our children will be vigorous (got boys!?) young olive trees as they sit (got girls!?) around our tables.

There is a gathering. A family coming together.  Here, the family sits around the table.  There is food and warmth and bonding.  There is eye contact.  Laughter.  Gentle-ribbing. Encouragement.  The day's highs and lows.  Here, it is safe. Here, it is home.

Beloved, as we step into our week as mothers, let's gather our olive shoots and God-fearing men to the table.  Let it wash over you. Soak in the blessing of our families.  And be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God!

Measuring Sticks

Proverbs 31:28-30

Her children stand and bless her.

    Her husband praises her:

29 

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

    but you surpass them all!"

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;

but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

I want to be HER. 

Proverbs 31 tells us she is trustworthy, never spiteful, generous, a lovely knitter, a business gal, up before dawn cooking, sleeves rolled up, never lazy, a great saver, a clothing maker, a hard worker, a wise shopper, crafty and creative, charitable and generous, a non-worrier, looks good in purple, a wonderful mom, the best wife, full of kind words and wisdom and the fear of the Lord. It is suggested [in The Message] that she be "given everything she deserves and festooned with praises."

I am so far from HER.

My dossier would read more like Judith Voirst's,  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. 

And, also, purple is not my color.

If I had bangs I would be all dramatic and defeated and, I would blow them up in a huff and let them scatter across my eyeballs right now. Phewwwwt!  

Unless it was still 1989, and then they'd look like this. Those puppies weren't going anywhere, folks.

You're welcome. 

We needed a little comic relief.   Because, honestly, if this Wife of Noble Character is our measuring stick, I'm flat-out discouraged. Keeping up with the Joneses is nothing compared to her.  I simply can't do it.

And neither can SHE.

She chooses one thing, and the rest is added: She chooses to fear the Lord. She is the picture of WISDOM, opening her hands and letting God fill her. 

(She has to . . . because, I'm pretty sure the hubs made her crazy too. Maybe he forgot to milk the cow or wash the donkey or something. Maybe while he was sitting with his buddies at the gate, looking so fine, she was at home sewing linens for winter with babies hanging off her breasts and toddlers begging for more corn or whatever.)

To be a virtuous woman, a wife worthy of praise, we need only fear the Lord. His Word says it again and again and again (Proverbs 1:9, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7): the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Look back up at verse 30. She is praised for what? Fearing the Lord.

She isn't our measuring stick. (And neither is your neighbor. Or your carpool buddy.  Or any "perfect" girl you know. Because that girl is a unicorn or a yeti or a UFO or whatever other fictitious icon pops into your beautiful brain.) We don't need measuring sticks, girls.  Got one? Snap it over your knee and break it in two--Kapow! 

This is about us--and God. He loves us so much He painted us the portrait of wisdom in the Wife of Noble Character. She is not a measuring stick or a how-to book. She is the embodiment of wisdom.  She is open, hands lifted for filling. She is our inspiration and admiration. She is a woman who fears the Lord. Let the festooning begin!

Teach us, Lord, to fear you and fill us with your wisdom, I pray. Amen.

Clothed

Proverbs 31:25

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

It is one of the first verses I remember memorizing as a teenager.  My mom showed it to me like it was a hidden treasure--an oyster revealing its pearl. She pressed her bible into my hands--warm, worn, buttery leather folding over itself--and there among the tattered and crinkly pages, "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she smiles at the future." She traced it carefully with her hands, pressing its truth into each fingertip. Smiling brightly, she gave me the gift of Proverbs 31:25, praying it over me.  

The same verse hangs cheerily on Caroline's walls. Her very own pearl to treasure. Such wisdom in each word for our children, for ourselves.

The virtuous woman wears strength and dignity. She is robed in it.  Clothed and joyous in betrayal, bewilderment, brokenness, emptiness, weakness, illness, death, fear, and uncertainty. Beloved, whatever your struggle is in your home, your marriage, your life--it is covered.

The putting on of it. Is any garment more lovely than STRENGTH and DIGNITY?

Wearing strength and dignity is a decision. Willful.  Purposeful. Powerful. A blessing to our husbands, our children, ourselves. An act of worship in the way we live--especially in a culture that has traded strength for tolerance and dignity for exhibitionism.

Want the best version of yourself for your husband? Fumbling for the key to fill your home with joy and faith? You need only step into your spiritual closet and put on the garment of strength and dignity . . . not only does it lend confidence for tomorrow: it is far more timeless than anything you'll find on Pinterest. 

Now go get dressed!

Law of Kindness

Proverbs 31:26 (AMP)

She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, 

and on her tongue is the law of kindness 

[giving counsel and instruction].

As bible study girls, we're good at this--with one another.  Come visit us any time we gather, and you will hear godly wisdom, kindness, counsel, and encouragement.  We're experts at building one another up and often leave fuller than we came. We're pretty amazing at this with our children too.  Sometimes, anyway... when we're not yelling at them for the science explosions they conduct in our kitchen; or, when we are honest-to-goodness trying not to grab the door, the handle, the seat, or the dashboard as they learn to drive. We spend a ton of time with our kids, and we give them wisdom and counsel and instruction day-in, day-out. 

But our husbands?

Um.

I don't know if they're onto us or not, but we all know (better to whisper, I think) that our husbands need us.  Of course God gave them a helper.  We didn't get one; they did. Ahem. Do I have godly, skillful wisdom? You betcha.  Amazing counsel and instruction? More than he'd like. How else would he know how to change the filters and put batteries in the remote? But it's the middle of this little Oreo of a bible verse that gets me: 

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

Well, let me say it this way: click here, dear sister, click right here!

As we extend, open, reach, send and spread forth these blessings to our beloveds, as we greatly enrich their lives, and as we bless them with skillful, godly wisdom and instruction--let's get one thing down: THE CENTER OF THE OREO COOKIE IS THE BEST PART. THE STUFF OF LIFE.  IT'S WHERE IT'S AT. THROW OUT THE OREO AND CALL IT WORTHLESS, IF THERE'S NO SUGARY, INSANELY WONDERFUL FILLING.

Kindness tastes sweet.

It's the best part.

Let's be law-abiding bible study girls.  Holy Spirit, help us love our husbands with the law of kindness, I pray. Now go be sweet to your guy! Be the DOUBLE STUF OREO. 

I'm hungry. Bye.

Greatly Enriching

Proverbs 31:10-12 (AMP)

A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

How's your spiritual yoga going? Are you opening and reaching? Wonderful!  Let's look to our example in Proverbs 31 again today so we can be filled before extending. Isn't this passage beautiful beyond words? What amazing praise of her...

The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently

He relies on and believes in her securely

He has no lack, no need

She comforts

She encourages

She does him only good as long as she is alive

Holy Spirit, you've given us the most beautiful picture of a wife, whom you esteem.  It's a tall order.  We absolutely can not do it without you.  Will you help us to see ourselves clearly as we look over your Word?  Humble us and show us where we need to grow? Speak to us now, I pray.

The New Living Translation sums it up in verse 11, "She will greatly enrich his life." Do you greatly enrich your husband's life? I struggle with this.  I nag, criticize, tear down; I think I have a better way, and I'm not shy in communicating it. It's prideful.  Awful. Depleting.  Definitely not enriching. What about you? Where do you struggle?  

Let's sit for a spell and go over each attribute.  Scale of 1-10, where are you?  Feeling brave? Ask your husband for insight--Which one of these do I need to work on?  Pray over it. Pray for opportunities to change.  

Let's not forget the leper!  He was radically transformed. He never had another symptom once Jesus' hand met his. God can do a permanent work in us.  Pray it, Sister! Believe it! Now let's go greatly enrich his life!

She Opens, She Reaches

Proverbs 31:20 (AMP)

She opens her hand to the poor, yes, 

she reaches out her filled hands to the needy 

[whether in body, mind, or spirit].

We've already met three times this month, and have only two Tuesdays stretched out in front of us this July.  SLOW. DOWN. SUMMER. Why, oh why, does it go by so fast?

Let's linger and look back.  Our first week together we delighted in being utterly filled.  Jesus' miracle   at the wedding in Cana reminds us that he fills to the brim--and always with His very best. His abundance washes over us, redeeming love spilling over and streams of  Living Water surge forth. 

Our second week together we basked in the fullness of his love. Do you have a dog? Does he find that sliver of warm sunshine and collapse in all its glory? Mine too. That was us last week.  Rolling around in how long and high and wide and deep his love is for us. We worshipped him for it, and rejoiced as children of God. And then we caught a glimpse of the leper--of Jesus' love and healing work in us, and the transforming power of His grace, we were reminded to lift up our humble assurance--and obey.

Is your tank being filled?  The Holy Spirit is filling mine, and I continue to pray we will all know what it is to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Let's keep praying this for one another!

This week, we are shifting gears. We've been poured into for weeks, and now we'll start pouring forth into others.  Remember the virtuous woman? She extends her filled hands to the needy.

As we lean into Jesus to fill us, let's pour forth all that He gives.

To. Our. Husbands.

Girls, come on, you can't be surprised by this? We're talking poor and needy here.  We've all seen our husbands emotionally bankrupt. They need us to fill them.  For most of us, our husbands are the family's primary provider.  They carry boulder-sized burdens we can't imagine.  The stress pulls down hard and turns dark hair grey. They ache when they rise, and are depleted when they return home. Let's fill them.

In verse 20, the Virtuous Woman does two things: she opens and she reaches. As we focus on our husbands this morning, let's ask God to open us and help us reach out. For some of us, it's a cake walk.  Our marriages are sailing along, and open is where it's at.  For others of us, opening can be really tough. We've been wounded, ignored, dismissed, undervalued, and depleted. God redeems. Beloved, He can heal.  So open anyway.  You don't have to open to your husband if it's too hard--be open to the Holy Spirit.  Let Him do the work in, through, and for you! Now reach.  Regardless of how we feel, let's reach.  Let's sacrifice.  Let's give. Let's put out.  KIDDING! (Well, sort of. It does say in "body, mind or spirit" after all). Let's pour into our husbands however the Spirit leads.

Today, we will open and reach. Let's see what the Lord does through us. Living Water, sisters, streams of Living Water pour forth!

Secluded Places

Mark 1:40-45

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. 

Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy.This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

Small changes in translation and gospel remind us how tender the scene is... The leper kneels in front of Jesus--bible scholars note that he prays to him. Do you see the leper's faith rise ever-so quickly and fall off his tongue with humble assurance? "If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean. And oooohhhh, look at Jesus' beautiful response, "Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him." Isn't that soooo like our Jesus?  Oh how he loves us!

But there's more to the story, isn't there?  And I wonder if we can see ourselves in the second half as easily as we did in the first?

Jesus warns the leper not to tell anyone--but to worship with his offering, which would testify to God's miraculous work in his life. Excitedly, however, the leper skips  off and tells everyone anyway. 

{Sighhhh}

I can hardly blame the leper.  He was out of his ever-loving mind!  Everything about him is whole and perfect.  He can touch people!  He can walk and breathe.  His flesh is smooth. He can see and smell and run and leap and shout and not be shunned.  What Jesus has done is wonderful!  He will never be the same.  And so, he runs off to make Jesus famous! 

How often I run right out of God's will with the best of intentions--failing to see that His ways are higher than mine.  Um, because, of that whole He is sovereign and rules the universe truth. What he tells me to do matters. Obedience matters to the Lord.

So the leper runs off to make Jesus famous, and what's the result? See that last part of our passage? "As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere.  He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him." 

Look at the outcome, where once the leper lived in seclusion, now our Savior does. {Wow!} His ministry flourishes none-the-less; because, let's face it, Jesus doesn't actually need us to make him famous. As we wrap up our quiet time this morning, let's be still for a moment. Here, we can stay and obey. We don't want to run ahead of him and run right out of His best plan. 

Jesus, speak to me, and help me hear you so I can obey you. What do you have for me today? Please fill and equip me, widen the path beneath me so my ankles won't turn!  Help me stay in your presence and obey your will. I love you. Amen.

If You Are Willing

Luke 5:12-13

"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. 

When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him."

Leprosy affects one's entire body. It's a lot to take in: the tumors and twisted limbs, blindness, nerve damage, one's inability to breathe. It separates one from family and friends, work, and worship. And like a thief, it robs, kills and destroys. 

It is also a metaphor for our sins. So small at first yet altogether destructive, contagious, and numbing. No wonder Jesus loved healing lepers.

Remember the wedding? Poof! Water became wine.  We don't exactly know how it happened; but here, we know . . .

"Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man."

Pure love.

It's almost too much! The leper receives a touch from Messiah's hand and is utterly transformed. The hands at work in Creation. The hands that formed us in our mother's wombs. The hands upon whom we are engraved. Those hands. Stunningly beautiful. 

They reach. 

They touch.  

They transform.

Beloved, do you see yourself in the leper? I do too. We need His touch. Let's approach Him with the same strength, humility and faith the leper embodied. Let's pray together...

Lord, you are beautiful. Thank you for the way you love me.  Thank you for your compassion--for being willing to reach me, touch me and transform me. Like the leper, I confess, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Please do--forgive me for... {Confess to him}. Jesus, I want to be transformed. Please, Holy Spirit, take away the old and give what is new. Specifically, you know I am struggling with {Tell him your spiritual struggle}; will you transform me? Make me clean, I pray. I want to look and live and breathe like I've been touched by you.  Thank you, Lord. You are altogether wonderful. Amen.