joyful

When the Soul Rejoices

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

She was a teenager. Betrothed to marry a young man. Basically, they were in a legally binding contract which required them to wait a year to formalize their marriage. They were not to spend much time together or consummate their marriage until it was formalized. But she was visited by an angel who told her she would have a child. And she found herself pregnant without ever sleeping with a man. And without formalizing her marriage. This was not acceptable in her culture. She could pay with her life.

Imagine the scorn and ridicule this young woman faced as she walked the dusty streets of the village. As her belly grew, so did the rumors. The taunts from the townspeople may have drowned out the promises the angel gave her. The friends she once had may not have been so friendly now that she was with child. She was in uncharted territory. A betrothed young man could choose to have her stoned to death if he didn’t want to live with the embarrassment. To be a pregnant unwed woman was not for the faint of heart. Her social standing and future were hanging on a precarious precipice if the young man who had promised to be her husband backed out of the arrangement. She could be sacrificed, and he would be free to find a more virtuous wife.

She was young. Very young. And the young man, who was a distant descendant of King David, didn’t want to disgrace her. He decided to divorce her quietly. But then the angel who had surprised Mary with the news of her impending motherhood also visited Joseph in his dreams. The child is divinely conceived, he was told. She has not been unfaithful to you. She is faithful to me and to you and will have a son. You will name him Jesus, and he will save his people from their sins.

Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:19-21

This period in Mary’s life was full of tests and trials. Instead of pitying herself, she rose to the challenge set before her. She embraced the will of God and put each foot forward as she walked into an unknown future. As unfamiliar prophetic words were spoken over her, she took it all in stride and remained faithful to the call of God, her heavenly Father. She did not know the trials that lay before her throughout her life. Perhaps she knew the veiled prophecies of the Promised Messiah, but were they truly clear in their meaning? Most likely not. But she walked in faith that God would lead her into each tomorrow as the mother of this holy child.

She visited an older cousin who was also heavy with child. This cousin’s child was to be the voice in the wilderness awakening hearts and minds to prepare for the promised Messiah. The child in the cousin’s womb immediately recognized the babe in Mary’s womb and leapt for joy in his own mother’s body.

The question of Mary’s virtue, which had been suspect in the streets of her hometown, was laid to rest on the night of the babe’s birth. During the months of her pregnancy, her honor was veiled because only she and God were certain of her purity. But the angel’s celebration on that eventful night lifted the veil on any suspicions of her honor. The angels sang at the birth of her child.

Mary had much to ponder in her heart as she relived the events of the past nine months. The angel’s visit and announcement of her pregnancy. The prophecies about the babe to be born. The Roman emperor’s decree for a census. Even the shepherds who came to worship the child. How overwhelming it would be to think that you had just birthed the Savior of the world. There was much to consider in the days ahead.

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! Luke 1:46-47

There are times when we think the events of our lives can’t get any worse. But then they do. Trials of every kind are thrown at us. And it seems as if there are seasons full of pitfalls and unexpected situations that are never ending. One incident after another seems to threaten the stability and security we thought was ours. As followers of Christ, we have a choice as to how we will face the challenges of life.

Will we continue to find joy in the God of our forefathers even when we don’t find joy in our everyday life? Do we only seek immediate gratification and fulfillment? Do we still find joy in the Lord when life changes instantly? Or, are we willing to find joy in the long obedience of following our Savior’s footsteps regardless of where those footsteps lead?

Sure. Mary’s tests at her young age were monumental, but they paled in comparison to the challenge of seeing her firstborn hanging on a Calvary cross. Did she fully understand that he would rise from the dead on the third day? Or, did she believe he was lost to her forever as his broken body was placed in the tomb?

As she stood watching her son die on that cross, did she recall the Magnificat she sang as the babe John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb? Did Mary recall the joy of being chosen to bear the Savior of the world now that his mission was being fulfilled? At what cost did she rejoice as a teenager? And did she still rejoice in the agony of seeing her son tortured and killed thirty odd years later?

Our momentary troubles can seem overwhelming and life altering. What once may have been cause for joy in our lives may have turned into a deepening sorrow as time passes. Can we still claim joy in the Lord during the passing test of time? Or, do we only declare joy when we get what we want?

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” Luke 1:46-55

Thanksgiving Isn’t Just for the Good Times

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Is it hard to be thankful this year? Have things not gone well for you? Did you have your heart set on a certain type of year, and it never materialized? Did everything that could possibly go wrong go wrong? Did all the goals you set for this year crumble at your feet? Do you feel like life is worse than it’s ever been?

Have you stopped at any point this year and looked for the good moments? Have you paused long enough to count your blessings?  Have you looked past the ugly and seen beauty? Even for a moment? After all. The daffodils bloomed in the spring. The lilacs and peonies still offered their sweet fragrance. The leaves on the trees didn’t fail to do their job.  The apple trees and grapevines produced their bountiful harvest. The sweet corn tousled. The wheat was harvested in the fall. Life went on, not as usual, but it continued.

Our country isn’t at war. And yet it is.  We’re at war with ourselves.  And it’s the worst battle we’ve ever faced. We face an uncertain future like never before. We’re unprepared. Yet God is in control. God’s will is being accomplished.  For that we must be thankful. For if we aren’t thankful that God is working during the tough times, why would we expect him to work in the good times? Where is our trust?

This year, chickens have produced eggs and cows have provided milk. The sun rose each morning and set each evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served in most every home.  Every day. Life does go on.

Why does life have to be good in order for us to be joyful?

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Some say that desperate times call for desperate measures.  How about we desperately seek God? How about desperately looking for things to be thankful for? How about desperately trying to please God? Above all else. 

Lest we think this year is wasted and useless, it is not.  It is far from that. Oh. It has been a trying year for many. But we have gained much from these daunting times. More time with our family. A slower pace of life. We’ve learned that there are storms we must sit back and wait out. We’ve learned there really are some things that are out of our control.  We’ve learned to just wait. We’ve realized the need for community is really a need. We’ve always taken it for granted. We’ve also taken for granted those who serve the sick and the poor, the needy and the lonely. Those workers are so needed and appreciated. Much more than they will ever know.

I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I wanted. Now I know 2020 is the year I appreciate everything I have.

anonymous

We can learn to find joy in the smallest of things. Things we once took for granted. The chance to actually see someone smile without a mask. The fist bump from a friend.  The copier at work actually working. The neighbor stopping by to deliver chocolate chip cookies. The beautiful flowers sent by a dear friend. The unexpected nap on a rainy afternoon. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be good.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

It would be easy to focus on everything that went wrong this year. But if we just take a minute to search for what went right, our perspective on life will change. Oh. The future still seems uncertain. There are obstacles to recovery. But hope is on the horizon. Without hope, we might as well give up. But God is good, even when life isn’t. God is with us. In the midst of the trials and fears and uncertainty, God is true and certain. God is sovereign and powerful. He hates evil and loves good. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. For that we can be thankful. Let’s put our hope in him.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord ! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬19

Uncharted Waters

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

John was sent to live in exile on the island of Patmos as a result of anti-Christian persecution. His crime: he preached the word of God and he lived his life as a testimony for Jesus. He lived and survived alone on that island. All alone.

But he wasn’t alone.

During John’s exile, God was close to him. God was all he had. God spoke to him through a vision. John wrote down everything he saw in the vision. The name of his book is Revelation. It is the last book of the Bible. It’s a unique book full of visions and prophecies. God spoken words in a time of aloneness but never alone.

What does a man do all alone on an island? How does he spend his time? How does he survive? What goes through his mind? Will he be bored with only God to talk to? Does he have God’s word stored in his heart? Can he can dig through the reservoir of his mind and find strength and comfort from his knowledge of Scripture? When all has been lost, is his faith in God alone enough?

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

We may feel like we’re living in exile at this moment in history. But we’re not. Some of us are living with family. Some are alone, but they keep in touch with family and friends. If you know someone who is truly alone, reach out. Check on them.

This time in history is a first for everyone. Uncharted waters for even the best of us. Now is the time to gather your family close. Those who live with you. Those you can be with. Keep in touch with family and friends. The contact means so much.

Oh. Things have changed. We can no longer shop in stores. visit a salon. eat in a restaurant. go to a movie. Sure. These closings are temporary, but they’re new to us. We’ve never experienced anything like this. This change will continue without an ending in sight. Who knew?

Private funerals. Private weddings. Even close family members can’t attend. Hospital patients alone without family or visitors. Everyone needs to stay in place.

Oh. It’s easy to be frustrated. My hair appointment was only 5 days away when it was canceled. My grocery store was out of potatoes. The bakery that makes my dogs favorite treats has been out of them for weeks. I’ve had to start working from home. Petty inconveniences.

Lean in. They say. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Look across the room at the one who stole your heart. Think back to the reason they won your heart. And pause. Remember the moments of first love. And recall the reasons you chose to say “I do”. Make the most of this time with your loved ones.

Watch your children as they do homework. Oh. You may have never planned to home school, but now you are. Make the most of it. Be patient. Extend grace. Show mercy. Have fun. Let these days be the good times your kids look back on when they are older.

Allow yourself to become bored. This could spur you on to learn a new hobby. A hobby that could be life changing. Or not. But who knows what change can do for you. Be willing to explore. Read a book. Take a walk. Try a new recipe. Let your hair grow. You have no choice in the matter. Embrace it.

Pay it forward to the grocery worker. Pharmacy staff. Delivery drivers. Bankers. Healthcare workers. First responders. City, county, state and national employees. Everyone needs a break every now and then. Don’t judge a person’s politics. Embrace differences. But keep your convictions.

Lasting self confidence is built in pure faith in God. Trusting and obeying God in the hard times of life builds a strong reliance on him that produces an unmatched strength of character. 

In Christ alone I place my trust. 

This period of isolation may be the time in your life where you reap the greatest blessings from God. This may be the season where you find life’s true meaning. Trust the master of the uncharted waters to lead you to new depths in your walk with him. 

Read a book. Study the Bible. Memorize Scripture. Live out the Beatitudes. Honor those in authority. Pray. Really pray.

That money you would typically spend at a restaurant or sports event or concert. That money you would use to pay for a haircut or a massage or a pedicure. All that discretionary money you aren’t spending right now. Put it into savings. Or give to a needy nonprofit organization. Send an extra check to your church. Give to others in need. After all, how many new clothes or shoes do you need if you’re staying home all day? How much food or toilet paper do you need to hoard when others can’t pay their rent? How do you expect charities to help when they don’t have the funds coming in? How is a church supposed to help in times of crisis if believers aren’t faithful in giving their tithes and offerings?

Be generous. Be the giver. Be the gift. Chart new waters.