April is here and the showers are already starting here in St. Louis. Flooding is happening throughout our state. As I see the damage on TV and when they show the clips of the water surge tearing down homes, trees, cars and anything in its path, I wonder at its power and how nothing can stop it from going to its ultimate destination. In some ways it is a picture of the church and the way we should flow as His body, following our creator’s direction and destroying any work of the enemy that would try to stop us. Just like the power of the resurrection we celebrate this month. What human mind could fathom the power of the cross the day Jesus hung on it dying for us? Who could have seen the life He was bringing to all who would believe in Him as he said with His final words “It is finished”. Over 2,000 years later we can! Come and experience His love and power with us on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. You will be amazed at the power of His love!
The other morning mine and Maria’s alarm rang out a little before six am and like most mornings, my wife hit the snooze button and made her way over to my side of the bed. As she laid her head on my chest I raised my arm to draw her near to hold her as we both knew we had a few more minutes to lay there before the day started.
We go through the same thing almost every morning, but I have to share with you that often as she makes her way to my side of the bed I am already up and heading on my way to start the day. You see when the alarm goes off I often will be laying there awake in the bed thinking of all the things I must do that day. Many times the list is long. Some mornings I will gently push her away as I get out of bed because the schedule for that day is demanding. One morning after the familiar sound of the alarm going off I began to get up from the bed. Maria had already started moving to my side when I realized, “Wait a second, what am I doing?” I could lay here for a while longer holding my beloved and sharing her warmth and just be still and enjoy the moment or I could get up and get started with my busy schedule. Duh, you would think it would be an easy decision but so often I make the wrong one. I find myself doing the same thing with my walk with Jesus. He calls me to spend time with him, to enjoy his presence, but I ignorantly find myself instead doing things for Him and His kingdom. David Wilkerson once said “I am convinced that God is more interested in winning all of me, than me winning the entire world for Him”. He saved us to restore a broken relationship, not to add to a workforce. I know we all are called to work in his vineyard and we do and we will, but the most important thing we can do is like Mary in Luke, Chapter 10, just sit at his feet and gaze into his face and listen to every word he speaks. Tomorrow morning I know what I am going to do when that alarm goes off…
Scoot over Mary! I just figured out you have the best seat
in the house. I am going to rest in His
presence and in His finished work. How
about you?