May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Psalm
121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
I’m
thankful for GPS, Global Positioning Systems, like Google Maps.
Although I’ve improved with age, I tend to be directionally impaired. Before GPS saved me from my wandering ways, I depended on a map or written directions. I still prefer landmarks to highway numbers, and I still get my left and right mixed up. But I’ve learned to listen to the little voice inside my phone as she speaks directions, and I’ve learned to read road signs.
Years ago,
before GPS was an app on our smartphones, we owned a box we’d attach to the
dash, I think it was a Garmin. I named her Vera. Vera took me wherever I needed
to go, unless I didn’t listen.
The key to overcoming
my impaired directional instincts
was paying attention and
following Vera’s lead.
As I wander
about in life, I need direction. When I go off on my own, I get lost and
stumble. But when I lift my eyes to the one who leads my way, I follow a better path. There may be roadblocks or construction, but Jesus walks me through it. He’s not going to take me on a trail that leads to destruction. Instead his
voice gives me the guidance I need on the rocky roads of life.
He whispers
to me from the Bible and answers my prayers. He speaks to me through trusted family
and friends and helps me navigate choppy water.
Jesus is the
best GPS, God’s Perfect Son, to follow. He will never lead us down the wrong
path. Instead, he’ll guide us on the road God created us for.
Seek Jesus as
he maps out the road to heaven.
Luke 7:44-47
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?
I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she
wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not
give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped
kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured
perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been
forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little
loves little.”
Washing another person’s feet is a humbling experience.
At church
camp, the counselors and teachers taught us to experience the times that Jesus
lived. In Jesus day, folks wore sandals or walked barefoot on the dusty roads.
They didn’t wear the latest model of tennis shoes or work boots. As a greeting
and welcome to visitors, the host provided water and washed the feet of their
guests.
Our camp teacher
paired us up, and we removed each other’s shoes and rinsed each other’s feet. I’ll
admit as a teenager I thought it a bit weird, but the act increased my understanding
of the ancient times.
When a
Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, he failed to provide water for Jesus’ feet.
Jesus never complained or questioned, but when the woman who stood in the shadows
approached him, he welcomed her. She bowed before him and cleansed his feet
with her tears. The tears may have been carried in a jar where she collected
them, or she may have cried over him. Either way, she humbled herself before Jesus
and as an act of worship poured perfume over his feet.
The most beautiful
part of the story is Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. Because the woman humbled
herself and believed in Jesus as Savior, he forgave her sins on the spot. She
walked away free of the burden of her past into a life of gratitude and love.
She loved much, because she was forgiven of much.
Jesus arms
are open to invite you in. He loves us so much and wants nothing more than for
us to believe and live for him.
Be the person
who loves much.
1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear
conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior
in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
April 21, 2021 surprised us with about two inches of snow. When
Tim told me to look out the window and see the surprise, I had mixed feelings.
I love snow, but I adore the beauty of spring. Now the plants that thrived with
green wore white coats, and crystal crowns. I hadn’t covered my plants, yet my
lovely lavender tulip survived the unexpected chill, as did the columbine. Many
of the flowers who peaked from the ground could endure the weather, because
their roots dug deep and their stems had soaked in sun. God created spring
flowers with durability, for all kinds of weather.
The unexpected snow made me wonder how prepared I am. 1
Peter says to be ready to give an answer for my faith, and Matthew 24:42-44 says
to prepare my heart for Jesus second coming.
When I’m traveling, I fill up my fuel tank and pack a bag of
snacks. Both prepare me for the trip. But how do I ready myself for the time
someone asks me about Jesus and my faith? I fill my heart and mind with the
wisdom of Jesus and the scripture. I eat the words of the Bible in order to
fill my spiritual tank and increase my understanding of God and grace.
Even as I prepare for the unexpected, what about the
expected. I know Jesus will return to this earth to take his children home,
even though I don’t know the day or hour. Even in not knowing the time, I know
he’s coming. I want to have my heart ready. The hope I have in God and the
promise of eternal life bolster me as his words feed me.
I may not know when Jesus will return. I may not be on this
earth any longer, regardless, my heart and soul need to be ready for that
glorious day.
Be ready for the unexpected and the expected. Jesus is
coming again.