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
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
The times they are a-changin.’ --Bob Dylan
When my girls were young and they stayed home from school
due to illness, if they felt like it, we sometimes played games like Old Maid,
Candyland, or Go Fish. We would deal the cards or set up the board and play
until they were ready to rest.
The older I get, it seems like life changes at lightning
speed. Perhaps because I can look back and see the history I’ve lived, yet one
thing has never changed.
Jesus remains the same no matter how many years pass. He
continues to share His love. There are days I think He should walk away from me
because I’m a lowly human, instead He stays with me through the valleys and the
peaks. He opens His arms and welcomes me in. He sees value in me and never
leaves me.
He loves you, too. His arms are open to everyone. He loves
like no other. He’ll be there through the best and the worst.
I love this song by Matthew West, The God Who Stays.
I hope you’ll take a listen.
Genesis 24:42
When I came to the spring today, I said, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, if
you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come.”
Who is on your journey?
The other day, Tim and I took a road trip. We traveled to three
bookstores in the Cincinnati area. The first stop we made was to a little shop
in Madeira. The owner had kindly kept my books on the shelf for several months,
a few had sold, but she was ready to return the others to me. After we picked
those up, Tim drove to Mason, and I visited the lovely Belong Christian
Bookstore. In case you aren’t aware, Christian bookstores are few these days. I
chatted with the owner and showed her my books, with hope of a possible
connection in the future. On our last stop, I browsed a Barnes & Noble,
found a few stocking stuffers, and discovered they only do author events every
six months or so. Some might say I didn’t have success promoting my books, but
I made connections.
On the drive, Tim and I noticed a semi on the highway with the
word JOURNEY imprinted on the side. That got me to thinking. Who travels on my
journeys with me? On our trip, Tim and Rosie (she loves to ride) were in the
Jeep with me, and the Holy Spirit buckled up and rode shotgun. The Holy Spirit
led us to Belong Bookstore at the exact time the owner stood behind the
counter. Due to illness, she isn’t there often. I’m thankful for the
opportunity to meet her and talk about my books, and I call that success.
In Genesis, Abraham asked his head servant to travel back to
Abraham’s homeland to find his son, Isaac, a wife. Concerned he might fail, the
servant turns to the One who brings him hope. He asked the Lord to grant
success on the journey. I love the servant took God on the journey with him, and
if you read the rest of the story, he found Isaac a wife, the beautiful Rebekah.
When I travel through this life, I want God with me. The
Holy Spirit dwells with me day and night, and I know on my journeys, He stays by
my side.
Who goes with you on your journey? Have you asked God to
join you?
Matthew 6:22-23
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your
whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are
unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light
within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hand the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, ears, and heart,
illumine me, Spirit divine!
Even though my second cataract surgery is complete, I won’t
know for three to four more weeks if I need to wear glasses again. Although my
vision is clearer, and I can mostly read my laptop and phone, I need readers for
the smaller print. My distance vision is much better in my left eye, but due to
an astigmatism in my right eye, I still have blurriness. So, I wait.
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke about how important
the eyes are. When they’re healthy, they let in the light. By healthy, Jesus is
referring to spiritual health.
At times, the brokenness of this world paralyzes me. I want
to hide away from the darkness and tragedy, the unfairness and constant
bombardment of distraction from God. But because Jesus’ light shines into my
life, I can face every day and be a light for Him. As a believer, I’m fighting
back against the darkness. Through my sight I see His lantern glowing brighter.
When I was young, our church sang Open my Eyes, an old hymn written
by Clara H. Scott. I love the stanza that asks the Spirit to “illumine me.” The
Holy Spirit walks with me each day and opens my eyes to what Jesus wants me to
see and do. I pray the light always fills my soul.
Seek Jesus’ light. He will guide the way.
