Come and Listen

It's one thing to come, another to listen.

Sometimes we dress up for God's banquet but we're distracted by demands clamoring in the background. We look and smell good, we think, but procrastination or disobedience smear our shoes and untie our laces so that the threat of tripping keeps us occupied with ourselves.

God's longing is not merely that we come to Him, but that we listen and apply His insights.

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare (Isaiah 55:2b, NIV).

Our attention to Jesus' invitation becomes our invitation that He nourish us and fill us with joy. We put aside foods that bloat and fatten. At His table, we relish grace's provisions, no longer distracted by empty calories. We bow in holy delight, the reward of saying yes to Jesus' call to come and eat His food.

Isaiah calls these full and amazing plates of food the richest of fare. Nothing frugal about it. The King's food nourishes. It calls eyes and taste buds to enjoyment. Jesus' food and drink satisfy with goodness like nothing else can.  

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
 
What takes the lion's share of your attention?

Is God's Spirit calling you to listen to a new perspective on your activity that will help your soul delight more fully at His table?

Come

Years ago I stumbled on Picasso's Frugal Repast. The gaunt lines and hollow emotions pulled me into their plight although I myself had never experienced deep physical hunger.

Not long after, the Holy Spirit showed me His art work in Isaiah 55. In contrast to empty plates and bellies, empty calories and frustration, Isaiah pointed to wine, milk and satisfying bread at God's table.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; ...
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? (Isaiah 55:1-2, NIV)

The One who said He'd give living water freely (John 7:37-39; Revelation 22:17), Who said we need not thirst again if we drank from Him (John 4:13-14), welcomes us to His table with open arms.

Thirsty from spinning endlessly on our hamster wheel, we can stop our unproductive activity and go to Him. He freely offers water, wine, wheat, and oil. Broccoli, sweet potatoes, carrots, and cakes are all on the table.

There, He provides nourishment for weary, sad souls. He knows we are unable to meet our needs without His intervention.

Jesus Christ has spread a lavish table at great cost. He stands at the corners of our life calling out, Come, you who are thirsty!

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Do you hear Jesus' call to you, "Come?" What might He be calling you to leave, to exchange for greater satisfaction?

What food is He offering you today?

Treasure Hunt

I was hunting for a verse in Psalm 119 before going to the book of Colossians. My Bible opened to Daniel where an underlined sentence grabbed my attention.
 
There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries (Daniel 2:28, NIV).
 
I refreshed my memory with the context. Daniel and his friends desperately needed divine intervention so they could discern and interpret the king's dream and save their lives.
 
When I read Psalm 119:18, Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law, it was as if Daniel’s God, the Revealer of Mysteries, shone His spotlight on the page. So, I released a fresh breath of anticipation as I headed to Colossians.

"Mystery" was my next clue on this treasure hunt. Very aware of the mysteries ahead in our transition of housing and job, I searched for more clues in Colossians.

Historically, God revealed mystery through His law. Then as Christ revealed Himself, His followers discovered that He—Himself--is God's mystery revealed! Christ in us, the hope of glory! (Colossians 1:26-27.)

The Revealer of Mysteries will make His ways known. The Lord of Daniel, David, and Paul does not change. He revealed dreams, battle strategies, presentations, and navigational routes.
 
Christ in us still reveals mysteries. As we search out His ways, He leads us to amazing treasure. Each spotlights breathtaking discovery: Christ in us, the hope of glory.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

 How does God reveal Himself to you through "Christ in you, the hope of glory?"

 

Dragon Slayer

Elizabeth Mitchell has a way with words: God has a way with her heart.

In her most recent post, she beautifully describes our inner struggles and the process of inviting God's truth and peace into those vulnerable places. It's well written and worth your time.

http://blog.journeyfortheheart.com/2013/01/dragon-slayer.html

Fruitfulness

 
If you've ever planted a garden, you know the joy of watching the flower turn to fruit. You powder your plant with insect killer and pull the inevitable weeds. When you enjoy and share your fresh zucchini or beans, you experience the satisfaction that only a gardener knows.

As fruit bearers because of Christ's life in us, we can also bring our Gardener much pleasure (John 15). Productivity reflects well on God's care and nourishment. His sap in us is life giving. Christ in me (Colossians 1:27). Christ interested in me. Christ intent on revealing His ways so I can obey and benefit.

As I act on what He reveals, I can be confident of remaining in His love and producing fruit of His planting. I will develop a heightened sense of His life in my mind, body and spirit, and the mature fruit I bear will speak well of the Gardener, my Creator.

Inevitably, God shares His fruit through me with others. They too can discover the love I have found in Christ.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Today, I invite you to slowly read these verses. Then listen for God's revelations as you meditate.

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.... ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other (John 15:8-11,16-17).

I encourage you to jot down what you discern.

As you bear the fruit of Christ-in-you, may you realize the joy you bring your heavenly Gardener. 

Delightful Discoveries

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4, NIV '84).

As I meditate on that verse, some questions arise:

           How do I delight in the Lord? What helps me be intentional about it?
           What do I discover about God's character as I do so?

This is a 'when-then' verse. When I make the Lord my joy--enjoy conversation with Him, notice and appreciate His gifts, count on His help--then He fulfills my longings.

This verse runs like a deep river. The light sparkling on the surface invites us to experience its depth. We may swim well, but it is wise to put on the safety jacket of the Holy Spirit's guidance as we jump in. Strength, wisdom and joy of being a part of something stronger than ourselves will bring delight.

We can't experience the strength and exhilaration of the river until we are willing to immerse our weakness in its strength. Regular immersion in God's river will strengthen our muscles, defog our minds, and fill us with joy ... scare us too sometimes. We don't get past debris by passively floating. We must actively read the water, think carefully, and exercise faith. Whether or not our adrenaline runs high, our Creator uses all opportunities for us to experience Him.

Often, after an arduous stint, the bend reveals new delights.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

After meditating on Psalm 37 and especially verse 4, how would you answer the questions above?

What aspect of delighting in the Lord has brought you joy?

Clarify Goals

Blogging gurus have great advice: blog often, invite others to participate, blow your own horn, and get involved in other social media. I watch others do it, but I don't want to jump into that circus. I don't know that it's just because I'm an old dog. I think fuzzy motivation makes for fuzzy performance.

So, I'm asking my Lord Jesus to help me clarify my goals--including the goal of this blog.

Sure, I want to blog to God's glory (Colossians 3:17). But I have to discern a narrower focus. So I am currently praying for clarity and confirmation.

As God's friends, He trusts us to bring His presence to others using the gifts and opportunities He gives. To participate fully, we get to co-operate in goal setting and execution.

When it's hard to find time or be disciplined, we may have to clarify or refocus on our goal. We can ask help from friends and the best Friend of all. Our Jesus kept His eye on the joy of finishing His God-given task (Hebrews 12:1-3).

To help me in this process, would you let me know:

1. What topics interest you?
2. What challenges you face?
3. What would make this better?

I will treasure your answers. And your prayers. Thank you. 

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2, NIV '84).

How does riveting your eyes on Jesus Christ help your motivation? What did He do regarding His mission that you might imitate?