March 10, 2014

• Spring, and other stuff

  
  Spring is finally showing up here in Denmark, and it is most welcome! This Winter seemed particularly long. We did not see much of the sun, and that can really start to get to you! But now, the brave, little crocus are coming up showing bright spots of color. It makes me happy!

  It reminds me of these verses from the Song of Solomon.
  (Song of Solomon 2:10-13 NLT) My lover said to me, "Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one! Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air. The fig trees are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming. Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!"

  I am by no means a Bible scholar, but I understand that the Song of Solomon is a type of Christ's love for His church. The church is considered to be the bride of Christ. The lover of our souls calls us, His beloved, to come away with Him. We understand so little of what that means, don't we? And the times that we live in influence the way we see and think about things. Christ wants a pure Bride. He, the bridegroom, will return someday to claim His bride, the church. Brides and purity do not necessarily go together anymore. The idea of a young woman "saving herself" for her husband is considered by many as a silly, old fashioned idea. But, does God want a Bride who has given herself to many others? Does God want a Bride with a divided heart--- one who has one eye on Him, and the other on the world?

  When I was a kid, one of the songs we used to sing had words that said, "It's a glorious church without spot or wrinkle....." Oh, that this were so! I am sorry to say that as I see the church today, there are far too many spots and wrinkles. There is far too much building of personal kingdoms and far too little earnest, selfless, spirit-inspired prayer and serving. Far too many beautiful churches, and far too few beautiful souls. God has called His people to so much more than most of us seem able to comprehend. We are too tied to this present world to see it. We want our rewards HERE, instead of in Heaven. We want to be comfortable. We want to enjoy our pleasures and our stuff. We have hardened our hearts to the lost; to those who do not know Christ and are doomed to an eternity without hope. We don't care about making disciples. We want to enjoy life. We want to just get through the day and relax on the weekend. We have stopped loving what God loves and hating what He hates. We rarely even THINK about that. Those who still have a passion for God and a radical faith make us uncomfortable. A sermon preached on sacrifice has us squirming in our seats.

  For me, I think for most of us, it is a constant battle. I know my true home is Heaven, but it is so easy to get distracted. I know what God considers most important, but too often I am tempted to choose what is easier ---safer. When God called my husband and I into the ministry, I really dragged my feet. No thank you, God! But, I knew my heart was wrong -- that saying "NO" to God would make me miserable. We became pastors. It was all right. Then, some years later, God called us to the mission field. Oh God, REALLY? Haven't I done enough? How selfish of me to say that to a Savior Who gave up EVERYTHING for me! So, we moved to Denmark. It's been good. Hard, but good. Often, the right choice -- the BEST choice, is not easy. Then God called my children into the ministry. Again, I had a battle with my heart. But it's OK. Then, God called my youngest daughter and her husband to be missionaries. SIGH... I think I am starting to get it, Jesus! WE ARE NOT OUR OWN! You bought and paid for us with Your blood.

  I am beginning to understand that the heart-peace and deep joy I have in serving the King are worth the sacrifices. That having a front row seat watching God do incredible things in people's lives is worth the price. That watching Him provide for us again and again is good for my faith. I am learning that Jesus wants to be more than my Savior --- He is LORD. Lord of my life. Lord of my finances, free time and choices. He is Lord over my children and grandchildren. He is Lord of ALL.

  Is Jesus Lord of ALL in your life?

  • 7:42 am
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