The Marys III

Our family went to see Prince Caspian last weekend. I'm a HUGE CS Lewis fan, and I love the Narnia books. Allegory is one of my favorite forms of lit to read. It really speaks to my heart, and the movie had the same effect as receiving beautiful Truth through music, art or literature.

In the first part of the movie, the children find themselves transported from a train station in England back into Narnia. The scene where they first realized that they had returned to Narnia gave my heart that sore feeling of longing. The children looked around and realized that they were really and truly HOME. They had become ill at ease in England once they had experienced a full life in Narnia. They ran down the beach, throwing off winter clothing as they went, and splashed and played in the beautiful ocean.

The scene made me realize that the longer I live in this world, the more ill-at-ease I become. My spirit has a home that it recognizes although I've never lived there. I cried as I thought of returning to Home where I'd be in the presence of Aslan (Jesus) and surrounded by a feeling of comfort and familiarity.

I think that may have been how Mary Magdelene felt in the presence of Jesus. Wherever He was became her home. After He cast 7 demons out of her, Mary followed Him wherever He went. She took care of Him and the disciples as they traveled. She followed Jesus on His journey to the cross. She waited outside His tomb on the very first hour that she could after Passover. She was at home with Him, and she couldn't find home without Him.

It was because He had set her free. With all the herecies floating around about the love between Mary and Jesus, my heart testifies with Mary's that her kind of love wasn't about infatuation or earthly passion. She was passionate about Jesus because He had saved her. He SET HER FREE! Then He taught her. When Mary met Jesus after His resurrection, she cried out, "Rabboni!", or teacher. In a day when women were viewed largely as unteachable, obviously Jesus had taken time to teach Mary.

And then He gave her the greatest gift I can imagine. He showed her His new life and resurrected body first! Can you imagine it? All the following, all the painful watching, all the grieving and all the waiting during those three days ended with His presence. He hadn't gone away at all, and now Mary could be Home forever!

My heart longs for the day when it reaches it's final home. I sound like I'm getting old, but beyond my family and friends, there's just less and less that holds me here on earth. In the meantime, though, just like Mary, I can be Home with the indwelling Jesus. Hallelujah! He is risen!

The Marys II

Sarah had such a struggle with God's timing just like I so often do. But whereas Sarah handle God's assignment (at least initially) with manipulation and doubt, Mary met God's assignment with submission and faith.

Where did her faith come from? I believe there is evidence in scripture that Mary already had a well-developed relationship with God before He ever sent the angle with the news of her pregnancy. Take a look at Mary's song of praise from Luke 1:46-55:

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

This passage reveals her deep knowledge of God's character and His history with the Israelites. She calls Him Savior, a Father mindful of His children, the Mighty One, merciful, powerful, compassionate, the Provider, the Lord of Israel. Mary's faith was based in deep relationship with God. She trusted Him and loved Him because she knew Him so well.

It's a great reminder for me when I struggle with my next assignment. I need to keep my eyes focused on God's character and who I know Him to be. I need to remember His great deeds and faithfulness in history, and I need to remember His work in my own life. God is faithful to be with us in each assignment that He gives, so we can face each assignment with faith.

Always a Choice

I'll go back to The Marys next week, but I had to give some thoughts about Lysa's devotion and blog today. I'm so thrilled that Lysa used her platform as someone who has been on Oprah's show to address the controversy of A New Earth.

In addition to Lysa's persuasive defense of the truth, I want to add one thought. My friend Holly and I were talking this week about the contrast in the lives of believers that we know. Many of our friends have been through hard times--abuse, neglected childhoods, divorce, affairs, abortion, etc. Some of our friends have come out on the other side stronger, more positive and with powerful personal testimoneys of the transforming power of Jesus. Others speak of Jesus, but are still bitter and negative. We were discussing what creates the difference.

It truly boils down to a pivotal choice. Will I believe that God's Word supercedes my feelings and my thoughts and will I choose to mold my feelings, thoughts and actions to God's Word? That sounds so black and white, doesn't it? Most of us even nod in agreement. In examining my own life, though, it's so much harder to live out. It means that every decision, every reaction to my circumstances and every thought pattern has to be examined and brought into line with what God says in scripture. He alone dictates Truth. My role is just to live according to His Truth.

The "truth" that is found in every other source is flawed by human perception. It's easy to see how flawed it is just by examining the lives of those espousing the "truth". I don't want to go too far down this road, but take a look at those who are giving their seal of approval to "A New Earth".

We had a children's pastor who constantly repeated to our kids "God's ways are always best." It's something that still rings in my heart every time that I make a choice. God's ways don't always seem the most pleasant in the short-term, but His Truth alone leads us to lives of peace, joy and contentment. I look forward to the day in The New Jerusalem when the Truth of God's Word is evident and the lies of A New Earth are exposed.

The Marys

Tomorrow is the last day of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for the year. I'm always ready for a change in the summer and chomping at the bit to go back in the fall. If you're one of those folks who has heard the negative about BSF, I encourage you to go with an open heart to see for yourself. Personally, I love it, and it has been transformational in the way that I approach scripture.

Anyhoo...I've been taking a look at the Marys of Jesus' life in the last few chapters. I'd like to spend a few posts mulling back over some of the things I've learned this year. I'm also speaking in Holly Springs this Saturday, and the message covers Mary's reception of the news that she was to carry God's son. Truly amazing news--especially in light that it was being delivered to an unmarried teenager. The following is a devotion that I wrote about Mary around Christmas time. I'm inspired over and over again by her submission and faith.

If You Choose to Accept This Assignment...

‘“I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:38 (NIV)

How was Mary so accepting of her assignment from the Lord? There is no doubt that it was a glorious assignment. To carry the promised Messiah and raise Him as His mother was awe-inspiring; however, it came with tremendous personal cost. Jewish law demanded that women who became pregnant out of wedlock were to be stoned to death. Even though Joseph came to her rescue and did not end their betrothal, there were surely whispers and innuendo for the rest of her life.

Mary was able to be a willing servant because she knew Truth and was well acquainted with the greatness of the Master. Her praise of Him in Luke 1:46-55 displays the depth of her knowledge of Him. She praises Him as Savior, for His mindfulness of His children, as the Mighty One, for His mercy, for His power, as the mighty but compassionate King, as Provider and as the compassionate Lord of Israel. The One who gave the assignment was no stranger to Mary. Her heart of praise reveals her deep love and awe for Him.

God has an assignment for each of us, too. He created us with a purpose in mind and with good works for His children to perform. How do we respond to His assignments for us, especially if they involve personal cost? If we have invested our lives in knowing our Master, it will be much easier to be joyful servants. We will know that our highest good is linked to His glory. We’ll know that true personal loss comes in the form of disobedience to the Lord. We’ll remember that He is worthy and that serving Him is its own priceless reward.

There have been some times that I’ve ignored His voice. Sometimes it was because of busyness. Sometimes I questioned whether it was His voice or my own. Other times it was just outright disobedience. Every time I was left with regret and emptiness. He is so merciful, and He forgave me when I asked. He gently and faithfully restored me. There are a couple of times that stand out in my mind, however, that the lost opportunity had passed. I don’t want to miss any more opportunities to say “yes” to His assignment, so I’m fixing my eyes on Jesus. I want to know my Master so well that I hear His voice and follow Him into any assignment that He gives me. I want to become a maidservant to the Lord just like Mary.

He has a plan, a purpose and assignments in mind for your life too. Today, why don’t we decide to give a gift to God? Let’s decide to give God the gift of our “yes” all year long. I believe that our gift of “yes” will delight the heart of God, but I know that the blessings will come flowing right back to us.

Respond:
Dear Lord, you are worthy of my entire life and all of my devotion. Help me to hear and obey your voice. I desire to joyfully accept every assignment that You have for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Apply:
Write down the last assignment that you have heard God give to you.

List the steps that you’ve taken to say “yes” to that assignment. Pray and ask God to show you the next step to take.

Answers

Sometimes God doesn't answer prayer the way we wish He would, and then again sometimes He does. Last night was one of those times that He answered prayer in a way that gave me so much joy.

Nolan woke up with a fever yesterday. It wasn't a high fever, but it seemed earthshattering. Today was the big fifth-grade field trip that he had been looking forward to all year. It's a field trip to the beach. They get to ride on a boat and wade in the marshes. It's wet and dirty and very cool to an 11 year old boy.

He seemed to be better all day on a little cold medicine, but last night the cough started. Nolan has a terrible time with coughs, and he often goes down hill fast when a cough starts. Last night we prayed together, and I prayed long and hard in bed after he went to sleep. Sometimes little boys are disappointed, but we were so happy when he woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning.

I haven't gotten to hear the stories of the trip yet, but he'll be home soon. Right now I'm thanking God for hearing the prayers of a little boy and his mother for a small thing. How has God answered some of your prayers lately?

What a Weekend!

Last weekend, Micca Campbell and I traveled to Hixon, TN to be with the women of Dallas Bay Baptist Church for their Live, Laugh, Love Weekend. It was such a good time. We got reacquainted with old friends Angela, Amy and Kara as well as meeting lots of new friends. Amy and Angela organized a beautiful event. It was one of those weekends that ran so seemlessly that everyone knew how many hours had been spent ahead of time. Prayer was a key component in their organization, and it showed! God truly poured out His presence on us.

Worship was led by a tiny but powerful woman named Stephanie. She inspired me immeasurably, because as she led, her adorable, petite self disappeared and every eye was fixed on Jesus. Now that's ministry! An incredible team of girls also left every eye full of tears as they used movement and sign language to lead us to the throne of God. It was marvelous!

One of the highlights of my weekend was meeting so many women who shared the stories of what God had done in their lives. Mimi Neighbors especially inspired me. She founded a ministry in Chatanooga that ministers to women in prison and goes out to reach prostitutes on the streets. Mimi, Connie and Kara shared story after story of the redemption and transforming work of God. Mimi says, "God has given me a front row seat for the Greatest Show on Earth!" Amen!

I loved meeting all of you at DBBC!

Peonies!

Happy May Day, friends! When I was little, my mom used to help my brother and me make homemade May Day baskets out of plastic strawberry baskets or construction paper cones. We'd fill them with homebaked goodies and flowers from our yard and then hang them on our neighbors' doors. Evidently, it was a midwestern tradition, because our new southern neighbors were very surprised that first year.

I love May Day. It's been a beautiful day in NC, and my long-awaited peonies burst out in gorgeous blooms today. If it's gloomy or cold where you are, I hope these pictures warm and cheer you. Spring is coming!