Matt 11:3 - "Are you the One we've been expecting or are we still waiting?" John asks the question from a dark damp dungeon---a prison cell for preaching truth. But it's Jesus' reply knowing the rest of the story that grips me this day. "Go to the prison and tell John: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side." We know the rest of the story in Matt 14: 11-12...John's head would be carried on a platter at Herod's birthday party at the request of Herodian and her daughter. John wasn't healed or saved from a horrendous death. John knew something I don't know as he wrestled through Jesus leaving him from prison cell to prison cell. Yet John was free.
Are you burned out with what God is asking of you? Are you worn out with your life, your family, your friends, your ministry? Matt 11:28-30 - "Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. How do you get away with Jesus? He will show you how to take a real rest. "Walk with Me and work with Me---watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of Grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Am I disrupted by the story of John the Baptist and how he learned the unforced rhythms of Grace? "I should be! God prefers a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual (Matt 12:7)." "This is war, and there is no neutral ground (Matt 12:30). If you're not on my side, you're the enemy...Consider this---"There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven (Matt 12:32)." Take heart! "It's your heart that gives meaning to your words (Matt 12:34)."
So what did John the Baptist know that I don't know in the midst of trials?
As I gaze out the hotel room window this morning and watch the busy-ness below, I long for that real rest. I am tired, worn out. Lord, I long to live freely and lightly and realize that a heart not fully surrendered cannot. I've been hanging on to a small part called my "what ifs." So I give those to You as well. May my hope be in You. Please come and keep company with me. Thank you Lord Jesus.
ReplyDelete--michele
Praying for you this morning in Kentucky, Michele...
ReplyDeleteJohn had seen the Holy Spirit fall on Jesus as he baptized Jesus in the Jordan. John definitely knew Jesus was the One, but he had lost his hope. John's discouraged question is so tender: "Are You the One?" And the answer Jesus gave-the blind see, the lame walk, lepars are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised...but no miracle for you, John. Did you think Jesus abandoned you? Or did Jesus know that his heart's faith was sufficient to sustain him? You know He felt John's pain, yet He had another purpose for John. And then Jesus praises John saying no one greater had gone before him. John wrestled, but I wrestle with John's story too. You are right, Bev-John was free though his outer body rotted away in a dank cell, his life martyred for the cause of Christ. It isn't the neat little story that we want. But it's bathed in Grace. His Kingdom is so much more than we know in our reality here on earth.
And I drink the words of Matthew 11:28--finding rest in the unforced rhythms of Grace.
Michele,thank you for posting what I have thought many times over the years. Yes, God finally set me apart in January for several months and made me rest. I am still learning to rest. One thing I have learned to be true for me...when I do fully surrender my agenda to Jesus, His company is so sweet and is a healing balm like nothing else can soothe. My issue is I rest for a brief time and then unconsiously pick back up activities He has not called me to. I pray to not only do better myself, but may you experience that Sweet Rest in Him today...in Kentucky and stay with you when you return to Texas.
ReplyDeleteThis is a song I must sing...
Sylvia
Michelle, remember the fellowship of pearl sisters, the sweet-annoiting time at RLR. Hold onto the sweet savor of the Holiness we all experienced there. You are precious, you are loved. Let go of the "what ifs", embrace the Promise of the Message. As I fly home to Michigan today, I will pray for you.
ReplyDeleteI feel your prayers and I am not alone. His sweet company has been with me this day.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
--michele
Hi my sweet pearl sisters!
ReplyDeleteI am still recovering from our gathering (hope I never get over it).
Michele, thank you for your sweet comment on my blog! And here from the previous day's reading. Imagining heaven and the eternal fellowship...glory!
Jan, I hope your flight was drama-free!
Annette, I've never looked at the abandonment of John the Baptist like you pointed out. When I picture John the Baptist, I kind of see Billy Graham and David Crowder all rolled up into one person. John's death touched deep places in the hearts of the disciples...Christ grieved, too.
12 disciples. Forsaking all. Following Him. One turned traitor. How can we remain faithful through life's disappointments?
For me, I just keep doing the next thing. Trusting Him for the daily bread.
Kim, where are you this good day?
Angie, missing you.
Mary Lou, are you there?
Anyone else want to join in our ponderings?
Bev...what's up with the computer crazies?
Father, please grace Bev today and supply all her needs according to Your riches in glory.
And a few of her wants, if you wouldn't mind???
Rejoicing today in difficulties and trials. Praising God today in unseen victories. Resting in His care.
P.E.A.R.L.
Peace
Everlasting
And
Redeeming
Love
I've been in a garage since 2pm sorting through my stuff to get ready for a garage sale this weekend. It's 9:30pm and I'm still not finished (30 years of stuff) so I just quit and came over to Starbucks. Finding rest for me is moment by moment. And I'm not referring to physical rest. I am a little tiny bit more at rest than before. Falling forward. There are parts of my life where I don't want to be and I must surrender as they surface daily. Struggling with it all over here in ATX. What did John think all those years in prison, kept from his family and ministry? What shifts does God need to make in my heart? I went to the Garden to pray this morning and the Voice I heard falling on my ears was real. He walks with me and with you and that's just unbelievable in the midst of all our mess. Oh, but you are a glorious mess! Good night friends!
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