The Light and Hope

In these crazy times it helps to remember this: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 ESV

I read this scripture this morning as I was praying for this world and lamenting over all of the pain in it. I had been thinking, “Wow, if I see the little that I do and feel it this much, how must God feel?” He sees all the sin committed in the whole world! He sees all the pain it causes and hears all those who cry out because of it. But then the thought came, he also sees all of the good done in the world. He sees the ones who love others in word and deed. He sees the  husband and wife who adopt the orphan. He sees the man who makes it his life’s mission to rescue victims of human trafficking. He sees the person who smiles at everyone they meet just to bring a little joy to another’s day. Yes, he sees the evil and he will judge it. But, he also sees the good and will reward it. 

So, as these chaotic times tempt us to despair he sends us a reminder to not give up in doing good. He reminds us that he sees all and will restore everything to order in time. Lets’s continue to seek the good of the cities and communities we live in, continue to pray, and continue to be people of peace.

Yours in hope,

Angela

Poetry Corner

Image (Truth You Don't Want)

Do I want to see what’s really inside?

The evil which lurks

The bitter vine left unchecked

How quickly my blood runs cold when I don’t get what I want

How fierce my stare when I am angered

How heated the furnace of my wrath

Adding to the red mass boiling to the surface of Mount Self Righteous

Do I want to see the spoiled brat who didn’t get her way?

The unstable mental patient blubbering in the corner

The little girl abandoned, abused, and cowering in fear

The manipulating seductress plying her wares

All prisoners of their own devices

I look, I see, I face, I come to tears, I come to terms, I heal.

Do you want to see what’s really inside?

Or only an image

Of beautiful materials

How quick to share even the little I have 

How patient in the face of wrong

How loving and always willing to help

Hoping to ease the burden of others and truly have relationship 

Do you want to see the strong Godly woman?

The one who stands on the Rock and is full of faith

The young at heart who joyfully lives in awe and wonder

The bold speaker who is free to love rightly

All seeking to bring healing to others

Will you look, see, face, come to tears, and come to terms so that I may heal?

Truth sets us both free.

A.B.

Life

Struggling forward with crippled throws,

this is how my life toward Jesus goes.

Through push and pull, flop, and flail

I onward tread with much travail

Though weak I’m strong 

As He helps me along

Not power nor might will prove the day

But by his Spirit is the way.

A.B.

Jesus?

We are still so unlike Jesus. The majority of people in his day thought he came to conquer those in power and take his kingdom by force. They thought they would be vindicated and secure in their earthly kingdom. Isn’t that still what we want, vindication and security? But he didn’t come for this. 

Instead of condemning others to the sword or judgement, he suffered and died for us all. His mission was to bring heaven to earth, to begin to set everything aright again. He spent his whole life teaching humanity how to love God and their neighbor so this could be accomplished.

Jesus gave up his kingly rights. He did not defend himself when accused of wrong doing. He came to bring peace to people’s hearts.

We are slow learners much of the time. We clamor for our rights to be fulfilled. We take offense when we are accused of wrong doing. With these weapons we unwittingly assist the Enemy by fueling the fire of disunity in people’s hearts.

I am ashamed at how little we, his disciples, look like him. We are to be the lights in the world to dispel darkness. We are not called to hide, but to shine brightly for His glory. We are to be the salt for seasoning and preservation. We, his children, are to point others to him and to work diligently toward reconciliation.

Lord, I repent for hiding my light from this world and adding to the darkness. Cleanse my heart so that I will love as you love and bring healing to this hurting generation. Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Yours in hope,

Angela