Hope for All the World

It's just a few days before Christmas. I started my first day of claims training today; inwardly I secretly cringe at the next month. But for right now, the candles are lit, the tree is up and slowly but surely the lights and ornaments are being added to the tree. So much has happened this year I don't know where to begin in the storyline of my life other than God jumped in and danced with me throughout the last 2 years.

Over the last few months time and time again I have been challenged to find a sense of direction. Life got way too crazy way too fast and I find myself longing for that sweet time I had with God just a few months ago where I felt Him close, the tenderness and warmth. But I grew angry and bitter and through a series of events I ended up with a bump on my head and my head much clearer of what is truly important in life.

Jesus isn't just for me, He isn't just for the Jews, He isn't for the Christians sitting in the pews each Sunday. He's for everyone. For the broken, the hurting, the liars and cheaters. He's for the murderers, the sick, the dying, the lonely, the numb, the outcasts, the dirty, the jealous, the imperfect. He's for the ones who do not know who they are. He's for the ones who try so hard to be good but can't seem to get past the one mistake. He's for the one who wishes they had a do-over with life. The one who wishes for a true friend.

I look back over my life and I see time and time again God wooing and pursuing me. In every challenge, in every raging fire and thundering storm. He is there with me. And over the years I've learned to trust that He will work to make everything beautiful. To seek for His presence even when He is no-where to be found. Because the thing is that God can use our most shattered pieces, our most paralyzing fears, our lowliest moments, our biggest mistakes, and turn it into a mosaic of beauty for His glory. If my brokenness leads me closer to God, then let me be broken. If my mistakes remind me of who is truly God, then let me make mistakes. If I have to be lonely to find true satisfaction in Him alone, then let me be lonely.

The thing is beloved, God just wants to be with you. He cares to bring you to the fullest person you can be; He cares to equip you with the tools you need to bring the most fruit into your life and to be the most prosperous for His Kingdom. He loves and longs for you to trust Him, to give Him a chance to show His might in the midst of the darkness. He delights in every moment you give Him. He doesn't care how presentable you are, because the blood of Christ has now washed you clean so you can be embraced by God's complete holiness. If you accept His love and surrender your life to Him, He will give you your identity - "You are MY daughter!" "You are MY son!" "You are MY child."

He is the hope for all the world. As the world get's darker may HIS light shine brighter. "May we learn to love like you, may we learn to fall, may we learn to love like you, may we learn to fall on our faces." That something so humble and tender as a baby could be the biggest battle move any King has made in battle. To step into our world, and dwell among us. Just as He stepped into the Garden of Eden, to dwell among Adam and Eve. When He stepped between the sacrifices with Abraham, so He could dwell among us. When He came as a baby...And when He poured out His Spirit upon us. So He could dwell among us.

Yeah, I think God likes us :) This week as we accept and give gifts to each other may we remember to accept God's love for us and to give gifts and blessings back to Him by serving and blessing each other. You never know how God just might show up!

Blessings!!