New leaves and new life

If I haven't written lately, it hasn't been for want of something to say. The past month has been a time of coming out of the survival mode necessary for making it through the desert and into a time of unparalleled life. How do I put into words the sensation of downpour on parched roots? Of life flowing through long-dry veins and unfurling new leaves and fast-ripening fruit? But I want to. If I could write about theories of knowing Jesus and His peace this past year, I can write now about the tangible press of His presence in my heart, His hands lifting up my head, the surprising joy of walking closely with Him and riding in the front seat of what He is doing in the world. More soon.

Choosing today

His mercies are new every morning.

I was talking with a friend today (preparing for teaching lessons at camp) about choices, habits, character development. In everything, we have a choice. In every day, every circumstance, every next step we take is a choice. Whether we are on the mountaintop or in the valley, flying high in victory or brought to the ground by our own mistakes or someone else's, there is no time when we are left without a choice. Lying face-down on the ground as a result of our own intentional rebellion, we are still not beyond the reach of God's mercy.

The choice is this: will I let God have the glory? In my accomplishments and greatest joys, will I give God the glory and take none of it for myself? In my failures and times of broken confusion, will I let Him glorify His name by redeeming my situation?

And the time is now. We could wait until tomorrow, but every action we take is one step toward a habit. Do we want to build the habit of waiting until tomorrow to ask God into our circumstances? Or do we want to build the habit of inviting Him in the very instant that we recognize our need for Him?

I choose Him, I choose now, I choose joyful submission today.

What fasting is and is not

Fasting is something more than and different from the Old Testament picture of sorrow and sackcloth and ashes and weeping. It is not a hunger strike, manipulating God to answer your requests.

Fasting is being reminded of your mortality and your dependence on the hand of God.

Fasting is identifying with the poor and hungry.

Fasting is adjusting your priorities, being a thankful recipient of God's gifts instead of a slave to them.

Fasting is a bodily reminder to go to your knees, using the twinges of hunger to prompt you to bring your requests before the throne of God again and again, as the persistent widow.

Fasting is joyously proclaiming that there is something more precious, more essential to you than food. It is declaring that your lifesource is other than that on which the world depends.

Joy as a lifestyle

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

We quote Paul's words from the fourth chapter of Philippians all the time. But I'm struggling to live it today. Joy is a choice, not a feeling. It is a lifestyle, not an emotion. Paul writes these words in chains, in isolation, suffering for the Gospel. Are your circumstances worse?

Rejoice in the Lord at all times.

Renewed thinking

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9

"He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'" Revelation 21:5

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

There is hope, there is life, there is joy.

Resurrected life

Easter. How should we respond?

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And, being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross."

This is resurrected life. Submission in order to truly be free. Setting yourself aside in order to truly love. And, in this process, unity and fellowship and fulfillment. Logically, it doesn't make sense. But nearly ten years of following have shown me that this is where true joy lies.