I'm convinced that my 1-year old son is equipped with a "small forbidden item radar". He is singularly talented at discovering any small object that has inadvertantly been left within his reach. Once one of these small treasures are within his grasp, he grips it tightly, checks to see where I am in the room, and slowly brings it to his mouth. When I hold out my hand and tell him to "bring it to Mama", he will smile and obligingly begin to toddle in my direction. I think his smile is not so much about the fact that he has been acknowledged, as it is about the anticipation of the devilish plot he has in store, and his glee that Mom has fallen into his trap once again. Inevitably, just as he reaches the point where the tips of my fingers can almost brush against his hand, a giggle escapes as he makes a sharp 90 degree turn and begins to run the other direction as fast as his stubby little legs will go. That is my cue to begin the chase. Much to his surprise and dismay, I catch him each time, and each time, we then begin the process of extracting the small treasure from his fist. He struggles against me and grips ever tighter as I slowly pry his little fingers from around the forbidden object. His giggles often turn to angry shrieks as he realizes he is unable to hang on to his prize. All is quickly soothed, however, with a warm hug and the replacement of the potentially harmful item with a toy that is safe for small hands and mouths.
God has lately been using that oft-repeated scene as an object lesson in my own spiritual life. There are areas in my life where I realize I have resisted giving God complete control. My little fingers are gripped tightly around the treasured prize, and I fight to maintain my control over it. I hear his voice telling me to give it to Him, and something within longs to comply. I smile, and start in His direction, holding my life out to Him. Just as I begin to feel the brush of change, however, I quickly turn and run in the other direction as fast as I can manage.
I recently read A.W. Tozer's article, written just before his death in 1963, entitled "The Waning Authority of Christ in the Churches". In it, Tozer compares the position of Christ within most churches with that of a constitutional monarchy, where the royal family is revered and held as a rallying point, but any real policy making is done by others. Sadly, I think that comparison is as valid today as it was when it was written. It is not just a malady suffered by the corporate church body. Rather, I believe that we each can point to such an affliction to one degree or another in our own lives.
In my life, is God king - an absolute monarch, or is He but a royal figurehead? Do I yield to His leading in all areas of my life, or are there some areas where I insist on retaining control? Am I looking for God's leading in the handling of my finances? What hold greater weight when making spending or investment decisions? The advice of financial analysts or the leading of the Holy Spirit (provided I'm even listening for His leading at all?) When faced with an opportunity to witness at work, do I follow God's leading, or do I silence the urge with thoughts of what speaking out would do to my reputation or standing at work? Does prayer even enter the equation when deciding what endeavours to which I will commit my time? Is He Lord of all areas of my life, or only those in which I feel comfortable turning over to Him?
These are the thoughts I find myself pondering as I examine my life. Giving up control in some areas is not easy. I sense it will be the hardest thing I will ever have to do, and I'm tempted to shriek with fear and anger at the thought. Yet I know that the rewards will be immeasurable. I don't have the strength to let go on my own. The only thing I can do is to raise my fist to God and allow him to loosen my grasp - finger by finger, if need be.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Sunday, December 3, 2006
A Dose Of Christmas Spirit
Friday night, my husband and I went to see the new movie, "The Nativity Story". It was the best Biblically based movie I have seen in ages! The screenplay (written by Portland's own Mike Rich) was faithful to the Biblical account, and the movie was high-quality and very enjoyable. This will definitely be a must own DVD when it comes out.
As many times as I have heard the story of Christ's birth, I was emotionally moved as I watched Mary hold him there in the stable and the shepherds and wise men make their way to see this Blessed Gift from God. I was once again humbled to think of the great sacrifice that God made out of His love for us and desire to provide a way for us to live in relationship with Him.
The entire movie experience was a much-needed reminder of the true meaning of Christmas amidst the scurry of shopping and preparations that come with the season. This was a message that I think God wanted to make sure I had firmly rooted in my brain this year. When I later read the devotional reading from Our Daily Bread, the entry for Friday, December 1 was a perfect complement to the movie I had just seen.
If you haven't read the devotional for that day yet, I highly recommend that you read it. The subject is "Christmas Spirit". In it, the author, Dennis De Haan, reminds us that the Christmas Spirit is not defined by tinkling bells, the sound of Christmas carols, or a good feeling. The true spirit of Christmas is humility. It is the humility that Christ demonstrated when He came to us in the form of a tiny baby and walked among His creation. (Philippians 2:5-8) The version of Our Daily Bread that I receive from ChristianCourses.com contains an additional "Insight" section for the day's scripture reading. I thought this one was particularly appropriate:
Philippians 2:5-11 describes "the kenosis theory." This key theological concept comes from the Greek word kenoo, translated "made Himself of no reputation" (v. 7), or "emptied Himself" (KJV). It refers to the commitment Christ expressed in coming to the earth. He set aside ("emptied Himself of") His divine right to choose and submitted fully to the purpose and will of His heavenly Father. This great humility is the centerpiece of the "mind of Christ" (v. 5) that Paul challenges us to emulate.
To have this mindset of Christ - where we have emptied ourselves of any right we think we have to choose for ourselves and to instead live in full submission to the will of God - that is the true Christmas Spirit.
And the greatest thing of all? Christmas Spirit of this kind doesn't end when the needles fall off the Christmas tree. It can be had year-round!
Saturday, December 2, 2006
The Messiest House in America
Last night I discovered this website: Clean House Search for the Messiest Home
I was all set to email the link to my husband, telling him that I had finally found a contest I knew we could win - hands down!
Then I started watching some of the videos - and decided (with a bit of relief) that we don't stand a chance.
If you are housekeeping challenged as I am, take a look at some of these videos. Some may encourage you (see, our house isn't that bad!) and others may inspire you (Look where we're headed if we don't do something about this now!!!)
Oh - and while we're on the subject, there are some great tips at The Container Store, including tips on gift wrapping and more!
I was all set to email the link to my husband, telling him that I had finally found a contest I knew we could win - hands down!
Then I started watching some of the videos - and decided (with a bit of relief) that we don't stand a chance.
If you are housekeeping challenged as I am, take a look at some of these videos. Some may encourage you (see, our house isn't that bad!) and others may inspire you (Look where we're headed if we don't do something about this now!!!)
Oh - and while we're on the subject, there are some great tips at The Container Store, including tips on gift wrapping and more!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Is It Christmas Without The Divinity?
As we begin the season of Christmas preparations, I thought I'd share this article I wrote several years ago.
I could see my son’s mouth moving, but couldn’t understand any of the words coming from it. “Go Play!” My voice was raised to be heard over the sound of the electric mixer. When he proudly held up his latest Lego creation, I nodded. “That’s nice, Honey. Now get those Legos out of the kitchen, please!” I returned my attention to the task at hand as he walked slowly from the kitchen.
Finally judging the mixture to be ready, I turned off the mixer and took a spoonful of the divinity and expectantly placed it on the wax paper spread out on the counter. Instantly, the soft mound flattened into a little pool of white goo. Frowning, I resumed beating the mixture. Several minutes and little pools of goo later, I was forced to admit that I had been defeated by a bowl of egg whites, sugar, and corn syrup.
Every Christmas since I first learned to cook, I have made divinity. Others have complained that it is temperamental and difficult to make, but I have never had any problem with it – until this year. It has been something that I have found satisfaction and taken pride in. If it had been the fudge that had failed, I wouldn’t have been surprised. Never have I had a batch of fudge turn out right. Depending on the year, you need either a hammer or a spoon to eat it. But to go without the divinity – it was unheard of.
Deciding that I would do better when I was less frustrated, I turned my attention to the cookies that I needed to bake in preparation for the guests who would be coming for Christmas dinner the next day. Hours later, I tiredly wiped the flour from my hands and looked around the kitchen. Wanting to be sure I had a sufficient variety of cookies to satisfy every possible preference, I had baked dozens of cookies. There was also a beautifully successful batch of fudge in the refrigerator. (It’s amazing what a decade of practice can accomplish!)
I looked at the clock. It was almost time to leave if I was going to go to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church. I still had pies to bake for Christmas dinner and a kitchen floor to mop, not to mention the divinity that I still needed to make! It looked like I would just have to miss the service.
Guiltily, I realized what that solution said about my priorities in life. I needed to go to the church service, but I couldn’t do everything. I could bake the pies after coming home from church, and the floor could be mopped while the pies were baking. Regretfully, I realized that if I wanted to get any sleep at all, I would have to abandon the idea of the divinity. It seemed strange that I would feel as much disappointment as I did, but it just didn’t feel like Christmas without the divinity.
As it turned out, going to the candlelight service was the best thing I’d done all day. I had been so caught up in preparations that week that I had lost sight of everything that was truly important. God, however, had a message for me that would change my focus.
The Almighty, Holy, Most Powerful God had looked across time and space and seen this crazy mixed-up world that we live in. He had seen the wars, the poverty, the injustice, the violence, the immorality. He saw kings, presidents, and the poorest of men. He saw me, irritable moods, dirty floors, failed divinity, and all. Yet, He did not feel revulsion as one might expect, but rather, He felt an awesome compassion and love. He didn’t wait for people to clean up their lives (or floors!), but “while we were yet sinners”, Christ was born as a human baby with the purpose of suffering and dying for us – dirty, messed-up lives and all.
Now, during a time when we celebrate this wonderful Gift of Love that God has given us, I had been running this way and that, ignoring my family, preparing food, gifts and more. Where was Jesus in my Christmas? He was there on the fireplace mantle, lying in the manger of my nativity scene. That was the only room there was for Him in my busy schedule. We shake our heads at the lack of room at the inn for our Lord and Savior to be born, but has anything really changed? All too often, He is still relegated to the stable.
It was a different person who arrived home that night than the harried, over-tired woman who had left just an hour before. I went to each family member and apologized for the crazy way I had been acting. I finished what needed to be done, and went to bed, my head full of plans for ways in which I could make room for Jesus in my Christmas.
It is now late on Christmas Day as I sit here writing. The guests have gone home, the family is in bed, and I am curled up against one of my Christmas presents – a massaging cushion (wishing it was a foot massager after all those hours standing in the kitchen!). There are toys scattered about the living room as evidence of a fun-filled Christmas. There are mounds of leftover cookies and fudge still covering the kitchen counters. What strikes me the most, however, is the sense of peace and thanksgiving that I feel inside. My Christmas was one full of Divinity after all.
© 1999, 2006 Jessica Wilkinson
I could see my son’s mouth moving, but couldn’t understand any of the words coming from it. “Go Play!” My voice was raised to be heard over the sound of the electric mixer. When he proudly held up his latest Lego creation, I nodded. “That’s nice, Honey. Now get those Legos out of the kitchen, please!” I returned my attention to the task at hand as he walked slowly from the kitchen.
Finally judging the mixture to be ready, I turned off the mixer and took a spoonful of the divinity and expectantly placed it on the wax paper spread out on the counter. Instantly, the soft mound flattened into a little pool of white goo. Frowning, I resumed beating the mixture. Several minutes and little pools of goo later, I was forced to admit that I had been defeated by a bowl of egg whites, sugar, and corn syrup.
Every Christmas since I first learned to cook, I have made divinity. Others have complained that it is temperamental and difficult to make, but I have never had any problem with it – until this year. It has been something that I have found satisfaction and taken pride in. If it had been the fudge that had failed, I wouldn’t have been surprised. Never have I had a batch of fudge turn out right. Depending on the year, you need either a hammer or a spoon to eat it. But to go without the divinity – it was unheard of.
Deciding that I would do better when I was less frustrated, I turned my attention to the cookies that I needed to bake in preparation for the guests who would be coming for Christmas dinner the next day. Hours later, I tiredly wiped the flour from my hands and looked around the kitchen. Wanting to be sure I had a sufficient variety of cookies to satisfy every possible preference, I had baked dozens of cookies. There was also a beautifully successful batch of fudge in the refrigerator. (It’s amazing what a decade of practice can accomplish!)
I looked at the clock. It was almost time to leave if I was going to go to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church. I still had pies to bake for Christmas dinner and a kitchen floor to mop, not to mention the divinity that I still needed to make! It looked like I would just have to miss the service.
Guiltily, I realized what that solution said about my priorities in life. I needed to go to the church service, but I couldn’t do everything. I could bake the pies after coming home from church, and the floor could be mopped while the pies were baking. Regretfully, I realized that if I wanted to get any sleep at all, I would have to abandon the idea of the divinity. It seemed strange that I would feel as much disappointment as I did, but it just didn’t feel like Christmas without the divinity.
As it turned out, going to the candlelight service was the best thing I’d done all day. I had been so caught up in preparations that week that I had lost sight of everything that was truly important. God, however, had a message for me that would change my focus.
The Almighty, Holy, Most Powerful God had looked across time and space and seen this crazy mixed-up world that we live in. He had seen the wars, the poverty, the injustice, the violence, the immorality. He saw kings, presidents, and the poorest of men. He saw me, irritable moods, dirty floors, failed divinity, and all. Yet, He did not feel revulsion as one might expect, but rather, He felt an awesome compassion and love. He didn’t wait for people to clean up their lives (or floors!), but “while we were yet sinners”, Christ was born as a human baby with the purpose of suffering and dying for us – dirty, messed-up lives and all.
Now, during a time when we celebrate this wonderful Gift of Love that God has given us, I had been running this way and that, ignoring my family, preparing food, gifts and more. Where was Jesus in my Christmas? He was there on the fireplace mantle, lying in the manger of my nativity scene. That was the only room there was for Him in my busy schedule. We shake our heads at the lack of room at the inn for our Lord and Savior to be born, but has anything really changed? All too often, He is still relegated to the stable.
It was a different person who arrived home that night than the harried, over-tired woman who had left just an hour before. I went to each family member and apologized for the crazy way I had been acting. I finished what needed to be done, and went to bed, my head full of plans for ways in which I could make room for Jesus in my Christmas.
It is now late on Christmas Day as I sit here writing. The guests have gone home, the family is in bed, and I am curled up against one of my Christmas presents – a massaging cushion (wishing it was a foot massager after all those hours standing in the kitchen!). There are toys scattered about the living room as evidence of a fun-filled Christmas. There are mounds of leftover cookies and fudge still covering the kitchen counters. What strikes me the most, however, is the sense of peace and thanksgiving that I feel inside. My Christmas was one full of Divinity after all.
© 1999, 2006 Jessica Wilkinson
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