OUR COMMUNITY

My heart is to inform you and to hopefully motivate you to go vote NO on Proposal 3.

Sitting here, nine months pregnant, about to cast the most important vote I can remember casting, I find myself understanding it differently this time. For most of my life, I have had a Biblical position about life inside of the womb, now I’ve gotten to experience what it is like to be given the opportunity to carry a child and has made my previous position all that clearer.

Yesterday, I lost a dear friend. Do you know when he was determined to be “gone”? When his heart stopped beating.

Several of my students and peers have tattoos on their arms that start with a live heartbeat and end with a flat line, representing someone's life and death.

When I go in for my prenatal checkups, they check the same thing, every time - his heartbeat.

I lost my dad January 6, 2021. His time of death was determined by when his heart stopped beating.

Scripture tells us that we were known about BEFORE time and grew out of our mothers womb. That we were already thought about before our parents even thought about us…yet, here we are, divided on when life begins (which even science claims proves is at fertilization, followed by a heartbeat) and whose life it is.

For you created my inmost being;

   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

   your works are wonderful,

   I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

   when I was made in the secret place,

   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

   all the days ordained for me were written in your book

   before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

We’ve made a biblical issue a political issue. In some arenas it is said to not be a political issue but a medical issue, which confuses me even further because medically we determine a person's life by their heartbeat.

Right now, I have this small human living and growing inside of me. His heart beat is different from mine. His sleep schedule is different from mine. His hands are different from mine. His feet are different from mine. Everything about him is his own, designed purposefully and intricately by His Father. Yet, for millions like him in the womb right now, they are in the most dangerous place they can be - a womb where he or she doesn’t get to make a decision about their life outside of the womb.

Prop 3 isn’t confusing. Given its purpose, it is not even extreme. It accomplishes several things, but at the top, it allows for the abrupt ending of his and her life. Focus on the Family adds, “It is a targeted attack on children and families by creating rights for minors to not only get abortions without parental consent or notification but also for minors to seek and receive gender reassignment surgeries without parental involvement.”

Many who will read this have a position on this topic. Some because of a presumed understanding, some because of a circumstance, some because of a data point that makes up less than 1% of the current abortions in America (according to Guttmacher Institute).

My heart is to mobilize you to get up and make your voice heard about WHY life inside of the womb DESERVES to be protected and why we, as followers of Christ, ought to be fired up about this proposed legislation.

Throughout Scripture we are cautioned about what happens when we as a people drift further and further from the TRUTH of what God has said about life. We are shown what happens when leadership oversteps its bounds and walks independently of God’s design. And here we are, for the most part, not even knowing this item is on OUR ballot.

God has graciously used my mess to become a small fraction of his story of redemption. That has allowed me to be able to lean in with, mostly college, girls. One after the next, they sit on my couch in tears and it is OFTEN the same reason. Guilt and shame. They’ve made choices they thought were “right” at the moment. They’ve allowed others to take advantage of them. They’ve doubted their self worth so much that they settle for a relationship that ends up wrapping them in more hurt and turmoil. And each and every time, I remind them the guilt and shame they feel is not from the Father, but from an enemy who seeks to destroy us.

…But this is the reality. It is the way the enemy works. He works to first convince us that the “idol” is sweeter than God’s promise. That settling for that one night is going to meet our need. That settling for that hit is going to fulfill. That settling for the buzz is going to give us comfort. And we bite. We take the counterfeit. And one thing spirals into the next thing and we wind up in a situation we never wanted to be in in the first place – but the enemy didn’t show us where he was taking us when he started. We then find ourselves making choices that look like “our only way out”. We make choices that even seem like the “responsible choice”. And then, we are left with guilt and shame. 

In the case of terminating life in the womb – there’s then TWO situations that need healing. ONE, the absence of the child that was developing in your womb and culture telling you that you will “feel better” after terminating its life because of how he or she arrived and TWO, the crippling prison of guilt and shame.

This isn’t a political issue, this is a Biblical issue about where and when life begins. Life that God knew, long before we were here. Are there circumstances that happen that make the child’s arrival harder? For sure. Does abuse exist in this broken world that goes layers and layers deep? Absolutely. And please hear my heart when I say that I am not trying to make less of those and I understand some of those in ways you probably don’t know that I do. But God is still sovereign. God is still in control – even of that life in the womb.

What I hope is heard from this is:

• If you’ve terminated life in your womb, God loves you deeply. Your child skipped out on the turmoil of this broken world and rests in the arms of Jesus. He has already forgiven you.
• If you’re deciding if you should terminate the life in your womb. Don’t. There is help. Find a local church, even if you’ve never stepped foot inside before, and ask them for help. There are families who will help.
• Make your voice heard on what GOD says about this, and vote NO on Prop 3
• Join in prayer, pleading for this proposal to not pass. There are only a handful of states who have language like this on the ballot – Michigan happens to be one of those.
• Read the proposed language of the Proposal here. There are several other things included (and not included), no parental consent needed, no age requirement, sterilization, where a procedure can take place (does not have to be a medical facility) and the mental health of an expecting mother.

As followers of Christ, study God’s word and seek Biblical counsel before anything else when making political decisions. For this specific proposal, I would encourage you to read Scripture that shares with us the value our Father has placed on each human life. When we grasp a glimpse of how much He loves us, we are compelled to share this love to others- including children who are navigating uncertainties, pregnant mothers, and those who have not yet been born. 

When my tongue claims one thing but my heart, at its root, deeply longs for it to still be my definition of “best”.

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I left for our first real, get on a plane and fly, vacation. We had found this adventure because of WHOSE cruise it was and figured the timing was perfect – before we start back with coaching and teaching. During my departure from Dallas, I spent a significant amount of time finding wisdom and healing through the writing and teaching of Lysa Terkeurst. Her story was one I could relate with, yet her constant Christ-relying strength, despite the circumstances, was something I deeply longed for. Well, she happened to be hosting an Alaskan tour and we were pumped. 

Our four bags packed (which is far more extreme than the carry-on we usually use) and ready for a 7-day quest, we boarded the plane - having been COVID tested, multiple ship luggage tags and port passes printed - just waiting for the 24-hour questionnaire to become available. Hovering over Chicago airport, an email comes in that we are now able to complete it! 8-9 questions and we are ready to set sail…

…Unless of course you might be greater than 24 weeks pregnant at any given point during the cruise. In that case, you would be denied boarding. And the tears would flow down your face and the question, “really God?” would be the first one out of my mouth…well, at least they were out of mine.  

None of this is a bash at the cruise lines lack of clarity, but a halt on why the first question out of my mouth was pointing my finger at God, asking why. 

It was in this test, I learned three things: (1) rest before even asking why, (2) His promises are true, always, and (3) my disappointment ultimately was in my response. 

Rest Before Even Asking Why

While debriefing with my counselor about the trip (while she laughed saying, “no one can make up some of the things that happen in your life”) I struggled to see why God would allow this to NOT happen and wanted to let my “why” sit on the table for as long as it needed to UNTIL I felt I had some clarity or “win” from the situation. …Why was I so set on leaving the question on the table rather than just trusting He knew what He was doing? 

How quickly we each get to this place. If we are being honest, it really is just a belief that we have it figured out way better than God does and he should follow our plan, not the latter. I was SO convinced he had missed out on an opportunity to just allow Joe and I to have this adventure together. 

Take this outside of a cruise – which I admittedly know sounds overly pretentious – and think of the failed relationship, the inability to become pregnant, the cancer diagnosis…all real-life challenges we sit and dwell on “why?”. 

While crying on the plane, Joe burying his head in prayer not knowing what to say to his distraught wife, the simple words came to mind, “do you trust me?”

His promises are true, always

Perhaps the most telling part of this test was my quick assumption that the old verse, “God works all things for his good” didn’t play in this situation. Until of course I realized that my “good” and his “good” are two very different things because he sees the whole picture and I just feel my disappointment in the circumstances. 

Friend, can I just remind you that whatever it is you are going through that His goodness is not measured by the circumstance. His goodness is not measured by our five senses. His goodness is not measured by our narrow mind. He is good, despite our inability to see and understand. 

While standing in worship service the following Sunday (when we were supposed to be traveling British Columbia), the lyrics came on the screen “even if, you are good” and I couldn’t help but feel the entire moment I had missed. 

This was far less about not going to Alaska, and far more about using this as an opportunity to show me where I still hold deficiencies, specifically in trying to pair his measure of goodness with my circumstances. 

My disappointment was ultimately in my response

After a week of spending intentional time trying to understand all the things that frustrated me, I wrote down, “I look back and am far less disappointed in not making it to Alaska than I am in how I responded”. 

How true is this moment, in so many ways? I was so quick to grab onto my list of things “I do” in my spiritual walk, quick to grab on to “why I deserve this”, quick to grab onto “but others get to travel and do things”…all the while missing the moment God grabbed my heart, said, “trust me” and taught me for seven days straight where I had skewed understanding of His goodness. 

Let’s be honest, we might never know why we didn’t get on that ship. We thought maybe it would get in a bad accident or that I would experience some complication that week – neither of which happened. But I DID get to experience several moments where the Lord met me, in my disappointment and reminded me to look up and trust Him, because He is a GOOD FATHER. 

This may have been for no other reason than to equip me better for the next test and allow His presence to become more and more real – which I am thankful for. 

Whatever it is, will you join me in taking the “why?” off the table completely? I am not negating emotions being “real”, but sitting at the table, expecting to learn the answer ultimately distracts us from what he DOES have for us each day. It allows the enemy to begin speaking lies and, much like he did with Eve, starts to feed on his manipulative question of, “did God really say?” 

For me, the goalpost is stopping before I get hung up on “why” – because the slope gets real slippery, real quick. 

I have asked myself this question more times than I would like to admit. I wonder if my sin or foolishness will keep me from this divine plan God has set up for my life. However, I also know God is all-powerful, sovereign, and predestines his children… so where do I fall into all of this?  

Before I go into depth on this topic, I want to warn you. I will not be directly answering this question. So, if you are looking for a simple answer, you won’t find it in this blog post. What I am going to do is guide you through what I have learned about God’s sovereignty vs. our responsibility, and then you can answer the question for yourself. 

God’s Sovereignty vs. Our Responsibility.   

This is a paradox if I have ever seen one. How is it possible to have complete free will but at the same time be chosen? IT MAKES NO SENSE! Well fortunately for us, we have scripture that can elevate the stress of trying to uncover all the mysteries of God.   

And for this subject, I will be breaking down Romans 9. Trust me, this chapter will rock you. So, I suggest you read Romans 9 and come back to this blog post, but if not, I will give a quick summary and note from which verses I pull for context. 

Romans 9:  

In Romans, Paul is writing to a small church in Rome that is currently divided between Jews and Gentiles. He spends the first 8 chapters explaining how Jesus fulfilled the law and introduces the concept of Salvation to the Jews. After this, Paul goes into the lifestyle after salvation, for works do not equate to salvation but is a response to salvation. This chapter is primarily focused on God’s sovereignty, election, and free will. 

Paul proses three rhetorical questions within this chapter: 

 1. Did the word of God fail? Vs. 6-14 

2. Is there injustice on God’s part? Vs.14-18 

3. How then can God still find fault? Vs.19-29 

He then proposes the truths to these questions.  

First, he explains how the word of the Lord hasn’t failed but was redefined in continuation of the Old Testament promises and prophecies. Secondly, God is a God of mercy- mercy which is the gracious treatment to someone who deserves punishment. If we deserved salvation, there would be no such thing as mercy.  

Lastly, this question seems all too familiar to mine. Paul states,  “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” vs. 20  Simply put, it is prideful for us to question God’s creation within us. 

SIDE NOTE: Within this chapter, you will also see the word election. This word means to be pre-selected or chosen. There is a disagreement between theologians as to what election means. I suggest you seek guidance from the Holy Spirit if you decide to dig into theology on this topic.   

There are three significant colleges of thought when it comes to election. (vs. 11) 

 1. Calvinism: God’s choice.  

2. Arminianism: Our choice, but God foreknew our choices.   

3. Corporate Election: Plural, Corporate Identity.   

Romans 9 tells us that God is sovereign, we are chosen, but we do have a responsibility to live out our lives according to his law.   

Now back to the question, can I fail God’s plan for my life? Well, I can tell you this, we can’t fail or stop what God has already claimed victory.   

As you try to answer the question and dive deeper into it, remember to move your perspective away from WHAT I CAN DO, to move to what GOD CAN DO. If you focus your complete faith in what you can do, you will not go far. But if you focus on what God can do, you will fall in alignment with his will.  

-Author: Mary Kate Kohl

Although the world that we live in is an extremely beautiful place filled with joy, laughter, and overwhelming evidence of God’s love, our lives are often laced with brokenness, hurt, and disappointment. We as humans experience some sort of brokenness daily. Our families have brokenness, our friendships and relationships have brokenness, our bodies experience brokenness, and our life plans face brokenness. Because we live in a world that is broken, pain and hurt have the potential to exist in many spaces of our lives. 

I just recently learned that the most Googled topic in the year 2021 was, ‘how to heal’. It became so evident to me that through all of the pain and brokenness that we have faced in the past couple of years because of the pandemic and even in years prior, so many people are longing for healing and freedom that only can be found in Jesus. But how do you even find this healing? Sometimes it feels like nothing works, and it can be easy for us to get stuck in a cycle of frustration and disappointment because of unhealed pain encroaching on our joy. And this cycle is what can keep us from truly embracing the blessings that God has for us. 

So where do we begin? I think that the first step in embracing healing is taking the time to fully acknowledge our pain and true feelings. By this, I mean actually sitting down and racking our brains and doing some soul searching to gain a full understanding of everything that we feel. We can ask ourselves questions such as, “When did this pain in my life start?” “What are the different factors that are contributing to the hurt that I’m feeling?” "What other people are involved?” This practice of emotional searching can be extremely difficult to do. This is because our natural tendency as humans is to either numb our emotional pain or avoid it at all costs. We bury the pain in such deep places where we can make it almost impossible to deal with. However, we’ll never be able to let go of it unless we take the time to wrestle it to the surface. 

The process of full acknowledgment requires honesty with ourselves. It requires us to look straight at our pain and sit there with it, allowing ourselves to feel it. It also requires time and patience. Healing doesn’t happen in one day. It can take weeks, months, or even years. It's not a process that you can rush, but you can trust that it will occur in the Lord's timing. 

Following completely acknowledging your pain, the next best thing that you can do for yourself in this time of pursuing healing is to talk to the Lord. Now, I know what you may be feeling at this point. You may be thinking, “That's what everyone says." “Doesn’t He already know how I’m feeling?” “I want answers now.” “I’ve tried that before." These are all valid feelings. It can be frustrating when we talk to God but feel like nobody is listening. I want to remind you that the Lord is ALWAYS with you and hears you in your time of need.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. - Deuteronomy 31:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. - Psalm 32:8

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. - Matthew 11:28-29

Very practically, talking to God about our problems requires a great deal of patience and vulnerability. We have to be okay with the fact that we might not receive an answer right away, or that we might have some difficult things revealed to us. God might reveal the need to forgive yourself or someone else. He might expose a spirit of bitterness or hostility. But God desires for us to feel completely free from our hurt and our pain. For this to occur we have to be willing to open up to Him and let Him work within our hearts. Talk to Him. He wants to hear from you. He wants to show you exactly how much He loves you and values you.

God in his goodness also saw that humans needed community. One of his best displays of love was providing us with brothers and sisters in Christ. In the family of God, we are meant to lean on each other and confide in one another. On your journey towards healing, talk to a brother or sister that you trust. The last thing that the Lord wants for you is to suffer in silence. He longs to use other people in your life to remind you of his love for you. Find someone who will listen, be honest with you, and speak truth into your life.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Lastly, the pursuit of healing can be enriched by spending time in scripture, listening to worship music, and spending time serving other people. I’ve found from personal experience that healing is so much easier when you take your focus off of your problems and fix your eyes on the one who created you and loves you more than anything. Pain seems so much stronger when we allow ourselves to grow distant from God. In your time of healing, I want to encourage you to cling to the Lord in every way that you can. You’ll be surprised at the ways He can realign your focus and bring you authentic, and lasting joy. 

Sometimes we forget that when Jesus carried his cross, He thought of us. When Jesus was being tortured, slandered, spit on, and nailed to a tree, He thought of us. Even on our absolute worst days, the Lord delights in us. We forget that He would still have gone to the cross even if we were the only ones who needed saving. That's how much love God has for us. He wants to heal us. Not only that, but He is the only one with the power to heal us. He wants to take your pain and put other people in your path to help you in your healing journey. He wants you to live freely because he came that you might have life and have it to the fullest. 

Extra Bible Verses About Healing:

➢ John 13:7

➢ Isaiah 41:10

➢ Isaiah 53:45

➢ Jeremiah 33:6

➢ Philippians 4:19

➢ Revelation 21:4 

➢ James 5:16

➢ 1 Peter 2:24

➢ John 14:27

➢ Matthew 11:28-30

➢ Isaiah 40:29

➢ Psalm 30:2

➢ Psalm 103:2-4

➢ Psalm 147:3

Author: Susie Mack

“Oh, why give light to those in misery, and life to those who are bitter? They long for death, and it won’t come. They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.

They’re filled with joy when they finally die, and rejoice when they find the grave.

Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties?” 

-Job 3: 20-23

If you are a believer you have most likely wrestled with this question in one way or another. And I am here today to tell you about my own battle with this question.  So first, I would like to define what love is. 

Love is a deep affection for another. 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13: 5-7

Now I would like to define the first moment of true suffering in my personal life. When I was about 11-12 years old my uncle was diagnosed with cancer. It’s one thing to know someone who has died from cancer and it’s another thing to watch someone die from cancer. The yellow-tinted skin, the sinking in cheekbones, and the tears he shed when he could no longer find the strength to eat. 

I remember sitting outside of the funeral room and peering in to see my grandpa caressing my dead uncle's face and crying “my son, my son”.  He wasn’t there anymore. He was gone.

My uncle was my favorite person in the world. He was funny, kind, and outrageous. He was the one person I felt truly understood and accepted me. I was a wild card. My mouth was bigger than you can imagine and my parents would frequently fear what I was going to do or say next. I didn’t fit into the “norm” as a young girl. But my uncle embraced me. He fully embraced me. This can be a debate but I will tell you I was his favorite by far. (Sorry John). 

I still miss him today. I wish he was here to see me grow up, to see the woman God molded. I wish he’d be at my wedding, dancing on the floor, and harassing my future husband. But that’s just not the case. 

My uncle suffered and died. Why? Well, I’ll tell you why. That year and a half of suffering my uncle turned from a Christian to a Disciple. He always knew who God was, but during that time he learned how to love again. That time was hard but beautiful things happened. My uncle fell in love with a beautiful woman. He was adopted into her family. My uncle was no longer alone. He was held in the arms of people who loved him when he took his last breath. And most importantly, my uncle fell in love with God again. 

Many times we blame God for things he does not do! But why would God, the God above all things, allow such suffering? 

‘Because God so loved the world, he gave his only son to die on the cross so that anyone who believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life.’ -John 3:16  

Love is a choice. What would love be if God forced us to follow him? God gave us a choice so that we may choose to love him. Some did not, and because of that, he put himself through the most suffering of all… the loss of his son. 

“My son, my son.”

Author: Mary Kate Kohl

  Isaiah 7: 1-10

“Take heed and be quiet. Do not fear or be fainthearted.” These eleven words rang deep in my heart this morning.

In this chapter of Isaiah, we hear Isaiah’s plea for Ahaz (one of the most corrupt and wicked kings of Judah), to listen to the prophesy the Lord has given him. At this time, there were threats that they would be ruined and overtaken, and as a result, the people trembled. The text tells us, “his (Ahaz) people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the winds (vs. 2).”

If I am honest, I feel all of this. This feels like the challenges and trials of life today. I feel it in the calls and texts we received just yesterday about another family friend about to lose his life to COVID. I feel it in the hurt and tears of girl’s eyes believing they aren’t worth being here anymore. I feel it in the names of family and friends we are praying for daily to find and know Jesus. I feel it in my own sin and shame and disappointments. 

BUT THEN, we are given the words of The Father, “Take heed and be quiet.”

At first pass these words seem so basic, until you dig out the intention. Isaiah is telling Ahaz, pay attention and stop talking about the problem. Literally trying to push into his heart, “Trust God, take courage in him”.  Ahaz (replace his name with yours), didn’t see the situation as God did. He didn’t see what obedience and trust would get him. He saw his own perceived reality and expectations of defeat. He saw the hurt being “too much”. So, like us, he took matters into his own hands and stood in a posture of disbelief despite the Lord’s words: 

“It will not take place, 

It will not happen…”

These words, I find myself clinging to. Not believing that trials and sufferings are not going to happen (we’ve been promised those!), but THAT God remains in control of the ones that do. That the ones that do come into play are ones He has allowed for a purpose that is far greater than I can even fathom. I love that the text uses the analogy of “smoking logs”. Not even on fire, but just smoking. 

I am not sure the last time you had a campfire, but for those who have, you know all too well the reality of starting a fire with wet logs. They smoke and smoke and smoke some more – sometimes will smoke through the night. The smoky logs are annoying. They make your clothes smell. They give you false hope of heat. Often, they result in packing up your chairs and saying, “we’ll try again another night.” But that is all they are, an inconvenience. 

“What we imagine to be a burning, and a perpetual burning, is but a SLIGHT smoke and of SHORT duration.” (Calvin).

My prayer today is that we cling to this truth. That while our hearts ache, the sufferings continue, and the smoke continues – that we would rest in the TRUTH of who remains in control. That we “take heed” and fix our eyes on The Creator and “be quiet” and stop dwelling on the problem, but rather on the TRUTH of our eternity.

Author: Christie Myers

Lately, I have found myself laughing at our dog, Deuce, giving his best effort to remain by my side at all times. Deuce is a floppy-eared doberman - as goofy and dorky as it sounds. 

They call him a velcro dog, one who doesn't like to leave your side. For those who have been around for the adventure of Deuce, you know it took quite a number of years to get to this point. Regardless, he doesn't often leave my side - that includes his trek up and down the stairs. But what I love - is he has to go ALL the way to the bottom before he can make a complete turn to come follow me back up. 

What's been so intriguing to me, is being reminded of my own faith journey and how it has been necessary to go all the way to the bottom, a place of grief and pain, to be able to properly turn around. 

"If you are willing to be nothing, God will make something of you. The way to the top of the ladder is to begin at the lowest round. In fact, in the church of God, the way up is to go down; BUT he that is ambitious to be at the top will find himself before long at the bottom." - Charles Spurgeon

It is the root of "Be Interruptible", when God in His sovereignty and graciousness showed me that refining me, allowing me to hit rock bottom, was truly one of the most precious gifts. It was there that I found Him. 

Challenge yourself today...

...to ask God what He is trying to teach you, rather than dwelling on the hurt 

...to focus on His promises, rather the worries of tomorrow

...to study scripture, rather than the latest social media trend

...to look up to His provision, rather than building envy and jealously towards those around you.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings" 1 Peter 5: 7-9

Father, I pray for the one reading this right now - that you would remind them of your goodness and faithfulness. In a world that often feels chaotic and broken, that you would remind us of your promises, throughout Scripture, that you remain in control. God, I pray for the one reading this who feels at rock bottom and looking for stairs to turn towards, that you would reveal your outstretched arms to them in a way that is unique and gracious. God, we love you and the way you author our lives - even when we don't understand. It is in Your Sons name we pray, Amen.

Author: Christie Myers

Scripture 

Luke 2

Observations

One of the things to not miss in this chapter is the state of utter chaos that existed. For decades, the entire Mediterranean was filled with wars and violence - sound familiar? They truly were, just as we are, in desperate need of a Savior.

Because of the census, Joseph (and Mary) had to return to Bethlehem (80 miles from where they currently were). This single move seems unnecessary in the story, but it is important to remember that at this time the gossip and stories that were stirring about Mary and her pregnancy. What must have seemed like a long journey provided protection to Mary and Jospeh while also stepping closer to fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament about the place and state of The Messiah's birth. 

"Wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manager". These words are likely ones you have heard in every church play - or Charlie Brown's Christmas - about Jesus' birth. Did you know, that at the time, swaddling clothes were also used to wrap lambs in as they were prepared and sustained for sacrifice? Understand this, up to this point, lambs were offered as sacrifice for peoples sin - wrapped in swaddling clothes. Jesus, the lamb of God, was born as THE PERFECT sacrifice, wrapped in these same cloths. 

In addition, the shepherds that we meet in vs. 8 are likely the same men who protected and cared for the lambs used during sacrifice and were the first onsite! Not only that, but they were so amazed at what they had seen they went on to spread the news of Jesus' birth! 

"The combination of the angelic announcement and the sign of a child in a feeding trough inspired the shepherds to tell as many as they could of what they heard and experienced." (David Guzik)

The authorship of The Father in the details is something that blows my mind! 

Mary and Joseph, rooted in ritual and obedience, took Jesus through the days of purification, presenting Him to the Lord. This was done to fulfill every aspect of the law (Leviticus 12:2-3). Also, according to the Leviticus 12 instructions, parents were to offer a sacrifice at the birth of a son. This was often a lamb but provision was in place, called the Offering of the Poor, which allowed for an offering comprised of two birds. Here we see that was all Mary and Joseph had to offer - again, a detail that is so rich. 

Luke then briefly touches on two individuals, Simeon and Anna and their stories of faithfulness, despite countless reasons to have lost hope in the coming Messiah - but they didn't! (Go and read more about these two if you have time.)

After their return to Nazareth, we don't know much about Jesus' life for several years. 

AND THEN, we find Luke's opening story about Jesus, sitting and teaching in the Temple for what I call the "Jesus Day" version of Home Alone. His parents move along in traveling and don't realize Jesus was left behind. Upon their return, we see the first words of Jesus recorded, "I must be about my Father's business". I love the priority this teaches us. 

Application

Here again, there is so much rich application but my favorite is the Sovereignty of God in the details throughout. Specifically, I sat reading in utter amazement about the swaddling clothes and shepherds and blameless lamb. Growing up being one of the characters in the church play, we downplayed the role of the sheep and shepherds, while so much of that is rich in truth of who Jesus was and is for us today. 

Not only are the details rich, it makes me feel more apart of the story that He cared enough to use the most lowly, the poor, the unsuspecting to accomplish His will. So often, I find my own self in places of doubt believing God would much rather use someone else to accomplish His will and purpose. But, here we see something from Mary and Joseph - they made a choice to say "yes". They didn't have anything to offer but an obedient heart. Despite their own fears, they remained dependent on The Father. 

This is my prayer for us, that we let go of the shame, guilt and hurt that we so quickly believe is ours to own and let HIS TRUTH pierce our hearts. That we would find hope in His promises and rely on his provisions to protect and use us SO THAT He would be praised. 

Author: Christie Myers