Light That Restores

(by Lorie Codispoti)

When was the last time you experienced a power outage?

Living through a natural disaster is challenging enough, but the prolonged power outages that can result only add to the intense level of mental stress.

We have experienced many power outages out here in the boonies. They have come in every season, so being prepared for their unwanted visitation is very important. While it may be fun to light candles and camp out next to the wood stove for a night or two in the middle of a snowstorm, most of us are not equipped to handle a prolonged event.

Why?

Because power outages are not limited to the physical realm.

Unpredictable spiritual storms can take our Power out too. And if we’re not prepared, we can be overwhelmed by the darkness. The question isn’t whether or not the storms will come; the question is how will we respond when the Light goes out?

Think about some of your go-tos for relief when you feel physically, emotionally or psychologically drained (the very definition of stress). We all have them.

We rely on certain mechanisms to help us relieve the stress that accompanies this life. My husband enjoys going outside and splitting wood when he is stressed. Our son also enjoys splitting wood when he comes to visit. He also enjoys playing his guitar, and opportunities to sit at a coffee shop with a good book. My daughter would always bake or escape into a good book when she was younger. Now she finds that hiking with her dog helps to recharge her batteries. And me? I can literally feel the strain ease up and melt away when I can go out on a long walk or escape into something creative.

Goodness knows we all need help when it comes to relieving the stressors that plague us in this life. When you find a healthy and beneficial way to stave off the negative effects of stress it can be a huge blessing.

But, here’s the thing about those go-to stress relievers: They don’t last.

Your short-term stress relief is not meant to carry you through a long-term power outage. It will not see you through the storms that throw your life off course.

So, if finding relief isn’t the key, what is?

Light!

Every artisan knows how critical light is to their design.

There’s a scene in a movie I like, where a famous architect is trying to reconnect with his estranged son - who is also making a name for himself in the architectural world. Before he dies, the father wants to pass on the secret to his success…

“A truly great structure, one that is meant to stand the tests of time never disregards its environment. A serious architect takes that into account. He knows that if he wants presence, he must consult with nature. He must be captivated by the light. Always the light.”

Believers, Jesus is our Light! (“I am the light of the world…” Jn.8:12)

We too need to recognize and harness the source of Light if we hope to be built into a structure that reflects it (1Pet.2:5). If we’re not captivated by the Light resident in God’s Son, then we will succumb to the darkness. Our short term, go-to mechanisms for relief are simply not enough to stay the course and weather the storms that can take us by surprise.

Jesus’ light is no secret, however. He’s given every believer the access code to punch into the keypad of our hearts when the power goes out. Part of that code includes two actions:

1. COME (“Come away with Me…and rest” (Mk.6:31-32) / “Come to Me…I will give you rest” (Mtt.11:28).)
Both of these passages imply a kind of relief that provides much more than a short term recharge. When we come to Jesus He restores us. His Light replenishes what the darkness attempts to steal.

2. ABIDE “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (Jn.8:31-32).)
This abiding is a continual, ongoing thing. In Psalm 91 the writer says this type of abiding provides a refuge and fortress. Notice, also, that abiding in Jesus’ word enables us to discern truth and make us free.

For the past four years my disability has prevented me from exercising my go-to relievers. I pray that I will be able to enjoy them again one day, but during this prolonged power outage I have discovered the restorative benefits of coming away with Christ and abiding in His presence. And the beauty of His Light never ceases to captivate my heart.

The next time your power goes out, I encourage you to turn off the short-term relief and turn on the Light that will restore your soul.

Remember, it’s "always the Light!"

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com

Beautiful Feet

(by Lorie Codispoti)

Is there anything more precious than baby feet?

I’ve lived a long time, and I’ve seen some not-so-cute babies in my day, but not a one of them has ever possessed anything less than adorable toes attached to precious little feet. I know this to be true because I’m pretty much known for unwrapping every layer until I see those tiny toes wiggle.

God likes feet too!

Not only did He design them, but He describes the “feet of those who bring good news” as “beautiful” in the book of Isaiah (52:7).

I can’t help but think about how many times Mary must have wondered about the tiny feet that kicked inside her womb. Did she pray for those wee little feet and ponder the many miles her Son would walk along their dusty roads in order to share His “good news” to the world? Mary knew that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but she had no idea that one day he would be so hated by the people around Him that they would drive metal stakes into the beautiful feet that she cherished.

I wonder if the immensely valuable gifts of the Maji came to mind as Mary watched her beloved Son die. I imagine she understood the significance of the gold (representing Christ’s kingship on Earth), and the significance of the frankincense (symbolizing His deity). But, what about the myrrh? It symbolizes death. She had no way of knowing what this prophetic gift represented as she watched Jesus take His first steps and learn to run and play. I imagine she was perplexed at what was happening at the cross, but I can also see how the Lord would have used the reminder of these gifts to comfort her heart with His unending faithfulness, and the assurance that each of His promises would be fulfilled.

Centuries later, another mother was moved by the tiny feet of a baby - only this baby never had the chance to live outside of its mother’s womb.

You may not be familiar with the name Virginia Evers, but I bet you'd recognize the gold lapel pin she designed. While preparing for a pro-life march in San Diego (on the first anniversary of Roe v. Wade in 1974), Virginia saw a photograph of the tiny feet of a 10-week-old fetus. Unable to shake the image from her mind, she told her husband that the precious little feet of that baby should be the symbol of the pro-life movement. A few years later she designed the Precious Feet lapel pin, which is measured to the size of a 10 week old fetus. To this day it remains the International Pro-Life Symbol, and people have been wearing it in solidarity of aborted babies ever since.

The day is coming when the feet of Mary’s Son will again walk on the earth. However, this time it will not be as a babe coming to proclaim salvation to the lost. It will be as the reigning King who comes to judge and destroy all that was lost when Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden.

What about the gold, frankensence, and myrrh that was so incredibly valuable the first time Christ came to the Earth?

They’re mentioned again in Revelation 18 - only this time the mourners are not the ones who loved the Messiah and followed Him to the cross. The three things so highly valued in Jesus day are listed among the things the modern day merchants will extort to accommodate their lavish lifestyles. But, everything they live for will mean nothing when it is all destroyed “in one hour” (vs.17). Everything of material value will burn, and this time the mourners will be those who rejected the greatest treasure the world has ever known - Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Listen!

Can you hear it? The pitter patter of little feet?

However, the closer these feet get the mightier the sound. And that’s because the once defenseless, fragile feet of every aborted and murdered baby has been transformed into a mighty army, empowered by the King who rescued them. They are following Him into the battle that will destroy all His enemies.

These are the tiny feet that will dance with every other Christ follower on Heaven’s streets of gold.

That’s right. One of the most valuable things in our world becomes the pavement that resides under the “beautiful feet” that will forever celebrate the good news of our Great King.

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com