Hello! It's been a bit since I hopped on here; I've missed you, Friend. *hugs* Let's catch up in the comments!
To those who, by keeping to what is right, continually set their hearts on these—glory and honor and immortality—He will grant life in the age to come.
- Romans 2:7
Oh, may that be me, us! May we be found keeping to what is right. Continually setting our hearts on God. Press on, Friend.
I can't describe the last few months in a sentence, but I do wanna share a special moment here. And who knows? Maybe there'll be more fun posts soon. ;)
A few weeks ago, I sat on one of those big, wooden spool thingies (what are they even called?) in the middle of our forest clearing. I pulled my feet close to my body. Half-wilted flowers lay around my toes, smudges of frosting, and they were the remnant of a wedding.
And when I lifted my chin, I saw a wedding arch above spring grass, and I wondered.
What if life moments are sacred?
Because earlier, my brother made a vow to a lovely woman who returned the promises, and somehow, God was there. There was a wedding with flower crowns and photos, dear friends and good food. The couple committed their lives together and drove away on their honeymoon.
But when it was over, I still sat in the clearing with tears and wondered how ordinary moments can become sacred.
I wonder if those type of moments are all around me.
What if right now, right where you are, God is waiting to make this moment more? What if there's beauty beyond the four walls or job schedule or ordinary tasks waiting to be completed?
What if I looked deep into the eyes of people around me and remembered: they're made in His image?
What if I paused and realized that right now the Holy Spirit is literally in this room? If I saw that He is always at work around me?
Because the wedding didn't feel different. I cut tomatoes and carried a tier of the cake down the hill, panting (it was heavy). I curled little girls' hair and ran around in my yellow Crocs. It was ordinary. And yet, it was sacred.
I sat pondering, and I cried too. My brother was gone, and it wasn't bad, but it was different. It made me think of Jesus.
I miss Jesus. I wish He was here. I wondered why He had to go away and sometimes asked how this promise was true:
Yet I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I am leaving. If I don’t leave, you see, the Helper will not come to you. If I go, however, I will send Him to you.
- John 16:7
That's why ordinary moments can be sacred: because there's this Helper who is living inside me and every person who puts their faith in Him. He transforms life.
Looking back on this year, that's what I yearn for: Jesus will return, and we'll have a glorious wedding one day. But today - right now - we have His Spirit in us. He answers prayer. He works around us. He connects His people in ways too wonderful to describe.
And He is in this simple life moment. That makes it sacred.
I pray God opens my eyes.
Lord, please help me fight these distractions that pull my vision down to this earth, let me see the way You do. Let me look for sacred moments. Let me look in the eyes of beautiful people around me and be blown away by the You in this world that's home for now.
Now, the “sting” that leads to death is sin, and sin’s severity and intensity turn on the Law. Yet thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus the Messiah!
So then, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, excelling in the Lord’s work always, knowing that your hard work and difficulties aren’t for nothing in union with the Lord.