The whole point of discovering the Lord's emphasis on thanks is to connect with His true heart and receive His personal reward for this discipline... Give Him thanks, receive His peace. It would be quite contrary if I went about this pursuit headlong and disregarded the current circumstance of added responsibilities and became an anxious wreck over God's plans. How silly. But we do it all the time. Take the "bull by the horns" in our ministries and leave God's gentle guideance out. I just ran across a quote in my quiet time this morning. It comes from Jesus Today by Sarah Young. "Anxious striving drains you of energy, quiet confidence will give you strength."
Summer life for this mama is much different than when all the kids are in school. I'm not going to whine and complain about how busy I am. I love the activities we're involved in. I love having the kids around me. Summer is my favorite!
In fact, the latest summer activity that we were so blessed to be a part of was Vacation Bible School at our church. This year's theme was a theater camp about summer camp. At the last minute, to help with the flow for... drum roll, please.... "The BIG Show," I was asked to become the "guardian angel" for the band of angels - most of which were between the ages of 4 and 6. Darling, I tell you... however, they move a lot and aren't always the best at following a script (seeing as the oldest of them have only been reading for a portion of Kindergarten).
Well, we were quite the tribe. And we had a very important message to tell, about the hope of heaven, to those lost and scared campers. We told about the way to get into heaven (Jesus' sacrifice and God's grace), what it's like up there (mansions on golden streets), the protection all God's children receive from His loving hands, and the parties that are thrown in the heavenlies for each soul that is saved. So much to be thankful for!
In one week's time we gathered children, learned songs and lines, created sets, costumes, and props, and put on a production. With all the variables that played into this effort, we leaders felt unprepared and under rehearsed for "The BIG Show." But what we discovered was that it left TONS of room for the Lord to do His good work and allow us to trust that He can truly do anything! The production was far from "perfect" but the message was heard, the kids had fun, and I think some parents and grandparents had their hearts filled with joy.
This next verse of thanks talks about the tribes going before the Lord in the temple within the city of Jerusalem. Psalm 122 is a hymn of joy over Jerusalem which was celebrated as the earthly residence of God.
"All the tribes of Israel--the LORD'S people--make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the LORD, as the law requires of Israel." Psalm 122:4 NLT
The Lord gave His children laws about how they were to worship. In Exodus 23:17 it tells us, "Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD." This verse of thanks is referring to one of those three times or pilgrimages to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.
Today we have such a luxury of being able to meet with God at least weekly in our churches. Even better, we can be in His presence whenever we desire through the Holy Spirit.
This "big angel" had a reawakening while on stage yesterday. I had to hold back tears (as to not confuse and scare my little angelic tribe) as my heart and mind were drawn even closer to my Heavenly Father. Playing the roll of a guardian angel, I felt a new connection to heaven. I made a pilgrimage to the house of the Lord, right there on stage, and it felt absolutely glorious. Indescribable. All I can do is thank God for the opportunity of what seemed like unmanageable chaos that allowed this sinner to feel like a precious and perfect saint for about 7 minutes! God is that amazing. God is that good. Give thanks to God!
"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b
No comments:
Post a Comment