Cycles… seasons… repetitions… all have one thing in common: renewal. The sabbath was made for man [Mark 2:27] – we were meant to go for a period and then stop and rest before beginning again. His mercies are new every morning. [Lamentations 3:23]
If you thought life was meant to be lived in a non-stop hamster-wheel, you’re wrong. If it feels like your life is running on a nonstop marathon course, your feelings are giving you a warning – you’re on the wrong track!
In the creation story, in particular days 1 and 4 in Genesis 1:1-5, 14-19, we get light, time, and lights to mark seasons of time. For all our lives we’ve woken up to a brand-new day… we celebrate birthdays… we have calendars to mark off the months in a year.
Just a short time ago we celebrated Christmas and asked ourselves… where has the year gone? And now we are two weeks into a new year 2024. I am taking this opportunity to praise God for all He’s done this past year and for the blessings He’s already shown this year.
From January 5th – 7th, I went to my first Christian women’s retreat along with 200+ other women of faith… including my three sisters, Pat, Lynne, and Annelie, as well as my daughter MaryAnne.
Taking time away from the usual schedule of work and focusing this time on prayer, study, and encouraging each other provided a strengthening I didn’t even know I was missing.
I’m a note-taker… I ‘journal’… and before I lose these notes from some of the key speakers, I want to record some highlights:
- Barbara P: On the parable of the ten virgins… 5 of whom do not bring enough oil [Matthew 25:1-13] This is a tough parable for everyone to read as this speaks to those in the church. In a foot note from the King James bible, she noted that the parable follows Jesus’ telling the disciples about the end times in Matthew 24. If the oil is the Holy Spirit, it must be ‘their’ choice, it cannot be ‘mine’… that relationship w/ Jesus is our: personal faith… personal repentance… personal baptism… personal service… personal holiness… personal preparedness. Reading the Word is necessary – when you’re happy, pick up the Bible and call Jesus. When you’re struggling, pick up the Bible and call Jesus.
- Jade C: a former atheist, now all-in, but working on the hard parts of Spiritual Maturity. In particular, 1 Peter 2:1 Putting away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander… Matthew 5:39 turning the other cheek… Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Romans 12:19-21 Never avenge yourselves… overcome evil with good. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18… our light and momentary afflictions… Don’t wonder which of our trials qualify as ‘light and momentary’… in the perspective of eternity, ALL of our trials now qualify. ALL the tough stuff of this life is insignificant. Three take-aways: (1) IDENTITY – know your self-worth through Christ and don’t give that power to others. (2) Welcome the RESPONSIBILITY to own our feelings and behavior. (3) It is OUR JOB to feel good – take the pressure off of those around you. It is no one’s obligation to please you. (Love that take on the Ephesians 4 passage.)
- Leanne J: Mirrors of grace – Living the Unveiled Life– inspired by Psalm 63 – When I behold Your Glory, I’m undone. In the New Testament with the completed work of Jesus, the veil in the temple was torn – we can approach God and be in His presence. 2 Corinthians 3:4 (our ‘Godfidence‘ 😉) The Victory over death is secured. ‘Victory is not my responsibility it is my response to His ability.’ 2 Corinthians 3:16 – when we turn our faces to the Lord, the veil is taken away… but the god of this age blinds unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4) What hinders our ability to reflect His light is what lies in our hearts… what does our ‘resting face’ look like? RBF or RJF – a resting Jesus face? Both come from our hearts. BEHOLD HIM… Reflect on Him in order to Reflect Him. This year take note of (1) PERSPECTIVE – I become what I behold. (2) POSSESSION – what am I presenting myself to? What am I treasuring or hiding in my heart? (3) PROCLAMATION – what message is my life proclaiming? (4) POSTURE – am I crucified, or surrendered to the will of God, like Christ? Death to my own agenda in order to lead others to eternal life. There is no such thing as sightless sanctification – a glowstick does not glow until it is broken.
- Debbie N: Leave the Night Light On from Inner Healing ministries. Inspired from Psalm 88 – the Dark Night of the Soul. Jesus NEVER leaves a child in need. Questions to ask Him: (1) What gets between me and Jesus? (2) What lie do I believe and what event triggered it? (3) Ask Jesus to reveal where He was when this even happened? (4) Dump the associated feelings and lies in the trash – give the trash to Jesus to toss. (5) Pray: Lord Jesus – I give you the lies, speak the truth to me. (6) What gift do you have in exchange for my pain?
- Joanne T: Prayer for our prodigals. In Luke 15:20 the parable shows what matters… that the prodigal came home. We are to persevere in the waiting and celebrate the stories of deliverance. Our prodigals are choosing to live in the darkness – how do we pray a prodigal back into the light? Remember Romans 8:28 – while we are waiting, God is working. He works in our heads and in the hearts of others. No one is out of His reach… anyone, anything over our heads is under His feet. Romans 8:26 – the Spirit intercedes, Romans 8:34 – Jesus intercedes, Hebrews 7:25 Jesus is able to save to the uttermost – He’s an interceding priest forever. Isaiah 40:31 – Those who wait on the LORD: gain strength, get a better perspective, store up extra energy, deepen our determination to persevere.
Final thoughts shared this weekend were a reminder that the light is not a place to hide – it is meant to be shared.
Light is silent – Light gives direction – Light attracts attention, it does not demand attention.
We remember that we are servants of God and that we are being watched. We are called to be light in a dark world and the world may hate us at first, but they cannot help but be attracted. But be prepared – prepare for battle – Romans 13:12 – put on the armor of light.
Wake up sleeper! The night is nearly over and The Day is almost here. Do not hit the snooze button and allow the darkness to linger. Get up and clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus.
🙏 Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit – Thank You for granting me the opportunity to kick off 2024 with some amazing women of faith. Such a gift you give to us to remind us… we are not alone in battling the darkness around us. Thank You for these role models of women who don’t hide their scars and are willing to share their personal journeys of faith and growth – even the hard parts. I pray over each of these ladies that You hear and attend to their prayers and grant them greater patience and perseverance in their waiting. I pray this for myself as well. You are so good to us – let this be the year that we reflect Your goodness to the world around us. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.