The Holy One calls to me this morning. I wake up to the sound of His voice gently pulling me into His presence
Sleep is a sweet escape from all the concerns of this earth life. But when there is a battle to be fought and a war to be won, a sleep-escape after the body is rested can neutralize the warrior.
I am thankful that the Holy One is insistent on our early morning conferences because there are overwhelming things to discuss about life these days.
The Lord knows my frame and makes stops along the journey that allow me to re-arrange the weights I am compelled to carry. He always tells me His yoke is easy and his burden is light, but I insist on bearing burdens not placed on me by Him.
Quite often my burdens become burdens due to my perspective. Sandbags around the legs of the eagle are placed there to strengthen his wings not to cripple his ability to soar. A burden or a tool may look the same unless the purpose for it is defined.
The Lord knows I need an attitude adjustment before I can properly handle the weight and He speaks directly about the heaviest burden I bear and opens up a conversation about the Cross.
I find that there is nothing random in God's economy. I believe there is eternal if not temporal purpose in each detail of my life. While I cannot see where all the pieces will ultimately fit, I trust that the Sovereign One knows and will someday make all things clear to me.
I long to know my Beloved better. I am addicted to His love, and delight in the Sacred Romance whereby He is not reluctant to reveal more and more of Himself each and every day.
Jesus, my Savior, died on a cross for me, so when the Holy One opens up the subject of the Cross, I know He is going for my heart.
The Holy Spirit begins by speaking His Word. Heb 12:2 NIV, "Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame" but goes on to say, "I know the cross you are bearing for Me".
The burden instantly becomes less heavy when I see it in light of our relationship. The enemy of our souls is a liar and a thief. His primary objective in all our lives is to separate us from the love of God.
Since God is love and evil cannot separate us from the "love" at God's end, we humans become his target and he works relentlessly to manipulate our perspective and destroy the love relationship with our Creator from our end. His agenda is to keep the unsaved in darkness and the saved in doubt about the love of our Creator God.
The death of Jesus on the Cross at Calvary represents the greatest humiliation a human could possibly endure. Beyond the physical pain of a body tortured beyond recognition, the emotional toll of being stripped naked for all eyes to see puts a whole other meaning to the shame that Jesus suffered. The shame our Savior bore was the shame that was found in the garden that drove the original pair to cover themselves with leaves. He bore the shame of their sin nakedness and ours.
But what was the "joy" spoken of that was set before Him that enabled my Lord to endure the Cross and it's shame?
On a human level we pay great respect to our fallen heroes; those men and women who give their lives for a cause. Our government hands out medals to those who exhibit such courage unto the death. I doubt that, on the battlefield, our fallen heroes are motivated by that reward. I would imagine that in the trenches it's their heart of love for the ones they are fighting for that keeps them going.
While the enemy tries to get me to focus on survival, the Lord speaks to me about His purpose in the war. These early morning conference calls, serve as what might be considered "time in the trenches" to evaluate the battle, listen for the strategy of my Commander-in-Chief that will provide the victory His way, and remember the love that put me here in the first place.
The Holy One reminds me of my first love. He takes me back to the One who suffered excruciating agony to make our relationship with God possible here on earth and beyond into eternity.
It was His heart of unconditional and ultimate love that put Him on the Cross. But what about the joy that enabled Him to endure?
Was it the sweet anticipation of reunion with the Father and a return to His throne of Glory that brought the joy?
Was it the sense of the mission about to be accomplished that brought the joy?
Was it knowing that the object of His love (AKA us) would be forever in his company that brought the joy?
My money is on the upcoming joy of His unity with you and me made possible in no other way than through the cross. I believe that from the very foundation of the earth His motive was to restore Paradise lost and reclaim the intended love relationship with His Beloved creation, man. The love thoughts of you and me able to be with Him forever, brought the joy, and that joy brought the endurance.
"Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you do not lose heart." Heb 12:2-3 NIV
Today I am encouraged and I find more strength to endure the cross I am bearing. The cross of His suffering ended in complete victory, as will mine. I realize that persecution is actually bearable as it unifies me with my Beloved. The joy I find in our Sacred Romance enables me to endure the humiliation and pain it might cost.
The Spirit is calling. Can you hear him?
Sleep is a sweet escape from all the concerns of this earth life. But when there is a battle to be fought and a war to be won, a sleep-escape after the body is rested can neutralize the warrior.
I am thankful that the Holy One is insistent on our early morning conferences because there are overwhelming things to discuss about life these days.
The Lord knows my frame and makes stops along the journey that allow me to re-arrange the weights I am compelled to carry. He always tells me His yoke is easy and his burden is light, but I insist on bearing burdens not placed on me by Him.
Quite often my burdens become burdens due to my perspective. Sandbags around the legs of the eagle are placed there to strengthen his wings not to cripple his ability to soar. A burden or a tool may look the same unless the purpose for it is defined.
The Lord knows I need an attitude adjustment before I can properly handle the weight and He speaks directly about the heaviest burden I bear and opens up a conversation about the Cross.
I find that there is nothing random in God's economy. I believe there is eternal if not temporal purpose in each detail of my life. While I cannot see where all the pieces will ultimately fit, I trust that the Sovereign One knows and will someday make all things clear to me.
I long to know my Beloved better. I am addicted to His love, and delight in the Sacred Romance whereby He is not reluctant to reveal more and more of Himself each and every day.
Jesus, my Savior, died on a cross for me, so when the Holy One opens up the subject of the Cross, I know He is going for my heart.
The Holy Spirit begins by speaking His Word. Heb 12:2 NIV, "Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame" but goes on to say, "I know the cross you are bearing for Me".
The burden instantly becomes less heavy when I see it in light of our relationship. The enemy of our souls is a liar and a thief. His primary objective in all our lives is to separate us from the love of God.
Since God is love and evil cannot separate us from the "love" at God's end, we humans become his target and he works relentlessly to manipulate our perspective and destroy the love relationship with our Creator from our end. His agenda is to keep the unsaved in darkness and the saved in doubt about the love of our Creator God.
The death of Jesus on the Cross at Calvary represents the greatest humiliation a human could possibly endure. Beyond the physical pain of a body tortured beyond recognition, the emotional toll of being stripped naked for all eyes to see puts a whole other meaning to the shame that Jesus suffered. The shame our Savior bore was the shame that was found in the garden that drove the original pair to cover themselves with leaves. He bore the shame of their sin nakedness and ours.
But what was the "joy" spoken of that was set before Him that enabled my Lord to endure the Cross and it's shame?
On a human level we pay great respect to our fallen heroes; those men and women who give their lives for a cause. Our government hands out medals to those who exhibit such courage unto the death. I doubt that, on the battlefield, our fallen heroes are motivated by that reward. I would imagine that in the trenches it's their heart of love for the ones they are fighting for that keeps them going.
While the enemy tries to get me to focus on survival, the Lord speaks to me about His purpose in the war. These early morning conference calls, serve as what might be considered "time in the trenches" to evaluate the battle, listen for the strategy of my Commander-in-Chief that will provide the victory His way, and remember the love that put me here in the first place.
The Holy One reminds me of my first love. He takes me back to the One who suffered excruciating agony to make our relationship with God possible here on earth and beyond into eternity.
It was His heart of unconditional and ultimate love that put Him on the Cross. But what about the joy that enabled Him to endure?
Was it the sweet anticipation of reunion with the Father and a return to His throne of Glory that brought the joy?
Was it the sense of the mission about to be accomplished that brought the joy?
Was it knowing that the object of His love (AKA us) would be forever in his company that brought the joy?
My money is on the upcoming joy of His unity with you and me made possible in no other way than through the cross. I believe that from the very foundation of the earth His motive was to restore Paradise lost and reclaim the intended love relationship with His Beloved creation, man. The love thoughts of you and me able to be with Him forever, brought the joy, and that joy brought the endurance.
"Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you do not lose heart." Heb 12:2-3 NIV
Today I am encouraged and I find more strength to endure the cross I am bearing. The cross of His suffering ended in complete victory, as will mine. I realize that persecution is actually bearable as it unifies me with my Beloved. The joy I find in our Sacred Romance enables me to endure the humiliation and pain it might cost.
The Spirit is calling. Can you hear him?
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