John 11:38 | how the light gets in

Merry Christmas

You did it. WE did it! Hooray for us! 24 days of reading God’s word. 24 days of devoting a little time to learning God’s voice. I’m so proud of you and me!

Take a moment to scroll all the way back to Day One. Grab a piece of paper and a pencil and jot down the websites, books, Instagram accounts, Music, Photography, Email subscriptions, Apps, Artists, Podcasts, Places, People, Recipes.

Then, take note of what struck you most – was it the beauty, the pain, the encouragement, the community?

Finally, we should list all the scripture from the posts. The Bible still blows my mind with all those words written so long ago and somehow still very alive and so powerful.

You know what ALLLLL this tells me?

GOD

WILL

STOP

NOTHING.

God will stop at nothing to get YOUR attention.

These 24 days have just been a glimpse of how relentless God is trying to grab your attention.

Christmas gives us the sweetest example of this. Immanuel is God with us.

Jesus IS God with us.

But wait, the story doesn’t end here. There’s Good News! Jesus wasn’t just born, end of story. Jesus lived a life full of friendship and story telling and healing and teaching and loving. There’s more to learn. Jesus didn’t just live for you and me. He also died for you and me.

Today we celebrate His birth but there’s so much more.

And hey, if you’re reading this you’re alive too which means God’s not done with you. Your story with Him might just be beginning. Or maybe you go way back. Either way, keep walking with Jesus. Read His Word. Learn His voice. Look for Him.

Remember how we started this journey with Gods word as a “lamp for our feet”? Today let’s celebrate because the light is here. Jesus – God with us – is here “to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:79)

Thank you for being with me this Advent. You have made it so special for me.

One last song Reckless Love

One of the reasons I started writing this blog is to share how I’m learning that brokenness can lead to beauty. Learn-ING. See that? I do not have this down but I am try-ING! Looking for “how the light gets in” sounds poetic and pretty. But this is work and it can be hard.

Right now. I am writing this to encourage my own heart because right now there are so many broken pieces. Plus, my stupid pain came back but I’m grateful for it. The hurt refreshed a lesson I learned recently and want to share. Maybe you can find encouragement in this too.

John, chapter 11, tells us the story of Lazarus’ death. Lazarus is Martha and Mary’s brother. He’s a good friend of Jesus, as are Martha and Mary. When Lazarus gets very sick, the sisters call for Jesus. And Jesus shows up, seemingly, too late. Lazarus is dead.

Here’s how the two sisters approach Jesus. Martha goes to Jesus. She runs to him with her hurt and her questions and her WHY and WHERE WERE YOU and her faith (shaky but still intact faith). “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died.” She’s taking her brokenness to Jesus. He answers her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” That’s a loaded answer. So, let’s just look simply at the interaction. Martha unloads her sadness, frustration, everything to Jesus and HE ANSWERS HER. Now, Mary is a different story. Maybe the girl is ticked off. Her brother is dead. Jesus did not save him. And, when Mary hears Jesus is in town she does NOT go to him. Martha rushes to Mary and says, Jesus is here for you. Do you have a Martha in your life? We all need a Martha. “The Teacher is here and is asking for you,” Martha tells her. Jesus is close the whole time but needs an invitation into her pain.

JESUS IS CLOSE THE WHOLE TIME BUT NEEDS AN INVITATION INTO YOUR PAIN.

Mary took Martha’s nudge and went running to her friend. “She fell at his feet and said, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'” Do you know what Jesus did when he saw her crying? He cried too. And then he prayed to his Father. Oh Jesus is so good. Jesus then raises Lazarus from the dead. And while, yes, holy moly that is quite a miracle; the relationships are what make me cry and teach me and encourage me.

I took a lot to Jesus this morning. I might have even cussed a few times. There are a lot of broken pieces in this world, in my circle.
Can I be your Martha right now?

Jesus is close by and he’s asking for you.

Jesus is waiting to hear your story.

And He will cry with you.

I am grateful for all my Martha’s, my Mary’s and most of all my Jesus.

how the light gets in

Tag: John 11:38

CHRISTMAS – Day 25

Posted at 2:09 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas

Right now…

Posted at 11:07 am by How the Light Gets In, on October 17, 2017

Jesus is close by and he’s asking for you.

Jesus is waiting to hear your story.

And He will cry with you.