how the light gets in

by Andrea Smithberger
how the light gets in
  • November 1: Honoring
  • Day 2: Signaling
  • Day 3: Revealing
  • DAY 4: Reminding
  • Day 5: Reflecting
  • Day 6: Changing
  • Day 7: Surrounding
  • Day 8: Healing
  • Day 9: Filtering
  • Day 10: Spreading
  • Day 11: Unveiling
  • Day 12: Distinguishing
  • Day 13: Challenging
  • Day 14: Nourishing
  • Day 15: Unassuming
  • Day 16: Leading
  • Day 17: Delighting
  • Day 18: Reaching
  • Day 19: Shining
  • Day 20: Reviving
  • Day 21: Growing
  • Day 22: Comforting
  • Day 23: Holding Space
  • Day 24: Beckoning
  • Day 25: Stunning
  • Day 26: Igniting
  • Day 28: Introducing
  • November 2020
  • Tag: Maverick City Music

    • Now What

      Posted at 11:06 am by How the Light Gets In, on April 20, 2021

      Now What?

      I asked you to consider sitting in the suffering with me. I dared myself and you to not look away but to look at Jesus and the cross. You did it.

      So, now what… This is the best part!

      This is the best part of knowing Jesus and letting Him know you. This is the best part of understanding that while this world will mean suffering; there’s more because of Jesus.

      Now, it’s time to stand. The suffering of the cross is not the end of the story. The end is that we live.

      Because of Jesus, we live. Easter was not just Jesus dying on the cross but also His busting open the gates of heaven.

      Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, blood, whipping, humiliation AND because of His leaving a tomb empty, going to hell and then sitting next to God the Father in Heaven – because of Jesus we live.

      So, now what?

      Now, we start living the life we were meant to with purpose, through a promise.

      You did it. You were brave enough to look at the cross, to see Jesus suffering. You were brave enough to sit long with your own suffering. It was dark and heavy. That’s enough now. It’s time, you brave and beautiful person.

      Get up.

      Stand.

      Stand, knowing you are worthy.

      Stand, knowing you are loved.

      Stand up.

      If you know me, then you know right now I am standing and my arms are louder than my words because this “now what” part is THE BEST part, all because of Jesus.

      Because of Jesus; death isn’t the end of the story.

      Now what?

      Now there’s hoping.

      Now there’s rising.

      Now there’s living.

      You have purpose you spectacular human being. The way God made you, this world He’s put you in, the pain you’ve been through, may be going through and will go through; He sees the potential for you to rise and live and hope.

      ANTICIPATING so hard your calves are sore, LOOKING so hard your eyebrows are high up on your forehead, EXPECTING so much your heart is pumping hard in your chest – that’s what Jesus has done for me.

      If the only God you’ve seen is through parts of my story here on this babbling blog, Praise God. But there’s more for YOU.

      There’s still more for me too. I think I forgot! You know what looking at the cross did for me? It jogged my memory back through so many pain points AND through more miracles than I can count. I hope you didn’t get stuck on the pain points. It’s time to stand.

      After Jesus died, his disciples were alone and scared. Jesus could have stayed up in beautiful, cozy Heaven but He came back. Can we just recognize that? Let it sink in? He came back. John 20:19 sets the scene; “The disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came and STOOD among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.'” Sometimes, suffering can lock our hearts in fear. If that feels true for you, read that story again.

      Let the message be clear, there is a God old and powerful enough to part waters for His people, creative and beautiful enough to push crocuses up through winter’s frozen dirt, loving enough to constantly be on the search for open hearts so He can pull them in close under the shelter of His wing, bold enough to send His one and only Son after you – YOU. Are you clapping yet? It is ridiculously beautiful and generous and true.

      To keep us pushing through, I am stealing and paraphrasing this paragraph from Priscilla Shirer’s “Elijah” Bible study (p157).

      Stand up.

      Lord, I present myself to you. Here I am Lord. I want to walk in step to the rhythm of Your Grace. I want to lean on and depend on the empowerment of Your Spirit. I’m looking for you Lord. Show me how you want me to adjust my life so I can honor you. I pray Your Spirit would consume me. Give strength to my calves and eyebrows and hands as I live in the anticipation and expectation and hope of Jesus. Amen

      Before you hit play on this one, turn up volume okay? Let it shock you. Let the words bring you to your feet in gratitude and joy – THIS is life with Jesus.

      Posted in APRIL 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Elijah, How the Light Gets In, I Thank God, Jesus, John 20:19-21, Maverick City Music, Now What, priscilla shirer
    • Day 8: Healing

      Posted at 8:45 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 8, 2020

      Day 8: Oh my goodness. I’m excited and nervous to share this.

      Being honest, I don’t know why I got this and others haven’t.

      That’s a reason I didn’t want to share this story.

      It feels uneven because it is… but it doesn’t make it any less true.

      “Still, what I want in my life is to be willing to be dazzled – to cast aside the weight of facts… and maybe even to load a little above this difficult world, I want to believe I am looking into the white fire of a great mystery. I want to believe that the imperfections are nothing – that the light is everything.”  

      Mary Oliver

      HEALING

      O my soul, bless God.
          From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
      O my soul, bless God,
          don’t forget a single blessing!

      3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
          He heals your diseases—every one.
          He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
          He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
          He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
          He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

      6-18 God makes everything come out right;
          he puts victims back on their feet.
      -Psalm 103

      It’s been one year God. I can’t thank you enough. Why me? I don’t know. I pray anyone and everyone who sees this feels hope stirring in their hearts. I pray they push past the idea that hope should feel solid. Hope is fragile and shaky and true. You God, promise healing and light and love. Your promises, better yet, YOU never change. Thank you. Thank you.

      Posted in November 2020 | 2 Comments | Tagged healing, How the Light Gets In, Mary Oliver, Maverick City Music, Pain, Psalm 103

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