Psalm 16:11 | 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

I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days in Tucson this past week. Just me and Jason. Have you ever been? Tucson looks like and feels like a different planet. My time there was everything I needed it to be; quiet, relaxing, delicious, beautiful, and even challenging.

There was a trail across from our resort and I was determined to hike it.

And, dang it, I got lost.

About 40 minutes into a pretty good trek, I realized I was NOT on the right path. Also, my water bottle was empty. Also, I was alone with no cellphone reception. Also? I was alone. No bueno.

So, I gave myself a super pep talk; “Well, now you’ve done it Andrea. We just made it through CRAP and you’re gonna just die here on a dry trail. You’re amazing.” This drama was all out loud of course, because there was NO ONE around.

Didn’t matter what direction I looked, it was all the same dry dirt, funky cactus and hot sun. I tried going backwards, but an imposing herd of deer stood their ground, not letting me through. They’re called “mule deer.” Weirdos totally freaked me out.

I tried going up but I just kept slipping. I even stood in the same spot for a while… You HAVE to know a metaphor is coming, right? All I saw were the long spikes on the cactus, the dusty, dry dirt, the unstable rocks, the the steep angle dooowwwnn and I could NOT help but think of… me. The sting of self-doubt, the choking of anxiety, the downward spiral of depression, the instability of emotion – I am this path. This is the most horticulturally-accurate version of my life last year!

The zig zag, the climb, the not seeing around the bend, ALL OF IT was just so close to home. And my out-loud conversation continued, “Okay, I see it. But what’s going to help me now?” When I looked down, the answer was right there in the dirt.

Footprints. Seeing all the footprints told me someone had been there before.

And sometimes, that’s enough, right? To know someone has walked that path of pain, loss, victory, growth, is all we need. The parallel was so sweet so I cried. And I kept following the footprints. And I kept crying and thanking God for all of you.

That’s the power of sharing our stories. It’s like leaving footprints. And those footprints, or stories, are so very important. Your story matters. My story matters. They keep us connected. After all, we belong to each other. We’re all in this life together. Keeping with the horticultural theme: maybe you’ve been bumping into a spiky cactus or staring up a steep cliff. Or maybe, God bless your lucky behind, you are the one sitting back on soft, green grass. Share your story. Leave your footprint.

God treasures stories so much he left His footprints through His own son. I would be lost without the story of Jesus. Before Jesus was born, David said in the book of Psalms (16:11) “You make known to me the Path of Life. You fill me with Joy in your presence.” Generations later, Paul (who walked with Jesus) says , “You have made known to me the Paths of Life. You will fill me with joy in your presence.” – Acts 2:28.

And today, we can say together, “Thank you for our paths. Help us look for the footprints. Keep us close God and fill us with joy.”

Keep walking. Keep sharing.

how the light gets in

Tag: Psalm 16:11

CHRISTMAS – Day 25

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

Merry Christmas

Footprints

Posted at 11:21 am by How the Light Gets In, on October 26, 2017

Footprints. Seeing all the footprints told me someone had been there before.