11-14-2016 Not About Me

Then they asked him, “What must we do to perform God’s works?”

Jesus answered them, “This is God’s work: to believe in the one whom he has sent.”

John 6:28-29

Standing, sorting, pulling, cutting, folding, standing, sorting, pulling, cutting, folding, standing, sorting,  pulling, cutting, folding…

- and on it goes. I say to myself, How mundane, how ordinary. Am I really contributing? Is my effort of any real value?

We are at the Joseph Project, Lord. Of course you know that. It is you who has introduced us to this amazing organization of amazing people. These beautiful obedient ones not only offer food and clothing to indigent and needful people throughout Israel (of any ethnic and religious persuasion), but they also contribute with their own personal stories.

We have come to know them through shared experiences and I’m honored that they would consider us meaningful partners. Our tiny group of five now stand at tables; boxes of clothes stacked beside us. We are plucking out individual articles – shirts – pants – coats, donated by clothing outlets. This is high quality stuff and I’m struck by the generosity of those who offer the coverings at no charge, so that the Joseph Project can distribute them as gifts.

We are pulling off the sales tags and folding the clothes to be shipped out. It’s really simple work. Almost too simple, I’m tempted to think. Shouldn’t I be better utilized according to my “spiritual gifts assessment form”? After all, I’m a mighty good networker and a decent sales guy. Shouldn’t that be how I serve, rather than sorting textiles?

And that’s when you tap me on the spiritual shoulder, Lord. You remind me that this work is not about me. I’m just the vessel, not the precious contents. Whatever gift I think I bring, or high opinion I might have about myself, need to be left at the altar as confessions of arrogance. After all, coming here was your idea, Jesus, not mine.

So as I sort, I pray within to get my head on straight. The joy of simply serving washes over me. You will see to it that my efforts are worthy. You will bless Joseph Project and cause their efforts to expand according to Your ways, with Your spirit lifting up their powerful ministry.

I on the other hand will walk out the door at the end of the day to be about other things. Maybe I’ll return to serve again, maybe I won’t, You will determine it all, not me.

YHWH help me to continue to grow in the one way that always matters, by believing in the one whom You have sent to die for my selfish ways. I pray simply that, just as Jesus showed me how to do – when You request, I be available.

Mark C.

11-14-2016 The Moriah Wonder

Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you? – majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. By your loyal love you will lead the people whom you have redeemed; you will guide them by your strength to your holy dwelling place. Exodus 15:11-13

I feel so shallow, Adonai, as if I am just scratching the surface of your depths, as when I look at the thousands of stars in the night sky and realize there are billions behind each one.

We are at the Jaffa Gate and the history of Christ Church, Herod’s Tower and the ministry of patient years pours over me. But you whisper, “Wait, I have more for you.” I sense a cosmic chuckle in my soul as you tease my curiosity. As we walk the alleyways of this ancient place, a friend of a friend appears. He seems to be a “nice guy” and it turns out this man of 60+ years is a student at the Jerusalem University College.

I’m instantly aware he has knowledge beyond my scope and so I go into intensive listening mode. He’s humble and doesn’t think himself adequate to the teaching task, his next words seem almost a push off. “There’s a small museum right here next to the church. It’s only one room, but I recommend it.”

Is he trying to dismiss or to deliver? Is this some ploy to acquire a donation to the affiliated university? Only one way to find out Lord… - As we enter the museum, I’m not impressed. Before me there is a decent relief model of the old city from the time period approximately 30 years after your time of dwelling here. To my left in a corner is another model of the current structure, the Al-Aqsa mosque now covering the site of what once was the first and second Hebrew Temples.

Another man comes in and introduces himself with his first name only, explaining that he’s from North Carolina. What is he doing here? What qualifies him?” I wonder. You answer through his next words… “-Why is there a church on these grounds with no permanent Christian symbols?” Then in perfect Rabbinical style, he responds to his own question, “Remember who ruled this area in the 1500s. The Ottomans. He then proceeded to ask more leading questions and to answer leading to more enlightenment.

The bottom line that this subtle Southerner teaches us is that You YHWH, have been quietly injecting Your agents into this land to impact others, mostly by quiet, consistent testimony through selfless acts of service. Not that Your ways are surprising to me any longer, but Your means certainly do intrigue. Mankind tried to obliterate Your people and Your city from all history.

But You, God, utilizing the desires of the Ottoman Caliphate who wanted to map the subterranean foundations of the mosque which occupied Your holiest earthly site, engaged the services of a European engineer who had the skills necessary to crawl under and physically survey beneath the revered ground. He was (and remains) the only non-Muslim ever allowed to do so in modern history.

Who would have thought that such an obscure act in the middle 19th Century would impact us today? That engineer discovered a miraculous labyrinth of arches catacombimbing and supporting today’s structures. Who would know that the model of that special structure would be spirited away to some dark vault in Vienna until four years ago, ultimately to be rediscovered and donated to this tiny nondescript gallery where its secrets are now revealed to thousands on a yearly basis? It reveals to believers and sceptics alike in these times that the ground beneath the current structure was not filled in with rock and dirt as previously thought, but was actually an ingeniously constructed support structure that must harbor a treasure trove of spiritual and physical history.

Why is this such an epiphany to me Lord? Why is light shown into a dismal basement causing my spiritual skin to tingle? It’s evidence of Your greater work unfolding. It reveals to me what prophesy promised long ago: that a new temple based on the ancient model can and will exist. Don’t get me wrong, Lord, I’m not overly thrilled by the idea of a new temple structure – there are prophecies about it that don’t present a pretty picture. But as I gaze at the model, I understand how it demonstrates the accuracy of what

You have planned for Your city and the world. It suggests that we are creeping ever closer to a moment when a dark force will make a bold move to discredit You, and it serves as yet one more precursive validation that you, Jesus will finally return to vanquish your people.

I know, Lord. What seems significant to me may not speak to others. No matter. I see You moving in this historical drama I’ve just been privy to. I comprehend how the words of writers long ago match up to the facsimiles laid out before my eyes. It all speaks to one conclusion, your eminent return is quite accurately and articulately predicted.

I walk out of this profoundly insightful place, not in any way depending on the information that has been downloaded. But I am acutely grateful for it. My faith is now supported by a newly unearthed foundation and by Your patient ethereal hand, my testimony of Your great kingdom building program is further strengthened. So encouraged, I testify. Once again, Your plan far ahead of mankind’s complete understanding, serves Your purpose and our benefit.

B’aruk Ata,

Mark C.

11-11-2016 Spirit Of Nations

Shout out praises to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with joy! Enter his presence with joyful singing! Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give him thanks! Praise his name! For the LORD is good. His loyal love endures, and he is faithful through all generations.

Psalm 100:1-5 

Today was most definitely a highlight, a “keeper”. And as typical, it started with an inconvenient accident. I’ve become alert to the fact that when things don’t go exactly as I have planned (or want), you are preparing me for a wonderful change. Here we are in Israel, in one of my favorite places on the planet - Gennesaret, more familiarly known by it’s Biblical title, the Sea of Galilee. We are preparing for a trip onto the waters in a vessel captained by a Christian brother who takes people out to worship with songs and praise. This in itself is a fantastic moment, but it is made more so by the fact that our small group will be sharing the sail with a larger group of French believers. The opportunity to share our faith in you with the faithful of another country is something that I’ve been anticipating for many weeks. We have not met this group before and I’m excited about communing in our love for you.

But when we arrive at the boat, we’re told the French group has not shown up. It turns out they are behind schedule and so they / we will only be able to worship on the water together for a mere 30 minutes – a blink of an eye when it comes to such spiritual matters. None the less we hope to make the most of the moment and when they arrive, we greet them warmly. They return the welcome in a familiar way that is hard to explain to those who don’t share our faith in You, the God that desires forgiveness in relationship. As we push off from the dock, Captain Daniel calls me over for a private conversation and explains, “Mark, I’m so sorry for the shortness of the trip. I would like for your group to stay on the boat after this ride is completed and join us also for the next group.”

What a gracious proposal. We have just been given expanded time in the place where you sailed with your disciples and, just as you offered them additional exclusive time together, we now will have extra time to bow before you, wrapped in the panorama of perpetual history. I stand on the bow of the boat staring first into the rich green waters and thinking a strange thought. I want so much to jump in and soak in the liquid moment. A voice of one of my companions next to me interrupts my private reflection, “I’ll jump in if you do.” I am delighted by the realization that she had shared the exact desire as I and it makes me wonder how many others over countless trips had considered the same? My gaze then lifts up to the surrounding countryside, the mountains and the fertile fields that embrace the shore that frame our encounter. A hazy blue sky canopies us as a hoopa, reminding me of your planned wedding to us. This is one more beautiful rehearsal that you have allowed me. Thank you, Jesus .

The sun bounces off the waters onto another canopy, the one that covers the boat, allowing your light to dance in ripples over us. And the wind whispered your presence. I am as near to you as I have ever been and I want to freeze the warm moment. It is then that I realize there is more going on here. Your French believers are singing a lovely song. I had studied the language in school and so I actually catch some simple phrases, including, “Notre spiriteux d’accord Jesus, avec tu—Our spirits agree (belong) Jesus, with you.”

It is such a perfect moment, made more so by a Frenchman, I never caught his name, who started talking passionately about another special moment. Again I catch snippets, “Orage – Storm, Alarme – Alarm, Sauve-nous – Save us”, and I instantly realize he is rendering the story of your disciples panicking during the storm and then waking you to calm the very waters on which we now sail. Then more animated words, “Pierre - Peter, Main- Hand,” combined with a simple gesture of reaching down with the orator’s palm, portrays the tale of Peter’s peril when trying to walk with you on the water, and your pulling him up to stand by you. I can see it all, Lord. I am washed in the tears of your translation. I understand now that it isn’t some secret spiritual language you give us to set us apart from one another. Instead you encourage us to gather in common, joining of revelation, so that, no matter the dialect, we all can experience your story, our story unfolding.

As the boat returns, I think, what can be better than this? - a silly question to ask in your presence, for as we bid our new spiritual brothers and sisters adieux, the next crew loads on. Now we are in the presence of Chileans, Latinos from my old home-base of Houston Texas!), and other Hispanic believers from parts unknown. Here I am less confident in my dialectic abilities, yet the immediate affection we receive from this group, bond us one to the other. We sing together familiar praise songs, they in Spanish, we in English, sometimes all joining in a common chorus of Hebrew and even a touch of Portuguese taught to us by Capitan Daniel. So many nationalities and languages, so much heart, such a Great God…Gadol Adonai! There is much more you provide in this day, fodder for many more conversations between us, you teaching me in your language and with your graceful gestures, just how much more I have to look forward to in our common relationship.

Meanwhile, I bask in this revealing and smile with understanding that you have etched the picture and the memory into the depths of me. Praise you for your continued love poured into me by a communion that any who know you will also understand and, I pray, appreciate.

Todah Rabah—Thank you so much,

Mark C.

11-7-2016 Surprise Beginnings

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows

me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."   John_8:12

  

Lord, you have the most amazing sense of humor. Patti and I have been praying for opportunities to help facilitate ministry trips to Israel and you provided the perfect platform by joining our friend Sam on just such a trip, beginning November 8th. We thought you were all done, that walking with this amazing man would be a great way to ease into more substantial roles. Of course we should have known better.

Five days ago we learned that Sam had to be hospitalized. Praise you that his health issues are being addressed by a wonderful group of medical professionals. Praise you that he is recuperating and that he is covered in prayers by many, many friends and family. And Yes Jesus, praise you above all else that he did not begin the journey to Israel and THEN begin to experience troubles. You are a God of perfect timing, even when we might not appreciate the balance of things to come.

I confess that Lord, the fact that so little time remained until we were “wheels up”, weighed heavy on my mind. This is a select group of very special travelers, any one of them could (and would be willingly capable) of coordinating the continuation. But how would all the pieces fit? Who would have the time to assemble all the information and contacts and keep all the balls smoothly juggled in mid-air?

Patti and I arrived at the hospital that night to encourage our friend and to honestly scope out if possibly his condition was less serious, hoping that a night in the hospital and an intravenous vitamin boost might just turn the tide. We hoped beyond hope that, when we walked in, Sam would be back to his old crusty self, ready to hop on the plane with a shrug and a chuckle about the circumstances that would dare interrupt such important work.

Instead, there he lay on a gurney, yes in good spirits, but no, not in any way shape or form looking even fit enough to sit up, must less hop anywhere. He saw me and smiled. The next words out of his mouth almost made me want to request an IV.

“Well Mark, this will be a baptism by fire for you, my friend; baptism by fire.”

Wait, what? Master, I’m sure you understood my confusion at the time. What had Sam meant? Why would the fire be under my feet? What was he talking about? Now things were happening quickly. The sick man was wheeled out to another location and we couldn’t follow to continue the conversation. My mind was reeling as we walked out of the hospital entrance with Sam’s daughter. I had never met her before and she introduced herself, then asked, “Are you Mark?”

I acknowledged and she continued, “My dad was talking all afternoon about you and how confident he is that you’re going to do fine, taking on the leading of this trip.”

Wait, what? Lead? I’ve never led a group to Israel. Sure, we’ve been to the land, sure we’ve developed great friendships and contacts, have studied the culture, even having fallen in love with the land and its people…your people. But to take on management of this scope, is it possible? Yes Lord, I know all things with you, are.

Patti and I talked and prayed about the commission on the way home. Curiously I felt a peace I didn’t expect. Everyone we shared the news with didn’t seem surprised at all. With the help and encouragement of friends, family and my beautiful bride, Sam and you, I now see the possibility as a reality.

There was only one thing that still concerned me. It was the word people were using to describe my new function: Leader. I remember studying scripture concerning examples of leaders. Interestingly the word is seldom used in a complimentary way to describe even kings who honored you. Other words that you used to describe those who “do the Father’s will” did pop up: Servant; Follower; Disciple. The one that caught my attention most was Shepherd. You, Good Shepherd demonstrated the technique best – one who guides and encourages, protecting and correcting when necessary…still and always while seeking Abba Father’s will.

I can do that Lord. I can shepherd because you have taught me how.

Only one day away now, the real test begins. Am I ready to trust you? Will I let you shepherd me so that I can shepherd others? My fellow travelers have encouraged me, as have you Lord. I’m willing and place myself in your will.  This is going to be an interesting ride. I trust you have even greater plans, maybe even other surprises planned ahead. I also trust, and I know my fellow travelers have expressed as well; we are confident you will not put us in situations where we are incapable of enduring. We recognize You as our true leader, the perfect shepherd to follow.

And as a shepherd under the guidance of The Shepherd, I am honored to follow in your footsteps.

Mark C.

11-1-2016 Prayerful Preparation

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you,

so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our

fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3

Lord, I met with my friend Schumann today. What a joy to get his 104 years of perspective on life…even if now it is a bit of a blur to him. One thing he does remember well is me, when I come jogging down the street. There he sits in his wheel chair, waving and inviting me in.

I shared with him again that Patti and I are getting ready for our two week journey to Israel (can it only be one week from today that we will be “wheels up”?). Our travels excite Schumann vicariously. He shares an adventure he once had, but he can’t quite recall where or when it occurred. The important part to him…and to me is that you, Jesus were there with him on his journey, as you will be with us.

I detailed to the old man just a few of the places we would be visiting, The Sea of Galilee, Shiloh and the Western Wall in Jerusalem. I spoke of the people—people like him and me who are so beautifully entwined into the history of the place. I explained how we would be ministering to them…and they would be teaching us. His eyes grew brighter with his imagining and our chat about these amazing locations. Schumann and I are not shy in our opportunity to share the love of our God.

“I know you can’t come with us,” I said with regret, “but are there any prayers you’d like to send with us? I can write them down for you and even stick them in the cracks of the Western Wall.”

“I’d like to depend on you to put my prayers into words,” Schumann shared. “It’s hard for me to do.”

I was not ready for that, Holy Spirit. Isn’t that Your job, to offer up prayer for us when we don’t know how or what to pray? I know I’m not worthy of that task, but how was I to explain this to Schumann?

“What if we pray together right now, then I’ll take that prayer with me as our shared offering?”

The old man smiled, “Oh yes.”

“Father God,” I began, “thank You for the presence of Your Spirit in this place. Thank you for Your love and that we can speak to You here, and even carry our prayers to You in the land You gave to Your people, Israel. Thank you that Schumann and I, no matter how our age may limit us sometimes, will always be Your children. We don’t understand why You love us so, why You sent Your son, Jesus to die for us. But You did. And now You, through Jesus, live in us. Schumann and I pray for those who still will not listen or seek You. We thank You, Spirit for our fellowship with each other and for our fellowship with You. Help us to share that with others. Give them ears to hear and eyes to see Your love through our lives. In the name of Jesus we pray all of this.”

With that, I told Schumann I would bring back pictures to share with him. And this centurion then took my hand and said something else that struck me in the deepest place. “He has done a good thing making you.”

I wonder sometimes if I am doing enough with what You have made in me, Creator. But You appear not to be done with the work, for today You blessed me in a way I didn’t think possible—by the simple words of an old forgetful man, who refuses to forget the love of You, his Maker. Let me never forget either, his example.

I know that taking these petitions to the Wall in Jerusalem does not somehow make the communication with You, God, any more holy. But by sharing in prayerful dialogue with others, You have given me a glimpse into their hearts and allowed me to share mine. You have allowed us a peek at the perfect Kingdom to come, fellowshipping with Your amazing and loving son as our King—who will share with us a millennium of moments like I just shared with Schumann.

Praise to You!

To All Y’all who might be reading this, Patti and I welcome you to share in this same fellowship. Please type out and email your prayers and we will carry them with us to share the journey in a unique way. But remember…”wheels up” in seven days!

PS Our GoFundMe webpage continues to be available for ministry contributions. Go to: 

https://www.gofundme.com/IsrealMinistryTrip

Mark C.

10-15-2016 Soon Coming

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we

had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to

please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

                                                                                                                    1Thessalonians 2:2-5

Lord, I recently fellowshipped with some men whom I have not seen in many years, but there was something very different in the encounter.

It happened when I was invited to a men’s breakfast. A good friend, who has a great loving heart, encouraged me to join them and I have to admit, I was curious as to how these brothers in you, Jesus had been doing. Our family had walked away from their congregation because of doctrinal differences that seemed at the time, irreconcilable. Since that time, I have kept in touch with some of those individuals, but for the most part have kept myself distant.

Messiah, you know all of this, and you know the uncomfortable mix of emotions and dissonance that percolated within my soul as I walked through the door into the event. I have always had a difficult time trying to explain to those who walk a different spiritual path, why the things that caused our family to break away are so compelling to us. And now the potential for someone asking, “Why did you leave,” would be literally laid out on the breakfast table. What would I say? I love these people still. Sure, some of them (two in fact) already had asked for my explaination early on in our separation, but that was in private. For the most part, few at the church seemed concerned with our exodus and so there had been no exploration of our differences.

This men’s fellowship however was a very public venue without any formal structure—just the kind of environment where such a seemingly innocent question might come up. If it did arise, didn’t I owe them my honesty? Would they be ready for my answer? I know, Master, that when I open my mouth, “things” come out and I wanted to be careful not to injure, but to engage. Would the venue allow that?

As it turned out, the gathering itself was quite innocuous. There was a time when the subject of “feasting” came up. I offered some teaching I had received about Leviticus and Your appointed Feast’s, YWHW. That didn’t seem to be an area of much interest to them. So mostly, I listened, hearing in the undercurrents of conversation, some of the same subtle differences that encouraged us to veer away in the first place. I sensed from You though, that this was not the time or place to sharpen iron with iron. So the conversation remained superficial.

I volunteered to help clean the kitchen after our time together; thinking you, Lord had allowed me to dodge a bullet. That’s when one of the men, a newer member of the group whom I had not met before, asked me how long ago I had attended the church and I told him.

            “So why did you leave?” He responded.

            There it was, the hanging curve ball, ready to be knocked out of the park. And still I hesitated.

“Our family felt compelled to be involved in a smaller church environment that included homechurch-group participation,” I explained.

It was not untrue. It just wasn’t all the truth. This clan of men weren’t really familiar with the whole home-group concept and I knew that. I knew it would get a strange look (which it did) and then a nod and then we were on to other more banal stuff. The idea of washing dishes over the deeper divisions of denominational discourse was just too unappetizing.

I left the gathering still feeling unresolved in my spirit, Lord. I don’t believe you meant for me to take it any further than I did, and I also don’t think the discussion is over. As with most journeys, there are points of engagement along the way, but You, God, always shape the timeline of our growth in progressive steps. Relationships are never final, even when there seem to be great distances to be traveled for reconciliation to happen. You relentlessly bring us ever closer, even as we struggle to pull away.

I suspect, Lord, that others have experienced this same kind of wrestling. I have watched individuals and families disengage from a church community, sometimes disappearing without a trace. I have observed fellow believers and pastors in congregations literally ignore the absence, never addressing in “the personal”, that an arm or a leg, or a toe or even a hair has gone missing from the body. What has happened to the example you offered, of redemption? Do we think that only pertains to our individual walk with you? Do we think that we somehow get a pass when we walk away, or when we know someone else has walked away?

            I sense that You want me continue this dialogue with my old church family—not to push for some sort of vindication, but to invite mutual exploration of truth. Your Truth. Jesus, I already have plans for getting together with my friend, the one who dared to re-offer his hand of brotherly fellowship. I intend to seek his wise council on this matter as well. If nothing else, his and my relationship may strengthen from the discussion and together, we may draw closer to you in the process.

            As my wife and I ready for our trip to Israel, this lesson in relationships begs another powerful question for me. Am I on a journey of reconciliation with my Jewish brothers and sisters as well? Can I learn from them and they from me, how we might come to a better understanding of you, our Messiah? Might we dare to become that close?

            No Lord, I am not trying to become Jewish, just as I am not trying to go back to old, flawed patterns of theological thinking (that statement alone should inspire a lively conversation with my brothers!) What I hear you compelling me to do is to share my story and my journey with those who have not walked in new territory. What I hear you advising is to understand their outlook, not to embrace but to encourage comparisons. In doing so, You Spirit will influence us all toward a more complete picture of obedience.

            Messiah Jesus, the reason I share all of this is simply in pray and preparation, to walk as you would have me walk, toward your mission for my life. I simply desire you to hold my hand and guide me. Will others listen? Only you and they can answer that. Will I be blessed by the dialogue and the fellowship? Most certainly: it is Your will, Father, I pray it be done in anticipation of complete fellowship with another friend, my best and perfect friend Jesus, who is soon coming again to dwell with us. May I be totally prepared for THAT conversation!

Blessings,

Mark C. 

9-19-2016 So Close

"I called on your name, O LORD, 

from the depths of the pit; you 

heard my plea, 'Do not close your 

ear to my cry for help!'

You came near when I called on you; 

you said, 'Do not fear!' "You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.”  

Lamentations 3:55-58

Dear Lord, we are so close. That is a typical adage I hear: “We are so close 

to completing something; we are so close to changing our circumstances; 

we are so close to breaking down and things completely coming unraveled.”

But what are we really, really close to? What is the thing we are closest too? Of course, this is a personal perspective Master, but it seems like most people measure the hope and meaning of their lives by how close they are to…something.

Me too—I confess that my step by step progression either inspirers me to push on more diligently, or to turn back from the way I came to put some distance between me and my “closeness.” So what am I and my wife that close to? You know me best, Creator. I’ll first gravitate to the easy answers.

We are so close to…

—learning lessons from our past actions and inactions; pleasant and unpleasant.

—improving our financial situation; after a struggle of years.

                      —overcoming recent physical struggles.

—finishing up preparations for the great adventure You have placed before us; our ministry trip to Israel

                        —understanding prophesied future events which You warn will affect us 
                        significantly.

I’m sure You will subliminally suggest more to add to the list, Lord. I’m positive that anyone looking at this short list, can make it a longer one for themselves. Your Spirit is that kind of teacher, always encouraging us always closer to the answers You desire us to discover.

Sometimes though, You don’t seem to be ready for me to be as close as I desire to be. With being close, comes the awareness that things are not completely right…yet. Although not my preference, I do recognize a certain healthiness in the realization: In being close...there must remain, a gap. If there were no gap, there would be no need for us to strive. I am not yet sufficiently refined by Your methods and You have built into all of us, believer and non-believer alike, the characteristic of desire. Some of us desire to climb the hill toward Your love, others to take the downhill path.

Our closeness, provides an advantage. It humbles, causing me to realize how, no matter where I am on the uphill path, there is still more to learn, more to refine—so close, yet so far away. And it teaches. You encourage our journey, reminding and teaching along the path. I know what I’ve learned is but a speck of what You have yet to offer. So I remain obedient, walking out my faith with Your guidance, seeking the work yet to be done…

—changing my ways, repenting of our unpleasant past and striving to obey You, even when we think we know a better (or easier) way.

—not just improving our financial situation, but being alert to and resisting unrighteous spending temptations

—being spiritually vigilant and health conscious during the healing process of our physical struggles.

—more diligently sharing the testimony of our Israel adventure, including others through awareness, prayer and vicarious participation.

            O yes, in all of this, pointing all the attention toward You. Professing Your handiwork and Glory in it all. With Your help and using the resources You supply—scripture, the fellowship of other believers, and our daily encounters with Your Spirit, we draw closer still. 

And as we draw nearer to one another, You give us other things to be close to; a kingdom where we will not be close, but one. And that’s a place I long to reach. I know, by Your promises, that its already “done” in Your eyes, the victory is Yours. But I am only close to understanding how You can love me, love all of us, that much.

We are so close to knowing you better. Draw ever nearer to us, Lord Jesus. I feel your closeness— the real, real closeness with the one I hope for. Pull me, pull us all in and help us learn how to share the closeness of your love with those who have yet to recognize your presence and the glory of the Father, whom you lead us ever closer to.

Shalom

Mark C.