For the Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and there are so many beautiful, biblical reminders of gratitude and contentment being tossed in my direction. Yet, I have one question still resting on my heart as I prepare for the joyful celebrations and traditions that will take place tomorrow….
What would happen if Jesus showed up?
Do you hear the heartbeat of creation’s song? Do you hear the anthem of His people’s praise? Shh…listen. It is all around you. It is filling the air, it is blessing this ground.
The saints are singing a new song unto their worthy God!
Are you singing?
As humans we live in a world that is temporarily ruled by a king of darkness. This darkness leads us to utter blindness. And the paradox of the darkness is that we must acknowledge it to be rid of it.
We must acknowledge our blindness.
For who can give sight to a man who sees? And God wills that we see what the blind men see.
Just as in the garden of Eden, where freewill brought mankind to shame through their own weakness, our freewill delights in attracting us to fleeting pleasures and distracting us from holy nearness.
God is near, yes. But it is our duty to pursue His nearness. The knowledge of nearness is futile should our souls never feast on the beauty of it all.
Yet He is not far from each one of us.
As the first missionaries were sent unto the uttermost – as Jesus beckoned, “come and die” – He gave them a glimpse of hope. He gave them a comfort for the lonely nights on their long journeys. He gave them a reason to smile in the seasons of deepest despair.
From the first breath of their calling, Jesus directed them onward, upward.
He beckoned them “follow Me.” And in the weight of those words lies the beauty of a fleeting life redeemed with overflowing fullness.
Because we trust the Shepherd who guides us unto death.
The God of the Israelites’ wilderness is the same God of the Israelites’ parted sea. The God of David’s valley of the shadow of doubt is the same God of Calvary’s hill. He does not change that I might better see Him. My faith is strengthened that I might better seek Him. And in seeking Him I see Him.
Therefore, my soul cannot help but tell of the treasure in the lowly places. For He is working there.
And I don’t want to miss it.