God's 'BUT...'

'But...I'm no good at speaking,' Moses countered when God said He wanted to use him to rescue the Israelites.

'But...I am too young,' Jeremiah retorted when he heard God's call.

'But...I am the worst of all sinners,' noted Paul.

How many times do we offer 'Yes, but...' answers to God?

Have we ever considered that God has BUT's for us, too?

Take Samson's mother, for example. She is left unnamed in the Bible and mentioned only as the Wife of Manoah, who was unable to have children. But one day, ''the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, 'Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.' '' (Judges 13:3)

The very thing she was unable to do, God told her she would do. She was barren, but would conceive; she had not borne children, but would have a son.

How is that possible? As my husband says, 'Those are pretty big but's!'

I was considering what God's 'but' might look like today. What if an angel of the Lord appeared to my mother-in-law, suffering under the effects of her stroke, and said, 'Behold, your  memory is gone and you have lost the joy of living, but you shall make great memories and engage once again with your family and friends.'

Maybe the greater miracle would be me hearing from the Lord, 'Behold, you are not always patient with her and it's a daily struggle to crucify your flesh, but you will be filled with my love and I will use you to help bring the restoration I died to make possible.'

'You are...but...'

God doesn't ignore our reality or ignorantly view our life circumstances through rose-colored glasses. No, he acknowledges, 'You are...' Maybe you are barren, maybe you are poor, maybe you are depressed, maybe you are looking for direction, facing a closed door, needing forgiveness, wanting friends, out of a job. You are...BUT...

The question isn't who WE are, but who HE is. 

Image Credit: Gospel Alliance

The good news of this Advent season is that Emmanuel has come: GOD WITH US. He doesn't tower over us and laugh at our pain, mock our frustration, or remain silent to our questions. Instead, he became one of us  in order to make the impossible possible.

Sinners, granted eternal life.
Those separated from God, brought back into relationship with Him.
Men and women whose good works are but filthy rags, being dressed in robes of righteousness.


'You are, but...'

We have our excuses, yet God gently responds with, 'But I love you. But I'm providing for you.  But I'm guiding you and giving you strength. But I've called you. But I'm faithful. But you and your circumstances are significant to me - you matter.'



What is the 'but' you've been complaining to God about? And what do you think His BUT to you may be?

A Man Called Wesley

What we meant to do was simply pick up a document that his wife was translating for us, necessary for us to register our marriage here in Germany.

What we ended up doing was staying for almost an hour and a half, listening to him tell stories of fleeing the Communists in Czechoslovakia, ending up as part of the Army in the United States, and somehow landing in Berlin.

Meet Wesley.

He's probably 70-something, and one of those cute old men where there was no way we could refuse his offer to "stay for just a bit" and allow him to serve us something to drink while his wife was finishing up the official stuff. We were on our way home from a wedding, were tired, and had a to-do-list waiting at home, so the offer wasn't exactly tempting, but we ended up staying anyways. It seemed to mean a lot to Wesley for him to be able to share with us memories of important times in his life, even if his dramatic Czech-mixed-with-Schwäbisch-German-accent prevented us from understanding everything. He even pulled up his pant legs to show us war wounds. What a history! What a personality!

So after an hour and a half of us listening to his stories, he must of assumed we were really interested, so he ended up handing us this folder before we walked out the door. Inside were photocopies of most of his documents, certificates, and awards from his army days! Letters from the CIA and President, a picture of his uniform and badge, etc. What exactly we're going to do with all these pages now, we're not quite sure; but we felt honored that he would share with us and know it was encouraging for him to be given listening ears too.

He walked us to our car, leaning in the window of the driver's door as we buckled our seat belts and started the engine. He made us promise to come back sometime in the summer when we could have a picnic outside together, and "plan on staying for longer." Then he stood under the street light, waving goodbye in the fog until we were out of the driveway and had rounded the corner.

Oh, Wesley...

I'm reminded of the story in Mark 5, about a dead girl and a sick woman...

Jesus was asked by a synagogue ruler to come pray for his daughter, who was sick and dying. So Jesus went with him, and many people followed them. Along the way, a woman who had dealt with a bleeding problem for 12 years and had had no success with doctors came up behind Jesus in the crowd, and "touched his cloak,  because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed'" (v. 28). And what happened? "Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering."

It is interesting that the Bible records that "Jesus felt power go out from him," and turned around to ask, "Who touched me?" The woman was embarrassed but eventually identified herself, and Jesus tenderly said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 

Just after that, though, a messenger from the ruler's house came with the news that Jesus need not hurry; the girl had died. But "ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, 'Don’t be afraid; just believe'" (v. 36). He continued on his way, to find the house filled with people mourning. But he went into the girl's room, took her by the hand, and said, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately she stood up and walked around, of course to everyone's astonishment! 

In this story, I picture myself as Jesus, with "important business to take care of." I have things to do, people waiting for me, expecting things from me, and I want to do good. My plans are not wrong. But along the way, a sick woman appears, or maybe a man called Wesley. And the question is: do I let them touch me? Someone needs a hug, a prayer, a listening ear, encouragement, help. Do I continue on my way, or do I stop and turn around, looking the person in the eye and gently caring for them? The good news is, according to God's schedule, there's time for both. The rest of the crowd must have thought Jesus was crazy to continue on to the ruler's house when the girl was already dead. But Jesus knew he still had a mission.

In this season of Advent, the weeks of preparation before Christmas, let it not just be a time of preparing decorations, food, gifts, and programs. Instead let it be a season of preparing our hearts, making room for Jesus...and others. Let people take priority over things. Allow yourself to be touched by others so that God's healing, love, and joy can flow through you.

Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm so thankful for the gift of Christ, and that we can celebrate Him all year 'round, but be especially reminded of Him at this time.

Mogi and I are in Kentucky this week, visiting my sister and her family. It's been a great trip so far! Sledding (we really had a white Christmas, which was a treat for the Americans!), baking German cookies, singing carols, playing games. We decided not to exchange presents this year; instead, we gave the gift of presence. We were challenged by the Advent Conspiracy to: 

Our visit was a surprise for our nieces and nephews. It was precious to see their faces when we came downstairs the first morning...shock mixed with excitement. I think time really is the best gift. We don't need any more stuff, and we want to strengthen these family relationships and take advantage of the time we have to spend together. Be inspired by the promo video from the Advent Conspiracy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&feature=related

As I have said before, the Lord has laid on my heart the word joy this month. I was reading the popular 'Christmas passage' from Isaiah 9:1-7, and this theme jumped out at me again. Look at the promises that this son who was prophesied to be born fulfills: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light...You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you...you have shattered 
the yoke that burdens them...he will be called 

       Wonderful Counselor, 

                  Mighty God, 

                  Everlasting Father,

                    Prince of Peace."

This is the God we serve! The God that became flesh and made his dwelling among us to show us his love. He is the one that offers true joy. This year may you choose anew the light of his presence; may he increase your joy; may the things that burden you be shattered, and my you come to know this Jesus in an even more personal way as your Counselor, the One who is mighty, your Father, and our Prince of Peace. 

Christmas blessings!

-The Moglers