The Weary World Rejoices

So often Christmas becomes about warm and fuzzy tradition. While the best kind of warm and fuzzies are lighted by Christmas lights, let's not forget that there is more than tradition. It is tradition that has come to be because of the gospel and the hope that saturates this season. I love hymns and Christmas hymns are the very best, because when else do you get to say "Hark!"? Also, because, they are songs that Christians have been using to praise the Lord for a long time and they are rich and full. This year instead of just singing them because it’s Christmas, I've been really pondering what they mean and the music that goes with them. Here are some favorite lines (in list form, obviously):

1. O come, O come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears. (O Come, O Come Emmanuel)  

(really this whole song..."and drive away the shade of night and deaths dark shadows put to flight")

2. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices (O Holy Night)


3. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, in our trials He's born to be our friend. He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger, behold your King before Him lowly bend (O Holy Night)     
(no one ever sings this part and its really, really unfortunate)

4.  He comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found. (Joy to the World)

And the last thing. I love that this season we celebrate a Savior who comes to us. He draws near to a weary world. The Son of God appears to a needy and weak people ushering "a thrill of hope" in our bruised and broken hearts. There are hard things going on in and around us. We are exhausted and scared, helpless and harassed. But this season, we remember to rejoice because there is a great hope. In all of my brokenness, Jesus comes to redeem. In all the ways that sin and the curse turn my life upside down, the Savior comes to make His blessings flow by turning things right side up. And I don't have to wait for it. There is no line to stand in and no patience to be had, because in this Jesus took the initiative. He has come. He is near. Behold your King. 

Uncertainty and Surety

(preface: I'm not actually sure I'm old enough to be writing this. On the other hand, this is probably one of those lessons that we learn deeper and deeper, so consider this part one. Also, shout out to Hal(lelujah) Wilkening for posting the Andrew Peterson song that follows. Hal (and Andrew) are both significantly wiser than I have ever thought of being)

     At one point in time, maybe when I was in college or so, I can remember thinking that as I grew up life would get easier. Maybe not easier, but more efficient. Life lessons would turn into collective wisdom and I would be able to better navigate life. I, like the adults I was watching, would become more and more capable. And it would be awesome.

     That's not real.

     I think I peaked around 22. That's when I felt the most sure about everything.When I left school I was nervous and anxious, but for the most part, I felt capable. Ready to take on the world.

     Bah.

     Fast forward a few years and a lot of lives lived and this is what I know: pretty much nothing. I'm less sure of almost everything than I was at 22. And maybe I'm finally in on the secret to adulthood-we're all just doing our best. Our best to not destroy everything we touch. Our best to love those around us. Our best to live well. That takes a lot of prayer, intention and a large measure of grace. Life isn't a science, folks. It's an art.

     And I have grown. There is collective wisdom that has accumulated. I am better equipped to handle things because of how the Lord has been at work in my life, but it doesn't always make things easier. The battles around me and inside me are still very real and very complicated. I wasn't quite prepared for life to feel like a hamster wheel sometimes. At my age I don't feel like I should keep waiting for the real grownups to appear and make everything better, but I do. Then I realize that I am one of the real grownups and people expect me to be able to straighten things out. 

     There is an exception to this growing uncertainty I feel. Jesus. I am more and more sure of Him than I have ever been. He is my Surety. All the "collective wisdom" I have is this: Christ is King. And He loves His people. The Lord is at work and because He is moving, I can breathe. And live. He moves towards all of my fear and uncertainty. Never once has He left me in my anxiety or waiting. He has, ever so patiently, taught truth to my heart.

     So even in my uncertainty-in my not knowing-there is One who knows. Even better, the One who knows, loves his children and so even when I don't know, I trust. There is so much hope in being able to trust. So much freedom. Hallelujah.

     

Let's all wear Flannel!

     Remember when Katy Perry's California Girls came out? Me too. That was a time. Driving back from the beach one evening, some sweet friends and I rewrote it to be Presbyterian girls, because we're really funny (and cute). To my recollection it went something like this:

Presbyterian girls, we're unforgettable.

Rainbow shoes and v-necks on top.

Sunkissed tans, so hot in our one pieces

Oh oh oh oh

     I'll spare  you the rest, but we were pretty pleased with our rewrite. You're welcome Katy.

     Why do I bring this up other than we all need a laugh after the last 4 serious posts? Because there are some distinct boundaries in how denominations dress. Seriously. It takes about .3 nanoseconds to figure out what kind of church a Christian woman goes to. And that's not to say that any of the denominations are better dressers than another, but different for sure. Here are my observations (and, ya'll, this is meant to be funny, so just take a deep breath and laugh a little*).

1. Presbyterian Girls (my own kind)-are we southern, are we indie mountain folk? That's the question. We wear pearls with our flannel and chacos with our skirts. Messy buns are our hair style of choice. But seriously. We put ourselves together well, but we're laid back and easy going. I like to think we're simple in our elegance. We can't be overly done because at any point we may have to defend Calvin or Luther and you just can't do that well when hindered by a puffy vest. Trust me. Also, our hair isn't going to be perfectly styled everyday, because grace says that I don't have to turn my straightening iron on every day of my life. Hallelujah! Wispies are beautiful.

2. Non Denominational Girls-also laid back, but always pulled together. They think in outfits and have conquered the basics adorned with unique pieces look. And my hat goes off to them. They will wear a puffy vest over a basic striped long-sleeved shirt and it will look fantastically effortless. Where Presby girls love a crossbody bag, non-denom girls love a good graphic tote. They can fit more journals in there than other bags. Their hair is on point. Not overly done, but they put effort into it. It's probably straight and pinned back on one side with fantastic volume. And it will hold up all day. #endurance

3. Baptist Girls

    See above, but bigger hair and earrings.

You're welcome internet. You're welcome.

*Also, this may or may not be based on random not so thought through thoughts. Welcome to my brain! Enjoy!

Pretty Fall Flower on my desk

Those Dixon kids keeping it classy

Anthony Edwards and Healing People

"That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons."

-Mark 1:32-34a

     Summer after freshman year of college was spent at home working at various week long camps. In between camps, I watched a ridiculous amount of ER reruns. Dr Greene was my favorite character because he was just wonderful. There is this one episode where Dr Greene is frustrated by the amount of hospital policy and the growing number of patients in the waiting room who need attention. At the end of the episode a nurse walks out and sees him in the waiting room treating patients. Moving from seat to seat bandaging wounds and kneeling face to face with each patient. The nurse is taken aback that such an important doctor was in the waiting room dealing with such minor injuries. She asks him what he is doing. He says, "having fun." 

     I don't know what Jesus's disposition was to the sick people who were flooding him at the time, but I like to imagine it like the scene above. Jesus kneeling face to face with each of the sick and oppressed. Looking them in the eye and bringing them to health. 

     A pastor told me once that it wasn't so much that Jesus healed people, but that people caught his health. I don't fully understand that statement, but I like the idea that health is contagious. We see that in the world around us. That's why people go to therapy. Part of their healing is experiencing a healthy relationship. Part of our sanctification is experiencing the health of Jesus through the Spirit. As we come to know Him more, he heals us with His presence and Truth.

     When I watched the scene of Dr Greene that summer, I wanted to identify with his character. To be going from person to person, caring for them. And, hopefully, by God's grace I will be enabled to love that way. But let's not miss the point. We aren't the healer. We are the wounded. The sick. The oppressed. We are the needy ones. The folks that need to be seen and healed by a merciful, tender and healthy Savior. And we can find rest in that relationship. That he will "make us lie down in green pastures." He will restore his children.

Life, Death and a Day at Jesus's House

      John 1:35-39 is one of the most interesting passages to me. Sometimes I get frustrated because I want Scripture to give me a day to day of Jesus's life. I want the silly, the boring, the normal. So, I love this glimpse. Can you imagine? Seeing Jesus and when he turns to you asking what you want. And you want to know where he is staying (I'm thinking that was their cop out question, because, hey, what do you ask the Lamb of God? I got tongue tied when I met Javy Lopez in ninth grade and he was just a baseball catcher, not the Savior). And do you know what Jesus does? He invites them over! That simple. He tells them to come hang out. And they do. For the whole day.
     In my head the day kind of went like a slow football Saturday which are some of my favorite kinds of days. Easy. Slow. Fun. Quality time because nothing is forced. But I have no Scriptural evidence of that. Just hope. And imagination. Anyhow, I love this passage because I think it is important to remember that not only did Jesus give his life up for us in death, but he gave his life up for us in how he lived. He died and LIVED sacrificially. With love. If I were in Jesus's place that day, I probably wouldn't have invited those guys to my house because I'm introverted (and its so easy to hide behind that label in our culture right now) or my house was messy (and the judgement of a messy house ends friendships...or so I've heard) or strangers are the worst. But he didn't. He sacrificed a quiet day to allow people into his life. To make time and space to love them. To know them.
      Jesus gives us a lot of examples like this. He weeps with Mary and Martha instead of telling them to buck up and deal. He stops to heal. He goes to a tax collector's house for dinner. He sacrifices. And not only in what we are shown, but in what we aren't. He sacrifices a steady home, a wife and children. A "normal" life. He chose not to do those things, because he was moving towards the cross. And let's not forget that His existence didn't start the day he was born in a manger. He has always been. That means He gave up 33 years in heaven to live on earth FOR us. And that makes no sense to my finite mind, but I know its true and it makes my heart grateful.

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." 1 John 3:16

     For me, it's important to remember that when I'm thinking about loving other people like Jesus, it's not just in sacrificing our lives, but sacrificing our day to day. Our normal. It's making space and room to love others like Jesus did that day for John's disciples. 

Shame, Speeding Tickets and Senior Homecoming

  "And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming." 1 John 2:28

     How is it that we can have confidence when approaching God at his return? That question was posed to a group a few days ago and I loved getting to hear the conversation unpack this idea. Why would we, sinful, shameful and helpless, get to boldly approach the Lord? Immediately, I thought of this story.
     And it's the same with our Heavenly Father. We approach him confidently because He wipes away our shame with His love. There is no need to shrink away, no reason to hide, because when He loves you he is your safe place. So abide in Him just like verse 28 says. Rest in Him who takes away your shame and allows you to confidently come to Him.
     My dad is great. He's funny and he loves me and he is gentle with me and puts up with all my shenanigans. I think he may even enjoy said shenanigans. And he wants me to do good things. He has expectations. Growing up I never wanted to disappoint him. Fast forward to senior year homecoming.
     It had been a terrible (except now its hilarious because of how ridiculous it all was) week that ended with the whole senior class getting a talking to from the police on my best friend's front porch. We have photo evidence if you don't believe me. And I had to take the SAT on Saturday morning and I didn't feel like it went well. I was walking a thin line and I knew it. So when I got pulled over that afternoon for my very first speeding ticket, I was done. Toast.
     I was embarrassed by how I had been behaving. Mad and surprised because I really didn't think I was speeding. Ashamed that 18 year olds couldn't build a stupid float without fighting with the class behind them. Nothing felt right. I didn't feel right. My shame was great.
     As I pulled into my driveway knowing that my father was the only one home, I tried to think about how I would tell him. How could I frame this so it wasn't so bad? And I walked in the front door, because growing up I only used the front door when I wanted to hide something, but there he was. Standing in the kitchen.
     But something strange happened. Instead of shrinking away and hiding, I burst into tears and fell into his arms. And I cried a lot because I was weary and couldn't do it anymore. And he loved me. And laughed at me a little which made me feel loved all the more. And I realized that when faced with disappointing my father, the fact that I am his daughter trumps all. I don't have to hide, but can come to him with my failures.

     And it's the same with our Heavenly Father. We approach him confidently because He wipes away our shame with His love. There is no need to shrink away, no reason to hide, because when He loves you he is your safe place. So abide in Him just like verse 28 says. Rest in Him who takes away your shame and allows you to confidently come to Him.

In This is Love

    1 John has been one of my favorite books in the past decade of life, so it is much to my delight to be studying it in my small group.

    The book continually  talks about love. About following God's commands. Sin and sanctification. And the steady beat of the Holy Spirit's work. It is beautiful and challenging. Chapter 4 has always been a favorite of mine. It gets real clear about distinguishing what love looks like.  But looking at chapter 2, it's the same idea. John keeps talking about the way we do things versus the way God does them (specifically loving). He tells us to walk in the light and obey God's commandments. To obey the old commandment, but also that it is a new commandment. No longer do we love people as ourselves, but to love them like Jesus. John continues to point out our brokenness and need to rely on the Holy Spirit by differentiating between how we love things and how God loves things.

    Loving others in the way that Jesus loves, well that's a little overwhelming because the way we love is broken. Even as redeemed people, my sin makes my love, aside from Jesus, broken. I love based on what is good for me. I love those who are easy to love-those who love me first. But God doesn't love that way. He initiates. Because of His character-his kindness, goodness, mercy and truth. He loves based on need. He, sacrificially, moves towards brokenness and neediness to bring restoration through His love.

     And he commands me to do the same. Sometimes His commands feel a little like what I think drowning would be like-confusing and helpless and overwhelming. That's because I fail at them and enjoy my sin. It's not that His commands are bad, its that my heart is. But His commands aren't meant to strangle us, they are meant to give life. There is a goodness to the commands He gives. A life of obedience is better. Instead of being selfish, I GET to love. Rather than being fearful, I GET to live free. It's not self protection that rules my relationships, but I GET to move towards others unashamed. Indeed, it is better to live in the light than in the darkness. His commands aren't burdensome, because obedience is sweet. He designed it that way. As we are drawn by His love to obey His commands more and more, we come to love the command Giver more and more.

  To me, this is what 1 John encompasses: learning to live in a better way. Walking in obedience to a loving God as He sanctifies us and changes our heart. It's about coming to understand how sanctification works and trusting the Spirit to be at work in our lives as we fall short of obedience yet long to follow God's commands. It helps with the in between parts of life. With the practicalities of life by showing us the bigger picture, the philosophy and, ultimately, the theology.


For funnsies...here are some pictures. You're welcome.

Just the five of us.

St Augustine Shenanigans

lakeside summer bonfire

oh happy day with some of my very favorites

teaching the coworkers how to take a selfie

Lastly, if you aren't following my dear friend/sister, Karen's, adventures abroad...well, then, I just don't understand you as a human being