Week 12

Within a week we’ve had two major mass killing sprees in my country. I’ve seen one terrible news cycle after another. It’s like bad news is on a competition to see who will be the worst. This week I spoke to several friends who are struggling. Not only is the news on the outside terrible and horrific, the internal struggles are oppressing them too. One of them just lost her dog that she has had for 12 years. That adorable little puppy was her baby. She couldn’t rationalize the insane desire to want to ever love again. She said that she would rather just close herself off to anything or anyone else because everything dies.

I couldn’t disagree with her. Yes, everything does die. The reason being is that we live in a sinful, sin-filled world. The Bible does not mince words on this topic: For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23 KJV. Sin is the broken covenant on full display. The Bible puts it this way: Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4 NKJV.

What exactly is the law? Well I’m glad you asked: What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”…” Luke 10:26-28.

So the law is to love God and love our fellow human beings. Jesus said if we do those things we will live. But He wasn’t talking about just life on this planet. No, He was mostly talking about the BIG picture. Because let’s all be honest “LIFE ON THIS PLANET SUCKS!” Are there beautiful moments? Yes. Like when a parent hears their child’s laughter, or when the sun’s rays kisses your lashes, when the blush of first love begins to waken. All of those are beautiful moments that we cherish in our memories with everything that we have.

And life as we know it on this planet will not run forever, it can’t, not in the way we’re going. But forever was placed in our hearts by God (Ecclesiastes 3:11) to experience relational integrity for all time. It’s such an important factor that Jesus said that having a relationship with God IS eternity (John 17:3).

That means, right now in the midst of pain and sorrow, troubles and issues, that God wants to have a relationship with us. And God is gentle, kind, patient, sweet, hope-filled, just, compassionate, merciful (I could keep going, but you get the point). The more time we spend with Him, the closer we get to be like His character. And this is vital for all those who are longing for a better place to call home.

Because when Jesus was telling the disciples about the end of days, He told them that at the end people’s love will grow colder and colder because of the lawlessness (Matthew 24:12) that is growing more and more. Then Jesus states that only those who will be able to endure or last in the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13).

Endure what? Good question. Those who will be able to still have love in their hearts, burning bright as the midday sun. Those are the ones who will outlast every hateful comment, political argument, racist and bigoted biases, selfish desires. Revelation puts it like this: This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:12 NIV.

I will keep praying for my friend that her love does not wax cold. I’ll be praying for you too, pray for me as well. Because without help from heaven, we won’t make it through this hell.

Week 10

One of the most well-known passages in scripture is Psalm 23 (I’ll insert it below). Those beautiful words penned by a troubled child of God offers me comfort. As a Black woman, the obstacles that are designated to me have a way of weighing me down while trying to uproot me at the same time. Regardless of the sex I was designed to be; I would be Black. As a Black man, there are plenty of obstacles and trauma awaiting you in this world. I cannot speak to them, but I respect the struggle. What I can speak on is that as a woman, I am considered less than, and as a Black person, I am seen as a danger, but as a Black woman, I am perceived as undesirable. Yet, as a child of God, I am priceless.

The interview involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Oprah Winfrey seemed to rock the world. But as I sat there listening to the encounters of racial prejudice in one of the highest and most respected families of the world, the thought came to me: It did not matter that it was royalty; bigotry knows no class.

There were times that I did clinch when I heard them recount the tale of concern for the skin color of their unborn children. I clinched not because I was surprised at what was said but because I’ve heard it before. Brother’s future in-laws were are highly concerned about the color of their future grandchildren. My mother once told me to think of my children’s color if I had any with a tall, handsome, and very dark man I was once dating. The color of one’s skin seems to be a marker that the world delineates your social status in this life.

And so, I know that I do not have the capacity, resources, or miraculous power to un-blind people from the misogyny of the devil himself. But what I do have is the assurance from the word of God that I am loved with an everlasting love, and with loving-kindness does God pull me into Himself (Jeremiah 31:3). I know that when the choice had to be made, God chose me, the Black Woman, over God (John 3:16). Did you catch that? I am worth more than the life of God to God!

So, let the people who have NO say on my eternal life be concerned about my sex and the color of my skin. I’m looking for a city, a country, a world whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). Until I can cross those golden streets, I’ll rest in the green pastures (Psalm 23:2) that God leads me to, and rest in His description of me.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23 KJV

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Day 321

I was so emotional today. I wish I could explain why. It was just “one of those days.” During a phone conversation with my dad, we had a loss in connection. I couldn’t hear what he was saying and he apparently couldn’t hear me. I kept saying “Dad” over and over, but it sounded like he was talking to someone else. Due to my frustration, I hung up the phone. A minute or two later he called me back, asking what happened. I let him have it “I’m not going to stay on the phone while you’re talking to someone else!” That’s when he tells me that there was no one else. He was only speaking to me. My dad could tell that I was in some type of mood, and so he ended our phone call a bit early. A few hours later as I recounted the conversation with my brother I could see how rude I had been. I needed to call my dad and make things right.

Later on in the evening when I called my father, he sounded so excited to be hearing from me. Had the shoe been on the other foot, I would have been cold and nonchalant when I answered. But not my dad. It’s like the day’s events didn’t even happen. Taking a breath in I told him that I was calling to apologize for my behavior that I displayed earlier. My dad shrugs it off. He told me that everyone has an off day, so he figured it might have been mine and let it go.

The grace, mercy, and forgiveness that my father extended towards me filled my heart with joy and humility. I was a jerk, and he didn’t hold my prior attitude against me. Went on to have a really good conversation for over half an hour. By the time we hung up, it hit me: That’s the type of relationship God wants to have with you.

Especially when we’ve been jerks. God is wanting a relationship with us so that when we mess up, especially in front of Him, that we can come to Him through Jesus. When we come to God through our Savior, we have an opportunity for God to see the merit and goodness of Jesus, and not our past behaviors or mistakes. Jesus washes clean so that we can stand spotless before God and so we can tell God what’s really in our hearts.

The Bible has a story about the high priest in Israel who stood before God. As the high priest, you would think that he would know all the ins and outs of salvation, that he didn’t need help. But you’d think wrong. The high priest’s robes represented his “goodness” and righteousness was filthy. The garments were so bad, they couldn’t be salvaged. And you think that would be bad enough, to be standing before God, filthy. But there was another party at the scene. The enemy, who in Hebrew is called Satan, which means accuser.

Listen as if you’re a fly on the wall: Then the guiding angel showed me Joshua the high priest [representing disobedient, sinful Israel] standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Even the Lord, who [now and ever] has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is this not a log snatched and rescued from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy (nauseatingly vile) garments and was standing before the Angel [of the Lord]. He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And He said to Joshua, “See, I have caused your wickedness to be taken away from you, and I will clothe and beautify you with rich robes [of forgiveness].” Zechariah 3:1-4.

There in the heavenly courts, the enemy was bringing up every terrible thing that the high priest had ever done. And God got sick of it, and basically told him to SHUT UP! And then with love and authority, God commanded that the filthy garments, which represented all the bad things the high priest had ever done, to be erased, or removed from him, forever. And instead of condemnation, God covered him with the beauty of His love and the rich gift of His eternal forgiveness.

So if people ever want to bring up your past, maybe don’t tell them to “shut up“, but instead tell the voices in your head to hush. Because God has amazing plans for you, and His relationship with you means EVERYTHING to Him.

Day 297

Bible.com

I was confronted with some information this week. I still don’t know how to grasp it completely. It’s like my mind won’t let me come to terms with it. A few people that I looked up to in the faith have been accused of some dreadful things. Now, I know that they are just men, but they are men of God. The responsibilities that they carry on their shoulders are more than I will ever know. For their call was not my call in life. But the possible pain that they have inflicted on others through their weakness and vice, makes me so terribly saddened and angry. Perhaps this is why I spent two days this week just ruminating over Psalm 34 (Days 295, 296). I needed to know that the God that I am in a relationship with does more than just “see” our problems.

What these men have been accused of makes me sick. In their place of power, they must have been fooled by the devil to think that they could harm God’s children and get away with it. I understand that they are innocent until proven guilty. And I am not here to judge them, but I am here to call out the wrongdoings of people in power who feel invincible and use their positions to oppress and take advantage of others. I may have shared this before, but a friend of mine was violated by a man of the “cloth.” And I was advised to stay out of it because God would take care of His “manservant.” I was in my early 20s and naive. Because I listened to what people said, instead of the word of God directed us to do.

Paul made it clear in the book of Galatians what to do when leaders are sinning before the sheep or members of the congregation and leading them astray: Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed” Galatians 2:11. Where are the men who will call out the ravenous wolves within the herd of God? Where are those who will call sin by its name and help protect the children of God?! Well, if they will say nothing, then the women will stand up and speak. A few weeks ago superstar Jenifer Lewis discussed how a pastor molested her and how that encounter stripped her of the most precious things in her life. You can watch a clip of her story here. She eventually confronted the pastor, years later, but the damage was already done.

How do we forgive those who have wronged us so? This past week, I was in a Bible study and someone asked a question. Her question was: how can I forgive my dad for what he has done to me, I don’t want to see him in heaven. How do you answer this? The moderators did a fantastic job of answering her. They explained that if her father made it into the kingdom, that the man that he was when he hurt her, is not the man he would be in the almighty, holy presence of God. And they are right. We’ve discussed at length in multiple devotionals this year about Saul who became Paul.

Saul was a murderous villain whose main goal in life was to deter and destroy the kingdom of God by ending the lives of those who professed Christ as Lord and Savior. But after an encounter with God Himself, Saul became a changed man. But Saul’s change did not negate the pain that he caused to those whose only crime was to love the Lord with all their heart soul and mind. And God did not stop the abuse and pain from happening when we know that He could. Unfortunately, sin must run its course, and if God stopped every bad thing from happening, then when would human beings be able to express and exercise their free-will?

I’m not here to begin a philosophical debate, but I do want to weigh in on what that woman had asked during our Bible study. In Revelation chapter 21, when John writes what he sees happening during the new heaven and new earth, he mentions a few key things. First that God who has been separated from us for thousands of years is now “with us.” Next, he tells us that God says He will make all things new, and that will exclude every evil thing for all eternity. Finally, the last thing I want to bring out is one of the first things John mentions in this chapter: He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4.

When we get to heaven, God’s not going to ignore the pain that we had on earth. And maybe her father will get saved and end up in the kingdom because the power of the blood of Jesus can do that. But that doesn’t mean that she will be ready to speak to him immediately. When we get to the kingdom it doesn’t say God erases the bad memories, it says that He wipes away our tears. Maybe it’ll take a few hundred years for her to be ready to speak to her father again. And I think that’s okay. Because I truly believe that heaven will be a place of healing: down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2.

Pastor Ty Gibson has a wonderful sermon entitled: I Forgive You, But I Don’t Trust You. And maybe you need this word spoken into your life today. Either way, don’t let what someone else did to you, stop you from living this life or the next. Seek out a support group, and tell Jesus how you really feel, because I’m speaking from experience: He’ll listen, He understands, and He heals.

Day 290

The human spirit is resilient. Yes, it can be broken, but it can always be put back together. I think of a time where I wept while I was at work. Knowing that the love that I poured into another would never be poured back into me. Countless days ran together. Hours spent in bed crying. I even suffered from panic attacks as I became paralyzed in sorrow. A friend of mine told me that it would take time, but he promised me that I would eventually heal. I couldn’t see past my heartache and pain to know that what he said was true. All I could do was take one step at a time because if I stayed where I was, I would die. Those steps turned into miles that ran into days, months, and years. I don’t recall the sensation of the pain that I endured, but the memories are still etched in my mind. They are a bit more faded than yesterday, and the day before last. Every once in a while a song will come to play that will jog bits and pieces of my heart that was broken, but then I shake it off and keep going. When I talk about the broken person that had once hidden in the shower to hide her tears, it’s like a story of another person’s life. So distant, yet very real. I think this is how we will be in eternity.

Paul, who suffered dearly for the Gospel of Christ could have dwelt on his pain. While writing one of his letters to the people in Corinth he laid before them what he had gone through as an ambassador for the Kingdom of God: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.

Probably no one could compare their life experiences with Paul. And yet, the reason for him itemizing his sufferings was not to contest that “mine is better than yours.” Instead, listen to the reasoning of his experiences: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. In all the difficult aspects of his life, even when he struggled and begged God for deliverance (read the beginning section of chapter 12), he had reached a point where He realized that in his brokenness, in his weakness, God covers him and picks up the slack.

Paul had an opportunity to peek into eternity and see all the marvelous things that God has in store for His children. I know when I’m planning something for someone, whether it be their birthdays or weddings, the anticipation builds up for both parties involved. I love to see their faces when their eyes finally take in what I had been planning for months. It’s my favorite part. I’ve brought people to tears with the joy that I set before them. I lay awake at night thinking and dreaming and planning for their day or event to be so past their wildest dreams. And I must confess that I have not been let down. The smiles and the laughter, the happiness that exudes from them, makes all the work worth it. God is much more creative and much more amazing than I could ever be. And what He is planning will bring us to tears over how much joy we have. Paul mentions this as he thinks about the future amongst his present: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.

The pain and the sorrow that you are going through is real. But you are resilient, and God cherishes you so much. The few decades that you spend in this life mean everything to Him, but it’s not everything. He is planning to provide a place for you where death, sorrow, and pain will NEVER again be a factor in our lives. But before we get there, we’ll have to trust Him and take one step at a time, day by day, until we see His glorious face. Hold on my dear friends the end is near, and our new beginning is just around the corner.

Day 283

Aaron was probably the WORST choice as a High Priest. If you were going to pick anyone, anyone at all, it would not be Aaron from the house of Amram the tribe of Levi. Yet God chooses him. You see, the High Priest was supposed to represent Jesus. The High Priest was the individual who would communicate to God on behalf of the people on the Day of Atonement. This Hebrew high day that is known as Yom Kippur, was the holiest day of the year. This is when all the sins of the year from every tribe, group, family, and people would be cleansed from the Most Holy Place in the sanctuary. The very sanctuary where the shekinah glory of the Most High God would dwell to communicate with His people. You see it was God who requested that they build Him a sanctuary for a very specific purpose: And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8.

God wanted to be with His beloved people. The people which the Bible records: “The LORD did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the LORD loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the LORD rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 7:7-8. You see God just loved them. That love is the Hebrew word ahabah which is the same word used when Jacob was willing to work 7 years for Rachel, but to him, it seemed like a few days because he “ahabah’d” her or loved her.

God was willing to trust Aaron, out of all people to represent His love towards the collective people of Israel. But for the love of me, I can’t understand why. Aaron was not like Moses, who behaved a lot more like God than Aaron ever did in character (except that one time…). You can read about Moses exemplifying the truest character of God in Exodus 32 after the entire golden calf scene. There Moses would rather die than have anything happen to the children of Israel. Hence, Jesus shines through him, as He did die so that we might live. But if we’re going to talk about the golden calf incident, we need to bring up Aaron, who had seen God in His majesty and was spared to live one more day. Listen to what Aaron had an opportunity to experience: Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar.” Exodus 24:1. So God calls the elders, Moses and Aaron with Aaron’s sons up to communicate with the Creator of the Universe.

Here’s what happens next: Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.” Exodus 24:9-11. AARON SAW GOD AND DID NOT DIE! You would think that it would be a life-changing experience, that he would be loyal to God forever! But there are side chicks that are more loyal than Aaron. When the pressure was applied to him, he caved in faster than a paper mache bridge. He acted as if he had never actually been privileged to see GOD and live to tell about it.

I know I seem tough on Aaron. But the reality is that Aaron is more like us than Jesus. So many of us have been blessed to know the precious truths that are hidden in the Bible. To know the reality that God sent His Son to die for us, to take our place. But too often we act like we don’t know Him. Peter had this same syndrome. When they asked him, “Do you know that Man?” He rejected the notion of ever meeting Jesus. Even though Peter messed up Jesus offered grace and forgave Him. When Aaron messed up royally, Moses intervened on his behalf, and God forgave Him. When we mess up Jesus intervenes on our behalf and intercedes as our High Priest: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16.

Jesus knows our issues, He knows how we are fickle and not trustworthy. But still, He has the highest most amazing plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). And where we mess up, He is able and willing to come and intercede on our behalf. We just have to tell Him, yes. Aaron was probably the worst choice, but God saw what he could be through the power of God, and not what he was without the power of God. And that’s how Jesus looks at us. How we could be, not how we are. He treats us as if we are deserving when we are not. This is His love towards us: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. I don’t know who in your life is a total mess and is probably not deserving of another chance. I’m just saying don’t give up on them, because God is still in the miracle-working business. IF Aaron could finally pull it together by the grace of God, so can we.

Day 266

I know, yesterday it was 101 days. Today it’s officially Fall, and 100 days until the end of the year! This has been my longest consistent relationship, we’re 266 days in people! Speaking about relationships, this is a blog about that specific topic. Mostly concentrating on the divine-human relationship, which is often displayed through the interaction of human to human relations. God’s first human pairing was a direct reflection of His relational integrity. Marriage. There’s a show where you meet your spouse at the altar, for the first time. You get matched up by experts and get married. It’s a televised experiment and it is for people who are seeking to find their life partner through an extreme measure. But how extreme is it, in all reality? Arranged marriages have been the norm since the beginning of time. I mentioned the first pair, and they were introduced on their wedding day, by God. But before they met each other, they met and knew God.

And shouldn’t that be the basis of all our relationships? That we know Him? Because if you are searching for that life partner that you can spend forever with, you need to find someone who has forever in them. What do I mean? Jesus told us in John 17:3 that whoever knows God and the Son for themselves, in a relational integrity union, has eternal life. So, if you meet someone that knows God for themselves, and you know God for yourself, you really can have that “forever” type love. And forever is only a long time if you don’t get along. As I watched clips of the show that I mentioned about the spouses meeting the first time at the altar, I cringed at the moments where it was so clear that only one party was trying to make it work. The desperation on their faces, and their concessions on their wants and desires, was so unfair. But they had agreed to sign the marriage documents and pledge their loyalty to the stranger that became their spouse!

I had a discussion with my family last weekend, and brought the idea up to them, in a hypothetical situation. What if… I was to engage in this type of matchmaking process? They flipped out. But what I was most surprised was my baby brother, who is engaged, completely lost it. He said that he would never show up to my wedding if I agreed to marry a complete stranger. I was hurt that he did not feel like he could support me, but as I mulled over the situation, I understood his emotional dissidence. God who is the creator of relationships, would never want to make us be in a relationship with Him without getting to know Him: Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29. Here is an invitation from God, so we could get to know His emotional and caring side. What about this call: “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19. For this invitation, He’s inviting you to become business partners with Him. In the book of Revelation listen to God’s call to having a full and satisfying life in Him: The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.” Revelation 22:17. God definitely wants us to get to know Him for ourselves.

There was a second show that I saw clips of, another experiment. This one the couples could not see each other. But they could speak to one another. Thirty singles came to find love. At the end of the process, if you believed that you had found the one your souls desired, then you could ask them to marry you, without ever seeing what they looked like. Talk about more insanity! But as I watched these clips of one couple specifically, you could see their intimacy budding and growing. They began to look forward to their meeting time so that they could communicate one to another. When they first said ‘I love you’, it was with sight unseen. The physical attributes were removed from the equation and the things that make a person a person was revealed and celebrated. When they finally had the chance to see each other, the groom to practically run and grabbed his beloved in his arms. The grasp was so tight, it looked like he would never let her go. I was crying right along with them. It was beautiful. He happened to be white, she was black. Their skin color didn’t matter, because their hearts were one and the same.

One day, we’ll be that woman standing and smiling from ear to ear to see her Groom to be, come running down to sweep us up into a beautiful heavenly environmental forever. Until that breathtaking moment, let’s keep talking and communicating with our God our King, and grow more and more in love with Him every single day.

Day 264

I recently did something that is a bit out of my norm. But the more that I think about it, isn’t life no longer “normal”? I keep wondering will we ever get back to a world where I don’t need a masks in order to go into a place of business? An entire generation will be defined by wearing masks as their norm, everywhere they go. Masks will be in every major life event captured on film (or at least digitally). We’ll have the world pre-COVID and post-COVID. I know of so many pending weddings due to this world changing event that has occurred in 2020. I wondered, could I go ahead and get married if my family could not be there? Would I postpone my life with my future spouse in order that the family of my past be present for my once in a lifetime experience? I don’t know if I could do it? Yet so many couples are having to make that tough decision. Choosing which job to take, which college to attend, which city to move to, should be tough decisions, not “should I get married without my loved ones being there?” That a decision God never wants to make. But He might have to.

The Bible uses the most intimate relationship within the confines of the human experiment (I use this word, because sometimes we get it right and most times we don’t. Life ,that is.) to express the desire God has for us. When a guy sees a girl that he is really into, he does the most out of the box thinking, in order to get her attention. He’ll write poetry, sing songs to serenade her, he’ll even stand outside her bedroom window with an old school boombox over his head, blaring her favorite song (iconic movie clips anyone?). But the whole point is trying to get the attention of the one you can’t imagine spending or doing life without. When I say “doing” life, that is exactly what I mean. From the highs and lows, from a full house to an empty nest, someone where you can explore all the nuances that breathing grants us in this world. Believe it or not, God wants to “do” life with you. It may sound strange, but it’s true.

I come from a culture where storytelling is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. This is how we express ourselves, love, danger, desires. We use other people’s stories, their lives as a mirror to what we want to experience. God also uses this technique. For example the marriage that Hosea the prophet had, was a mirror of God’s relationship with the nation of Israel, who was considered the “Old Testament Church.” Listen to what is written in the second chapter of the book that bears the prophet’s name: I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD.” Hosea 2:19-20.

God wanted the church, the nation, the individual people to know that He loves and desires what’s best for them, more than a husband could ever want, love or desire for his wife. He wants to show us righteousness and justice! I mean a world that is saturated in unrighteousness and surrounded by injustice, this is literal music to my ears. He also said that He wants to show His unfailing love and compassion to us. This unfailing love, is what novels are based upon, what “Happily ever afters” try to portray. For some reason, we as humans are unable to reach this sphere of relational integrity, but our hearts yearn for it; both men and women. He says that He wants to show us compassion. This is like water to my dry and weary soul. I’ve purposefully avoided the news, because of the lack of compassion that is expressed as some type of badge of honor during this political season. I am tired of being berated by unkindness and the “illiteracy of decency” (yes, I’ve coined that phrase) in our world, aren’t you?

But then God finishes that statement with “I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD.” Here, He is saying, that He knows that we are not used to being in a relationship where one person is willing to be faithful to another unto death, but He is telling us, that we can finally experience it. He’s here and dying to be with us. So often people recite the vows on their marriage day “Till death do us part.” But even as they say it, somewhere in their heart, they know that this statement will probably not prove to be true. Not that they don’t want it to, but that people do not know how to see it through. But God does. He says that in that day when we finally realize that He is faithful, and will never walk away from us, that we will FINALLY know Him as our LORD. Or in the context our faithful Spouse.

He declares that: But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Jeremiah 31:33. In the New Testament He declares that: this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Romans 11:27. This is the God who is faithful towards us. But there are some who will refuse His gesture of love. They will reject His ultimate sacrifice, the one where He spilled His blood for their opportunity to live with Him forever. And a time is coming, when He will stand up as it is written in Daniel chapter 12, and the invitation, the boombox over His head opportunity will be over. And those who have decided to “give the ring back” will not be a part of the celebration that He has been planning since the foundations of this world were first laid.

I know He will be sad, and devastated that they will not be able to join Him and be a part of the festivities of the wedding of an eternal-lifetime. I hope that you keep the ring which is His law written in our hearts. So that one day you and I will be able to see Him face to face and experience His loving compassion like we’ve never experienced anything before. Where life will be anything but the norm, but unfailing love will be the law of the land.

Day 263

Imagine taking a look at a leaf. But never having to see the plant it is attached to. The only information you have is about that plant, is the leaf. You know that there is a fruit that this leaf supports, but you have never seen the color, smelled the scent, or touched the texture of the fruit, less than taste it. But you pour out all your energies into studying and learning about this plant’s leaf. From your research and trial and error, you’ve discovered some interesting things about this leaf. You’ve found out that this leaf can help people “lose weight and combat obesity, calm stomach disorders, and cure digestive problems (TimesNowNews).” As you continue to study this one leaf you find out that in addition to weight loss that this leaf helps in treating such disorders as “insomnia, abdominal pain, dysentery, cough, jaundice, mouth ulcers, skin ageing, and inflammation of the skin like eczema (TimesNowNews).” Within one’s’ diet this leaf is quite tasty in a salad, and smoothies, it also can be used to make tea (TimesNowNews). But once again you’ve never seen the rest of the plant, only the leaf. That’s what I imagine understanding heaven is like.

The Bible tells us that: But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. We have no idea what amazing plans God has for us. The fact is, all we have is this “leaf” view of the things, which He has in store. We study and read about it, we have found out the wonderful things that the Kingdom of God can change and impact here on earth. But to fully imagine the things of heaven on this side of eternity is close to impossible. We do the best that we can by reading His word with such beautiful promises as: “down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2.

Did you hear those powerful promises? That the tree of life will have twelve kinds of fruit, one for each month. And that even the leaves of the tree will provide healing! Did you read that there is a river that goes through it? Where do you think this river comes from? You won’t have to wait for the answer, because the Bible tells us: “And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12.

There in the Old Testament tells us that this very tree that is so large, spans on two banks, and the river that flows from it comes from the sanctuary. What is so important about that? Psalm 11:4 tells us that the throne of God is in the sanctuary. Do you see that? The life-giving water that flows through the tree of life comes straight from the throne of God, Who is Life eternal. And this is what He says: As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord.” Isaiah 66:22-23.

And listen to what the final book of the Bible tells us: the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.” Revelation 21:22-24. God will be with us, and we will be with Him. Never to roam in darkness and pain, sorrow and death, again. But until we get to that day, that moment in eternity, we’ll have to just keep studying the “leaf” view that we have in the Bible. Oh, the leaf that I was talking about, did you guess what plant it belonged to? It’s actually the pomegranate leaf. Pomegranates have one of the most concentrated forms of potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties on this planet. It helps in combating heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and even diabetes (Healtline). This amazing fruit also helps fight arthritis, lowers blood pressure, and even treats erectile dysfunction (Healtline).

We thought that the leaf was amazing with all its properties. And it was, but the fruit holds so much more. And that’s God’s promises to us. We’re only experiencing the “Leaf View” the “Fruit View” will blow our minds! And the fruit view is so amazing, there’s even a different one every month for all eternity!