This is probably the last possible chance I have to address the new year that has been upon us 2 1/2 weeks already. I do like the newness of a new year. I admit, the kids starting back to school after a long break does have something to do with it though I did like the break from homework! My youngest especially loves the beginning of the new year and begins to count down to her birthday in March. She is excited to be in the season of her birthday. Granted it doesn't take much to excite an 8, almost 9 year old, but still.
The start of the new year reminds me that time is definitely marching on. When I was 8, I couldn't imagine what the year 2013 would look like and yet here it is. How will I use the weeks, days, and hours of 2013? It seems like I have lots of time before 2013 comes to an end. But who knows? Even though I try to eat healthy food, take Juice Plus and exercise regularly, I am not guaranteed that I will live to see even one more day. All I really have is today! How will I spend this precious time.
I hope to spend more family time in God's word. We started reading through Proverbs at dinner with our younger kids. Already in Chapter three we have had to explain what an adulteress is which was interesting, but better that they learn what God says about the subject now at age 8! God's word is living and sharper than any two edged sword. I need His powerful sword this year! I'm excited to see how God will teach us all.
I hope to love people more this year. I hope to show people, even disagreeble people, the love that God graciously shows me everyday.
"It's impossible to meaningfully encounter God's love apart from deep, genuine connection and vulnerability with others." Chip Ingram
I love that quote and think it's true. Sometimes this is hard to do. We are so busy and scared to be vulnerable, but it's worth it. We are all a part of the body of Christ. He created us to care for each other. Unfortunately,we are promised that in this world we will have trouble. We will experience sadness, difficulty, sickness and death, but we don't have to experience it alone.
The recent tragedy that one of our own families experienced has affected our entire class deeply. We are all struggling to understand something that cannot be understood. We want to take their pain away, but we cannot. We don't know what to say. We don't know what to do. Yet, I have seen our class lovingly care and pray for our friends. This is love.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7
We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize . . . but one who in every respect has been tested as we are. (Hebrews 4:15)Mass murder is why Jesus came into the world the way he did. What kind of Savior do we need when our hearts are shredded by brutal loss?
We need a suffering Savior. We need a Savior who has tasted the cup of horror we are being forced to drink.
And that is how he came. He knew what this world needed. Not a comedian. Not a sports hero. Not a movie star. Not a political genius. Not a doctor. Not even a pastor. The world needed what no mere man could be.
The world needed a suffering Sovereign. Mere suffering would not do. Mere sovereignty would not do. The one is not strong enough to save; the other is not weak enough to sympathize.
So he came as who he was: the compassionate King. The crushed Conqueror. The lamb-like Lion. The suffering Sovereign.
Now he comes to Newtown, Connecticut.
- Perfected through suffering. (Hebrews 2:10)
- Hated by the proud. (John 7:7)
- Demonized by the strong. (Matthew 9:34)
- Willingly poor. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
- A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:3)
- Planning to be crushed. (Isaiah 53:5)
- Despised and rejected. (Isaiah 53:3)
- Ready to be wounded. (Isaiah 53:5)
- Submissive like a lamb led to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7)
- Enduring anguish. (Isaiah 53:11)
- Poured out in death. (Isaiah 53:12)
- Risen to help. (Romans 14:7–9)
