Quietly waiting!!

I'm impressed by the patience of a frog... also the patience of a fisherman... and the patience of a wild cat in stalking it's prey! We can sure learn a lot from them... well at least I know I can!!

Quietly waiting for the right moment... perfect precision timing!! By being too quick or too slow would mean missing the catch... and in some cases dinner!!

It sure speaks volumes to those of us who tend to be impetuous in nature, rushing in before thinking! Also for those of us who are too slow and hesitant to grasp the opportunities as they come .... thinking TOO much. There is a fine balance between seizing the moment and patiently waiting for that moment.

This got me thinking about our waiting on God and His timing. Looking at history, it is evident time and time again, of how God choose the precise moment to intervene into our chaotic world. We see this particularly in the birth of Jesus.

"When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4, NKJ)

The moment was right, the stage was set. Take for instance, Bethlehem! How amazingly God arranged for Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem for a census, right at the time Jesus was due to be born! And this fulfilled the prophecies that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Also see how God even used the plans of an earthly, heathen king to bring about His divine purposes.

And this is only one instance of how God steps into our world at just the right moment. Nothing too soon... nothing too late!!

This brings me back to think about us, and where we fit into His divine purpose. How can we learn... how can we know when to go and when to wait. It can only be through quietly waiting on Him.

"Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation." (Psalm 62:1, NKJ)
"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." (Psalm 62:5, NKJ)

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
do not fret—it only causes harm.
For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
they shall inherit the earth." (Psalm 37:7-9, NKJ)

"It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (Lam 3:26, NKJ)

Remember when Jesus was on earth? Everyday He would get alone with His Father, and pray... talking about the day! He only did what His Father instructed Him to do. He quietly waited to know what the Father wanted... and THEN He went about His Father's business.

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4, NKJ)

This is also what He has called us to do. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, NKJ)

So the answer to walking in God's timing is simply this: JUST KEEP IN STEP!!

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV)

The Bitter-Sweet of Christmas!

Here is another thought for those who face grief, sadness and hardship this Christmas. I guess, life is bitter-sweet!! In the times of pain and hurt, God sends a special sweetness. And we see that especially when we look at the Christ child.

Did he receive lots of presents from Santa?... NO!.. but he did receive gold, the gift for a king, and frankincense, perfumed resin used in the anointing oil of the priests, and myrrh, a spice used for embalming dead bodies. Strange gifts for a baby.

But the gold reminds me that Jesus is the King of kings... the frankincense, that He is our High Priest, advocating for us before the Father, ... and the myrrh, speaks of a suffering servant, and the Lamb of God, our perfect sacrifice, Who takes away the sin of the world.

Did they hold a big party in the palace for the new King who was born... NO WAY!! But the angels celebrated in heaven and announced on the earth the good news that the Saviour had been born.

And he was not born in a palace as is fitting for a King, but in an animals' stable and His bed was a feeding trough. He took the lowest of low places. And as it says in the Word, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich." This was the God of the universe come to earth, Immanuel, meaning God with us!!


These thoughts are echoed in this carol:
(Sung to the tune of "Greensleeves")

What Child is this, Who, laid to rest,
on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate,
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading:
Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,
the Cross be borne, for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
come peasant, king, to own Him,
The King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
the Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!


And the words of Isaiah:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

A Ray of Hope in the Darkest Hour!

As I was putting this card together, my thoughts for this Christmas were for those who may not have such a good Christmas... for whom Christmas may be a dark times.

For some, Christmas brings back sad or bad memories! Some may be facing tragedy this Christmas... and others may be suffering loss... loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a marriage, loss of children to drugs and other things! And many in the world live amongst strife and unrest, with no sign of peace.

So, if that is you, my prayers are with you this Christmas. May, even in your darkest hour, Jesus shine His light in your heart and give you a new hope!!

Remember why He came to earth! Without Him, we are separated from God with no hope. But He came to live and suffer and die, and then rise again, to restore us to the Father, and give us that hope! There is a light for our darkness!!

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death, upon them has the Light shined." (Isaiah 9:2, Amp)

"In Him (Jesus) was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it.]" (John 1:4-5, Amp)

"And again, Isaiah says:
'There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope.'
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:12-13, NKJ)

That is my prayer for you this Christmas!!