Colossians 3:18-19 “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.”

I was led to these verses at 2:00 in the morning and even then I knew I was in for trouble.  Other translations use the word submit instead of subject but either way it comes to me, at first glance, as a control issue.  Maybe I see it this way because I have control issues anyway but I know I am not alone in struggling with verse 18.  I sat and meditated (long and hard) and I came to realize this is a verse about relationship, not about control.  The buck always has to stop somewhere, in any relationship.  Whether it is a spousal relationship, a work relationship or a friendship, there is always someone with the last word.  The best boss I ever had made me feel like a teammate and collaborator rather than a subject under their control.  The building of the relationship and honoring it was so important.  As I learn to let go of control, I am able to embrace and celebrate the gifts and strengths of others that the Lord has placed in my life.  As I learn to build relationships with others, so I learn to build my relationship with God.  Sometimes I am called to bend to the needs and wishes of others.  I am also called to bend to the guidance of the Lord.  As I prepare to worship the new born King, I must prepare my heart to come on bended knee.

Lord,

Thank you for bringing me through this passage unscathed.  I have always shied away from it; yet, in your grace you guided me and taught me.  Help me see the gifts that others bring, enhancing my life.  As I let go, reassure me that I am only letting you in where you belong.  When all is said and done, I bend to you Lord.  You are my Lord and my King.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 3:15-16 “Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”

I have a bit of a problem when it comes to hearing on the phone.  I actually went and had my hearing tested because I thought there might be something physically wrong with me but my hearing was just fine.  I think it is my listening that lacks.  Being the visual person that I am, I rely on facial expression and physical presence as a big part of communication. Back in the story of Moses, he used to hide his face with a veil so the people would not be frightened by the glory shining in him from talking with God.  This passage in Corinthians says the people’s minds were hardened; a veil hid the meaning of the scripture from them.  I cannot tell you how many years I would open my bible, skim over a passage thinking I was really reading it and then go off to live my life.  The true meaning was not coming through to me. There was a veil over my mind.  Just as I must block out all other distractions when I am on the phone, so must I be intentional to truly hear the word of the Lord.  When I turn to the Lord the veil is removed.  “Let those with ears hear” resonates clearly in me today.

Lord,

Open my ears and quiet the constant noise in the background that distracts me from hearing the truth you guide me to.  Your Spirit is my guide but unless I listen, I cannot follow.  Help me hear what you are saying clearly so that I do not feel lost or confused.  Remove the veil, the block from understanding so I can go forth a changed and blessed person.  Help me share these blessings with those I see and talk to each day.  Amen.

Romans 8:15-16 “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.  When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

I remember back when my kids were just tiny babies.  At first they didn’t focus on anything really.  Even though their eyes were open they gazed around at things but it took a few weeks before they would really focus on my face.  It brought a sweet moment of love the first time I saw them really looking at me.  Then they started babbling and making sounds but no words.  I can still feel the joy I felt when they finally connected the sound “Mama” to me.  It takes no time at all after that for them to call Mama and Dada whenever they want something.  This is how it is with children.  They need us for everything at first and even as they grow into their own independence we hope they will continue a loving and deep relationship with us.  We are children of God.  When we first begin to see and recognize him as our Father, I imagine he feels joy and love too.  As we grow into our independence, he longs for us to continue a loving and deep relationship with us, just as we do with our children.  Seek the arms of your heavenly Father.  Call on him and grow a deeper, more loving relationship with Him.  His Spirit calls to us reminding us of Him.  He desires a relationship with us and the blessings He shares with us are beyond measure.

Lord,

Just as our earthly parents always remain our parents so you always remain our heavenly Father.  Pull us into your arms of love during this season of preparing to receive your ultimate gift of love.  Guide our hearts into relationship with you in our everyday lives.  Speak Spirit and let us hear.  Amen.

John 1:9 “The true light, which enlightened everyone, was coming into the world.”

I have a story to share about light.  I recently bought several really cheap book lights for a music gig I had with one of the handbell groups I ring in.  We were ringing outside at night so I knew we would need more lighting and we just didn't have it.  The lights worked; sort of.  Some of them flickered on and off the whole time, others didn't work at all. A few worked well and others died shortly after the 2 hours of use.  I did say they were cheap, right?  The cost of the batteries for these lights is at least 4 times as much as it is to buy new lights!  Since then, we have purchased much better and more expensive lights to help us read music in the future.  As I read this passage and this verse, the book lights came to mind.  Every light we have at our disposal is needed to help us see, but they will all fade away eventually.  We replace bulbs and lights occasionally because the old ones no longer serve our needs.  Even the sun, the moon and the stars are not eternal.  All sources of light will eventually die but one.  The true light, which will enlighten everyone has come, is coming and will come again.  He is eternal and His light will never fade.  Come and seek the one true light with me.

Lord,

We live in darkness or dim light most of the time and we just squint to make do with what we have.  As we move into a time of preparation and celebration, prepare our hearts to receive all the light of your glory.  My heart leaps at the vision of the skies filled with angels, shining in the eternal light.  Fill us with this light so we may shine for this world, glorifying your holy name.  Amen.

Psalm 25:9 “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”

Did you ever wonder why God chose Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents of the Christ child?  These two people were simple, quiet folks just doing the best they could to get by.  They were humble.  As I started my morning, rolling out of bed with my mind already trying to organize my time and my day, I had moved past my quiet time before I had even started.  My day has so many “important” tasks to be accomplished!  I have a doctor appointment, school and a field trip along with the normal daily cleaning and cooking.  When I stop and sit still, I realize that when I am wrapped up in my busy schedule, I am not feeling very humble.  I come to sit in the presence of the Lord, humbly asking for Him to lead me and teach me despite my schedule.  My schedule will wait.  This intentional time in the morning needs to be my first priority.  We are not kings or noblemen.  We are not celebrities or big politicians.  Most of us are just simple, everyday people; quiet folks just doing the best we can to get by.  Let’s be humble and open our hearts and minds to the voice of God.  He speaks to those who will listen, like Mary and Joseph.  Let Him speak to you, He will lead you in what is right, he will teach you His way.

Lord,

I am lowly and I thank you.  It is in the acceptance of my lowliness that I realize I need you.  Keep my heart humble and keep my ears open to hear your guidance.  Remind me of the beginning days when the Christ child began his life on earth in a stable...humble beginnings for the King of salvation.  Amen.

Psalm 138:3 “On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.” 

In case you were ever in doubt, God is good.  I am currently participating in a bible study working through the book of James.  Part of today’s lesson was talking about receiving what we ask for.  After I closed my study and started my mediation time, this is the verse I was led to.  I have come to realize that the things I wish for most of all, deep peace and contentment, are not to be given in lifetime chunks.  Growth and change occur more in the battle grounds and struggles.  As I look back on the petitions I have brought to the Lord I can see that He has answered me.  I have come asking for the spiritual equivalent of sweets or dessert without eating my vegetables first.  I have asked to be a full grown flower blossoming in beauty without planting my roots deeply in the ground.  In His infinite grace, God hears my requests and grants them in His divine knowledge, giving me what I need to move one step closer to my hearts deepest desire.  Each gift He has given has, in fact, strengthened my soul.  Today, with this truth, my soul sings songs of thanksgiving and praise. 

Lord, 

You tell us to ask and we shall receive.  So often we feel ignored by you only to later realize you are right there all the time, answering and giving us what we truly need.  We are short sighted; thank you for seeing through what we think we need and giving us what you know we need.  Prepare our hearts as we prepare once again to celebrate your greatest gift of all.  Amen.

2 Timothy 3:7 “who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”

I remember sitting in many a math class feeling just this way.  I cannot tell you how many years I struggled through math managing to pass the class but never feeling like I gained any knowledge or understanding of it.  To this day I do not believe I can do geometry or algebra beyond a remedial level.  How can this be?  I studied it, I was instructed in it over and over yet I never really got it.  My spiritual journey was similar to this for many years.  I went to church and Sunday school growing up.  I read my bible verses and grew up in a Christian home but the truth never really sunk in.  I learned and studied but did not really gain knowledge in the truth; I was blind.  It is only by the true grace of God that He keeps trying and never stops calling to his sheep and it is by His grace that I finally heard his voice, allowed him to lead me and began gaining knowledge in the truth.  When I look back at the path my journey has taken, the grace that covers it is overwhelming to me.  I cannot grasp the depth of it but I know it is real.  This much I know and understand.

Lord,

Thank you for opening my eyes and helping me to finally see in truth.  We all walk around blind, thinking we can see only to find we are deceived and blindly stumbling in darkness.  Through your divine grace, help us see and allow us to learn and live in you.  Amen.