Being Warmed by the Light
I have a vivid memory of being cold in Nebraska. I know that sounds weird, but I can remember as if it is happening, driving my little Volkswagen GTI down 48th Avenue turning on to Saddle Creek Road and then Leavenworth on my way to school (Omaha people might enjoy the geography). It was freezing. Surely in the single digits and the car's heater was not much help. I was convinced that I needed to change my mind about the temperature, I had to change my mind to be warm.
There I was, I can still see in my mind the fog on the window, dreaming of being on a beach basking in the heat of the day. I remember imagining my attire and the breeze rustling the leaves of a palm tree. And I remember the warmth I felt from the light of the sun. It sent a warmth through my body. Was it real? It is possible that there were residual chemicals in my body from the night before that had me hallucinating... but I can remember the sense that I really was warmer just from thinking about it.
I am sure there is science about this. It happens. Maybe not all the time but what we consider certainly affects our reality. Thankfully I no longer have to suffer longer Nebraska winters and if I get a chill I can go to the actual beach and sit in the sun any of the 350 days we have gorgeous weather in San Diego.
Apart from the weather and chills however I have been reflecting on how in my faith, reflecting on the work of Jesus to secure my salvation, grant me forgiveness and give me new life actually changes circumstances and enables me to cling onto the joy that God has promised those that believe in Christ.
Now I am not suggesting some hocus-pocus conjuring of prosperity or even an elevation out of suffering but instead a firmer grasp of just how firmly Christ holds us. When that reality is deepened I find trust coming easier, I find sharing the good news of forgiveness coming quicker, and I find the sense of the warmth of Jesus' sovereign care for me.
Why not spend some time thinking about Jesus. His work, his claim over you, his acceptance and approval of you. Why not hear God says "you are mine" as you go through your day. Are things cooling? Are you needing relief from the attempts to prove yourself or earn you place in society or eternity? Think of Jesus. You salvation. Believe in him and be warmed by his light. I am praying that you will feel his care and gladness over you.
"Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope." (Hebrews 3:1-6 ESV)
There I was, I can still see in my mind the fog on the window, dreaming of being on a beach basking in the heat of the day. I remember imagining my attire and the breeze rustling the leaves of a palm tree. And I remember the warmth I felt from the light of the sun. It sent a warmth through my body. Was it real? It is possible that there were residual chemicals in my body from the night before that had me hallucinating... but I can remember the sense that I really was warmer just from thinking about it.
I am sure there is science about this. It happens. Maybe not all the time but what we consider certainly affects our reality. Thankfully I no longer have to suffer longer Nebraska winters and if I get a chill I can go to the actual beach and sit in the sun any of the 350 days we have gorgeous weather in San Diego.
Apart from the weather and chills however I have been reflecting on how in my faith, reflecting on the work of Jesus to secure my salvation, grant me forgiveness and give me new life actually changes circumstances and enables me to cling onto the joy that God has promised those that believe in Christ.
Now I am not suggesting some hocus-pocus conjuring of prosperity or even an elevation out of suffering but instead a firmer grasp of just how firmly Christ holds us. When that reality is deepened I find trust coming easier, I find sharing the good news of forgiveness coming quicker, and I find the sense of the warmth of Jesus' sovereign care for me.
Why not spend some time thinking about Jesus. His work, his claim over you, his acceptance and approval of you. Why not hear God says "you are mine" as you go through your day. Are things cooling? Are you needing relief from the attempts to prove yourself or earn you place in society or eternity? Think of Jesus. You salvation. Believe in him and be warmed by his light. I am praying that you will feel his care and gladness over you.
"Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope." (Hebrews 3:1-6 ESV)
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