...Out of obscurity

I was reading about John the Baptizer this morning, from Luke chapter 1. The last verse of the chapter struck me with two thoughts:

1. It says John grew up and become strong in spirit.

I wonder what that means? And if I were honest, I would have to admit that I am jealous. I deeply long to be strong in spirit - to know his presence and strength. There is nothing I hunger for more - the wisdom that he offers. But lately I feel like I am blundering recklessly, like a gorilla with a tea set of fine china. Nothing seems to go right, and I am afraid of making poor choices. I deeply long to be a very different person than I am - more transformed by his love, living that love with strength of spirit.

2. It says that John lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

I thought about all that time he lived in obscurity, doing nothing noteworthy, then suddenly being launched out onto the front lines, eventually to lose his head over the whole thing (literally!). It made me notice how bad I am at living in obscurity. Since I was a young kid I wanted to impact the world deeply. Now, several decades later, I am still waiting.

It strikes me today that the words of God, as well as The Word of God, are still both very alive. And I am thankful, because there is a ton of work to be done on my heart.

Another winter

As I write, it is snowing outside - a lot. There are two severe winter storm warnings back to back coming our way. Right now there is about two inches on the ground, and the snow plows are running. It is one of those days where you feel like hunkering down with a cup of soup and an old movie.

This much snow makes me panic a little. Do we have food in the cupboards? Can my car make it home? It throws me back to being a kid, when I actually liked the heavy snow. We lived way out in the country and the nearest neighbor was over a mile away, and the nearest town 15 miles away. There were many times when we would be snowed in for several days in a row. One time the only way we could get out was via snow mobile, gliding along on top of the 10 foot drifts near our farm.

But now I find myself worrying about the snow. Somewhere between way-back-then and now, I got old. Snow isn't a reason to stay home from school or work - it is a challenge to overcome, on top of the mounting pile that life seems to be throwing my way lately. Another obstacle to life - one that overwhelms me.

I don't want to live like this. I want to thrive and enjoy the snow piles of life. But the last couple years have taught me that enjoying is a luxury that I haven't had much space to afford. It has been about survival, not enjoyment.

Where does Jesus enter into all this? That is the very question, isn't it? Because if Christmas is about anything, it is about Him entering - our world, our hearts, our burdening snow piles.

Jesus, enter this snow storm with me. Show me the way once again.