Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:23 ESV
About ten years ago, I used to pay a weekly visit to an elderly couple from our church, who were no longer able to come to the Sunday services. Since they enjoyed singing, so I would always bring my guitar. Though their apartment was small, they made room for a cage where they kept two little parakeets, and the highlight of our singing sessions was when those two parakeets joined in. During the slower hymns, they would tweet to each other and dance on their perch, but whenever we sang the hymn, “I’ll Fly Away” they got so excited that they flew right out of the open cage door and sat up above the kitchen cabinets, where they joyfully tweeted with all their might!
That memory from years ago came back to me yesterday with the passing of yet another dear friend into the presence of Jesus. It reminded me that while we are here on earth, we are in a body that like the bird cage is not our permanent home. We can sing and praise the Lord the best we can from our low perch, but at the time that God chooses we have an appointment to keep with Jesus. Because of His death and resurrection, our cage door has been opened and when we hear His voice, we will spread our own wings and fly up and away. There He has prepared a high and heavenly new perch from which we be able to sing a hymn of praise forever – on that highest ground of all!
Abiding in Christ, means staying connected through every season. Grapes begin growing in the Spring are harvested in summer. But no matter how beautiful or productive a vine is, they are all pruned in the Winter. Fruitfulness in God’s vineyard can only happen when we stay connected with Jesus through all the seasons of our lives.
John 15:1-2 ESV “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
“She has done what she could, she has anointed by body beforehand for burial.” Mark 14:8 ESV
I am always amazed at how this woman, who never spoke a word, is still speaking to us today. If we were to read the story from the Gospel of John, we would learn that she was Mary, the sister of Martha, and her “beautiful act.” Was a demonstration of gratitude and worship after Jesus had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. Her older sister Martha, had started things off by inviting all their friends, cooking up a big meal and seating Jesus at the head of the table with Lazarus. The disciples of Jesus were seated around Him, and the room was filled to capacity with friends, family and curious onlookers. Then, right at the height of the festivities, when the plates were clanking, the conversation was getting loud and the scents of delicious foods wafted through the room, Mary appeared in the doorway. Of course, Martha was busy serving and was probably being warmly greeted and thanked for such a party. Few would have noticed Mary, as she quietly walked through the room towards Jesus. But when Mary arrived next to Jesus, they heard the sound of the alabaster jar she was carrying being broken open, and immediately the aroma of the spikenard perfume inside began turning heads. Next Mary pours the perfumed oil over the head of Jesus, and according to John, also over his feet. Last, and most shocking of all, Mary knelt down and began to wipe the excess perfume from the feet of Jesus with her hair. The crowd was stunned, and the disciples were scandalized, “Why was this waste made?” they demanded to know. “This could have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Interestingly, we learn in other gospel accounts that Judas was the instigator of the criticism and not because he gave a fig about the poor, but because he helped himself to the offerings whenever he could. Through all the commotion and protests, Mary remained silent. Then Jesus spoke, “Leave her alone! She has done what she could! She has prepared my body beforehand for the burial.” Also, notice, that the disciples who had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountain, watched Him walk on water and turn water into wine, were not doing anything to honor Him. And even though Jesus had often told them that He was going to be arrested and put to death, none of them believed it. But Mary, believed and chose to do what she could with the time that she had. Her story is still being told wherever the Gospel is proclaimed and causes me to ask. “What can I do for Jesus today?”
praise2worshipdotnet 
You must be logged in to post a comment.