Moving On

My Dad and I at Green Gables National Park.

Have you ever visited a destination so marvelous that you simply desired to stay there forever?  Perhaps it was a sunshiny sandy beach or a majestic mountain vista.  You know, the kind of place that tugs at your heartstrings and seems almost like a dream.  From a Swiss chalet at the foot of the Matterhorn to a quaint bed and breakfast in my ancestral home of Inveraray, Scotland, I often find myself wanting to stay in such a gorgeous place just a little longer.  This summer, I had the opportunity to visit Prince Edward Island.  As someone with a Master of Science degree in English, seeing all of the Lucy Maud Montgomery sites was somewhat overwhelming.  The idyllic scenery on the island drew me in like a bee to honey.  I must admit that I have visited several locations that were so dear to me that I became misty eyed when it came time for us to leave, and this was one of those times for sure.  While there are many different places that cause me to leave a little piece of my heart behind each time I have to leave, I know that I cannot stay in one place indefinitely.  Eventually, it is time to move on.

Jesus’ disciples even found that they often had to move on when they were traveling with Jesus.  One day they went up on the mountaintop to pray with Jesus.  Peter said, “‘Lord, it is good for us to be here.  If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah’” (Matthew 17:4 NIV).  The location was so glorious and the experience was so profound that Peter wanted to build homes and begin living on that mountaintop.  Of course, Jesus knew that He could not stay on the mountain forever.  He knew that He would have to walk through the darkest valley of His life.  He knew that all too soon He would be hung on a cross to die.  Surely He would rather have stayed on that mountain, secluded from the rest of the world.  Yet He knew that He had to move on in order to obey His Father’s will.

As Christians, we often get comfortable at certain points in our lives.  We find a job that suits us well, locate a church that makes us feel welcome, or discover a vacation destination that we enjoy so much that we’re ready to move in, much like Peter was willing to place roots down on top of the mountain.  While all of these are blessings along the way, we must remember that our purpose is to follow God’s plan for our life.  Sometimes this means we must leave that “comfort zone,” whatever it may be, and press on to something different that lies ahead, whether it is a negative change or a positive one.  Either way, we can rest assured that every valley we cross and mountain we summit along the way is a step in the right direction.

Paul wrote, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV).  As Christians, we should have the same goal in mind.  To forget the past with all of its disappointments and failures and push on toward the abundant life that awaits us.  Jesus Christ knows every joy and every difficulty that we may encounter on life’s road.  He knows every opportunity we may miss and every door we may walk through.  No matter what we face during our journey on this earth, Jesus Christ gives us the assurance that better things await us.  So don’t look back.  Look ahead.  Seek the Lord’s will for your life.  Keep moving on.  Cherish each moment of your life with the knowledge that every step you take will bring you one step closer to Jesus Christ.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The Bible: The Story Isn't Over

Last Sunday, over 11.7 million viewers watched the conclusion of the epic mini-series The Bible.  What a fitting way to conclude a day of Easter celebrations, from the sunrise services, cantatas, and dramatic performances, to the Easter egg hunts, delectable dinners, and time spent with family and friends.  Inevitably, Easter means a lot of things to a lot of people.  But one meaning of Easter outshines them all.  The Resurrection of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, is the reason for this joyous celebration.  The Bible series may be over, but the story has just begun.

As I watched this moving depiction of the greatest story ever told, I was reminded once again of how the stories in the Bible are much more than stories.  Unlike fairytales, the stories in the Bible are real.  The people in the Bible are real.  Jesus Christ is real.  To sit and watch this movie, I felt as if I was watching a movie about my best friend.  When I was a little girl, I gave my heart to Jesus.  Since then, He has always been my best friend.  While tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Jesus cry out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me,” I was still smiling because I knew that God had not forsaken Him.  I knew that three days later, He would rise again.  I knew that this was not the final chapter in the book.

When they spoke of places like Ephesus, I relived the moment I set foot inside the theater where the Apostle Paul was run out due to the fact that He was preaching about the one true living God as opposed to the god of Artemis.  The same theater where my dad and I proudly proclaimed, “Great is the God of the Apostle Paul!”  Through experiences like this as well as our adventures in Rome, I have literally walked in the footsteps of many of Jesus’ disciples as well as Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I have stood firmly on the ground where they walked and I have tried to imagine what it was like when they walked upon this earth.

I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed walking in their footsteps and I also enjoy watching dramatic representations of Bible times.  Nevertheless, there is one thing I love even more than these.  I love the fact that one day, we will no longer have to imagine what it was like to sit and have a conversation with Peter, Paul, or John.  We will not have to watch a depiction of Moses parting the Red Sea or a movie showing the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  For one day, we will literally be sitting face to face with these heroes of the faith and with Jesus Christ himself.

I recently saw where someone said they were sad to see The Bible come to an end.  While this particular series they were referring to has come to an end, I couldn’t help but think how the Bible itself has not come to an end.  The Bible is a living book with prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled.  We are seeing news every day that brings us one step closer to the long-awaited day when Gabriel sounds the trumpet.  Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will rise to meet Him in the clouds.  All of the pain and suffering and heartache will be no more.  All tears will be wiped away.  The old will become new.  We will be changed.  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

Until that glorious day, we have a mission.  To share the love of Jesus Christ with everyone.  Like Jesus’ disciples, we are called to be fishers of men.  We are called to spread His light throughout a darkened world.  Perhaps you are still living in darkness.  I want to encourage you to call on the name of Jesus Christ.  Confess your sins.  Ask for forgiveness.  Your life will be forever changed.  You will have a personal relationship with the One who gave His life for our transgressions.  If you have already made this commitment, I want to encourage you to live for Jesus every day.  Bring the Bible to life through the way you live for Christ every day.  And one day, you’ll discover that the final chapter is really just the beginning of a forever life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Baggage

Think back to the last time you were at the airport.  When you arrived, I’m sure you were lugging all of your baggage with you until you finally made it to the check-in counter.  Then, you left it with the airline agent and proceeded toward security with only your carry on bags in hand.  Wasn’t it a relief to be rid of the baggage that weighed you down?  If you’re like me, you probably felt free, or even light as a feather.  Why?  All because you gave your luggage to someone else and left it with them.

The luggage that we carry with us on vacation is much like our burdens that we carry around in life.  We may be concerned because we do not have sufficient funds to pay the rent.  Or we may be distressed over a bare cupboard in the kitchen.  There may be a desperate need for new tires, an air conditioner, or even a home to live in.  Or maybe we are dealing with an emotional or mental burden, such as the feeling of depression, loneliness, or hopelessness.  So many burdens, yet we continue to carry them around with us, struggling through each day.

Sometimes, we go to church on Sunday, kneel at the altar, and pray for God to take our burdens.  We set our burdens on the altar rail.  We feel so much better and we begin to see a ray of hope begins to shine through the clouds that have been lingering overhead.  As the vocalist sings these lyrics, “Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there,” we make a solemn commitment to God that we will no longer attempt to carry our burdens alone.  Everything seems brighter and we know that things will be better.  That is, until we see the mess we have made, leaving our burdens all over the altar.  The moment we stand up, we start picking them back up, stuffing them into our pockets or pocketbooks.  We've carried them so long that they have essentially become a part of who we are, albeit a negative part.  It’s so easy for us to try to take things into our own hands.  Instead, God wants us to leave it all in His hands.

What about you, friend? Perhaps you are newly widowed, divorced, or separated. Your child may be ill. You may feel like you are at the end of your rope with everything that is going on in your life at this very moment. The baggage you carry is getting too heavy. You feel like you will collapse under the weight. You simply do not know what to do. I want to encourage you right now to call on the name that is above every name. Call on the name of Jesus Christ. He will take your burdens. He will lighten your load. He will renew your mind, restore your joy, and reveal to you abundant life.

Our Heavenly Father does not want you to carry your burdens.  He does not want you to live in worry, fear, or despair.  He wants you to live a life of joy, peace, and grace.  Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross just so our sins could be forgiven.  He gave His all just so you could live a life free from sin, free from worry, free from everything that weighs you down.  He does not want you to be lugging around an enormous amount of baggage.  Give Him your baggage, big or small.  Give Him your worries and cares.  I Peter 5:7 says to cast all of your cares on Him because He cares for you.  Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, loves you more than you could ever imagine.  He cares for you.  He wants to help you.  Don’t pick up your burdens like you pick up your luggage from baggage claim.  Leave them on the altar.  Hand them over to Jesus.  Live a life free from baggage, so you can be abundantly free!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer