Delightful would it be to me to be in Ulster
On the pinnacle of a rock
That I might often see
The face of the ocean
That I might see its heaving waves
Over the wide ocean
When they chant music to their Father
Upon the world’s course
-Excerpt from Colmcille fecit poem, 6th century
This morning the sky is cloaked with a heavy blanket of cloud. No blue can be seen. But there is light, glorious light coming behind the clouds.
I feel a shiver of anticipation. I can almost see the Lord Jesus riding in on his mighty steed on the clouds of the east, with the blinding beautiful light of who He is. It feels like the curtain could rise any moment. Like He is standing at the door, waiting for the time appointed for Him to return.
After Jesus ascended to heaven, angels appeared to his apostles and told them that Jesus would return in the same way He had gone to heaven. The second act will come. This earth will pass away. A new heaven and a new earth will take its place. He will separate the goats from the sheep, the ones who didn’t believe in Him from the ones who did. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Thank you, Lord, for your precious salvation that let me start again and lets me live and breathe each moment.
Please know how very loved you are by Christ. He is waiting for you to open the door; He is there. And if you already know Him, be excited. He is coming back. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
“He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.” – Psalm 104: 2-4
“After Jesus said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ ” – Acts 1:10-11
“Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. ‘I Am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’ ” -Revelation 1:7-8
Blessings always, Lisa
In this case, the grass definitely is greener on the other side of the fence. 🙂
But seriously, how many times do I miss God’s blessing because I am too afraid/lazy/stuck in a rut to open a door?
Being stuck on one side of the gate is safer, predictable, controllable.
If I walk through to the other side, embrace an adventure of any sort, I am risking a stray sheep gone rogue, or ankle turning in a bog, or a sudden fog to engulf me.
Or, it could be the greatest adventure ever, with beauty and wonder and newness. A day to see new things the Lord has made. A day to trust Him whatever the outcome.
If God is calling you to a gate, maybe He wants you to open it.
‘So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:7-11
Blessings always, Lisa
Photo Credit – Ed Lyons, 2015, Ben Bulben, County Sligo, Ireland
A sudden shift in melody, an unexpected pause
The change in light at daylight’s end that brings a sudden thrill
A new taste swirling ’round the mouth
The wakening pulse with travel
The unexpected brings with it refreshing change of perspective
c2022 Lisa Lyons
I am challenging myself to embrace the unexpected this weekend. To not react to it with anxiety and trepidation, but with openness and excitement. Something different. Something exciting. A new challenge. An obstacle to figure a workaround. A change in my too stubborn mindset.
Here is a treasured photo of my son at age 7 embracing the unexpected, circa 2001. We were doing the tourist thing at the Cliffs of Moher, and a kind musician saw his interest in his accordion. He immediately offered Joshua a go at it. Better yet, Joshua jumped right in and went for it, with little knowledge of the instrument. Beautiful memory, wonderful encouragement and joy for all of us.
Blessings to you as you embrace your unexpected surprises this weekend, Lisa
Think About These Things 