I'm All In

Almost every night, I wake up in the middle of the night. It's the Lord, at least I hope it's the Lord, and we talk. Usually it's around 3:15-3:30am. I don't know why He wakes me at this time, but He does... so we talk.

A couple of nights ago I was awakened at 12:30am. I was like...12:30...really Jesus? It's 12:30! But it is Jesus, after all, so I said ok and we begin to talk.

Here's how way this conversation went.

I stayed under the covers and He began to reveal to me all the ways He has worked in my life over the last 35 years to bring me to where I am today. This took about an hour and a half. He was showing me this and showing me that. How what I thought were just circumstances was really Him leading. There were so many. I could see His hand all over my life. All those experiences...all those teaching moments, all the people He led me to.

It was so humbling. It's hard for me to even write about it without shedding tears. In fact, I can't.

I asked myself over and over again, "Why would Jesus have such involvement in my life? Wouldn't He just loving me be good enough?"

Then I think back to my youth...when I pledged to Jesus my life and said He could do with it anything He wanted. He has taken me up on it. And despite all of my stupid mistakes, sin, and dumb choices, He has been faithful.

I feel right now, I am at the threshold of something really important. Something He has been preparing me for throughout my entire life.

As I was pondering all these things Tuesday evening I realized something very painful. I still don't trust Jesus with everything.

Even though I can see His hand working even through the darkest hours of my life, I still don't trust Him completely. Even though I have been placed in a wonderful church by Jesus for this very hour, I still keep my options open. Even though He has replaced the years the locust have eaten, I still hold back.

It's utter foolishness on my part really. To hold something back from Jesus just isn't rational. I am the only one who loses. To hold back even a little bit is to deprive myself from seeing all He has for me. And not just for me, but my family and all I might influence because of His work through me.

I want to say...in writing...and with all my heart, I'm all in. From this day forward till I see you face to face, Jesus...I'm all in.

I need a tissue.

RP

A Christmas Message With a Twist

"The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12 NLT

I love the way Jesus comes into the world. It's so shows us who He is.

Unassuming.

Humble.

Wrapped in strips of cloth...just like the tomb. He left is earthly body the same way He entered.

I know me. If were king of all creation and had to descend like Jesus did, there would have been much pomp and fanfare in my birth. The whole world would know "I had arrived." But not Jesus.

What does that tell us about Himself? About God?

Jesus is the exact representation of God. Jesus said, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father!" and "I and the Father are one."

So what is Jesus telling us about Himself as He chose the manger over His throne?

Total humility. He completely stepped down from heaven and became exactly like the least of us in total surrender to the will of His Father...who is our Father by the way.

We see this over and over in the life of Jesus. This total humility and lack of pretense.

Standing in line, like everyone else, waiting to be baptized... Reclining at tables with friends... Hanging out with sinners and prostitutes...

The only time you ever see Jesus barging into a scene was at the Temple when the religious were making it difficult for people to get to God.

Think about the resurrection. Jesus had just risen from the dead. He had just crushed Satan's head and won the battle of all battles. And what does Jesus do? He just kinda sonders up the the two on the road to Emmaus and joins in on the conversation. They didn't even know it was Him until they saw His nail pierced hands as He served them bread.

I love it!

Jesus is so humble.

And He is still humble toward us.

He has no hoops to jump through to get to Him.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is just as approachable as that little baby wrapped in strips of cloth laying in a manger. The difference is He is now ascended to heaven. But not as a God who cannot be touched, but as a friend knocking on the door wanting to have dinner. Rev. 3:20

RP

A Special Invitation

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." Revelation 3:20 NLT

Oh, how I love this verse.

This invitation from Jesus.

Come. Dine. Sit down with me and be my friend.

There are few things in life I relish more than sitting down with a friend or friends and having a meal together. The conversation is so pleasant and the fellowship so real.

I remember as a child, my dad and mom had a constant stream of students over to our house...

for meals, popcorn, games, or just plain fellowship.

Oh, the fun we had.

The smell of popcorn and the sound of laughter would fill the air and Pepsi would flow like wine. (sorry, a little family joke there)

Those memories are priceless and the friends gathered eternal.

I sure had a great childhood.

But this verse is also so heartbreaking.

Jesus is standing at the door knocking.

Not loudly...

Not beating down door the door...

A gentle knock. Just loud enough we know He is there.

And the heartbreaker is this...Jesus was speaking to Christians.

He was writing this to a church. Laodicia.

Jesus.

Writing to a church.

To believers.

Asking to be let in.

Why does Jesus need to standing outside of His own church asking to come in? Even worse, why does He need to be knocking at the door of a believer? I'm afraid the answer is quite obvious. He's not already on the inside. He's waiting to be invited in.

All the stuff we have going on seems like Jesus...

Oh, the heartbreak.

He promises a great time.

Wonderful intimate fellowship.

And memories that will last all eternity.

But alas, ever the gentleman, He knocks.

And waits.

I think we kinda like Jesus out there... on the other side of the door. Maybe we're afraid of what He might say or ask. It's much safer to keep Him at a distance. After all, religion is easier than relationship. Religion is distant. Relationship is close and intimate. It requires trust and honesty. And exposure of the real me.

And Jesus knocks...

I would that all my days be spent in fellowship with Jesus as though we were friends dining at our favorite restaurant.

That is His invitation. I think I'll open the door.

RP