Celebrating the Epiphany of our Lord

Celebrating the Epiphany of our Lord

Introducing Brim Leigh Buchanan - our newest grandchild!

Introducing Brim Leigh Buchanan - our newest grandchild!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

"I Delight To Do Thy Will, O God." Psalm 40:8

Our 2012 Confirmands
Many, MANY times, we are left with the abounding sense that God has blessed us way beyond what we could ever deserve.  No amount of time could we ever live and serve that would make up for the boundless gifts; rejoicing and suffering, that God has poured out upon us.  Missing the beautiful spring of North Carolina, I think of the spring flowers, especially when 15 new centimeters of snow fall in April.  It takes days and weeks for a flower to grow and bloom; much like the beautiful lily one blossom after another.  Some days in the life of that plant are sunny & bright, and some are windy, rainy or cold.  But when the plant begins to bloom; having survived all the elements, it is truly glorious and shining, making the area around it that much more radiant & beautiful.  Every day in the elements was worth it. 
Thanks be to God, that His children are so much more precious and faceted, as each has unlimited potential, possibility, and sphere.  "....my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11.  I believe the 'shining' of a servant of God is 3-fold, if not more.  First, it is that when we are in His will, seeking His path, we are planted in the exact spot of the field that we can shine the best.  The gifts He's endowed us with are engaged to their fullest and have the greatest impact, and all the 'weathering' that has taken place prior to that planting is being employed.  Second, our joy is made complete as God's plan and work around us unfolds. There may be suffering along with the joys, but seeing God's vision, and the transforming of hearts, is strengthening.  Thirdly, shining requires sacrifice from the worldly comforts and familiarities around us.  "Letting go" in order for God to grow HIS garden requires the remembering and understanding that He sees the entire picture; He knows all and is ever present, and all things are possible through His hand.  At that point of understanding,, how can we refuse His command, His call? 
Shining in the garden isn't about our selves, quite the contrary, it's quite the opposite. It's about seeing hearts transformed into the freedom and love of Christ and being so overwhelmed with humblesness and gratitude of how God's blessings and gifts in those new hearts and lives are the grace upon which we don't deserve.  THAT is the joy that surpasses all.  Suffering and sacrifice only makes the joy deeper.
Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter in Happy Valley Moravian Church was a holy adventure in Christ. With an unprecedented Easter attendance, the proclamation of the cross of Christ was radiant and burning in hearts.       He Lives!  Let us all rejoice!