The Source of All Growth
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made
John 1:3 (NIV)
I'm very familiar with being home, as I stay at home with my three little ones. Honestly, I often feel stuck at home, as it is quite a process to go anywhere with kids, and even more of a feat to go out alone. So, truthfully, to be required to be at home, as a "shelter in place", has been very difficult for me. My "job" as a stay at home mama is normally pretty exhausting, but even more so, as social distancing has made my kids even more hungry, and more creative with their ability to cast toys in every part of our house. But, I'm greatly aware of how this virus has been affecting everyone else's work too. Some of those I love are without work, some are afraid they soon will be, while others are trying to navigate how to work from home. And then there are those who are working extra to serve our community. Some of our work is considered essential, while some is considered non-essential.
Yet, when we look to Jesus, He is always at work. He is always creating. The daffodils in bloom, new buds on the trees, and fresh green grass are all signs that He is at work. And Jesus has always been the source of all creation, as it says in scripture: All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3 (NIV)
He is the source of all growth, and I see that daily in my sons, who outgrow their clothes, shoes, and coats on a regular basis. I see it in my 2 year old daughter, whose vocabulary grows every day, and is able to make more demands of what she needs and wants. "No mommy, I won geen fork" (I want green fork).
All around us are signs of His Creation, signs of His work, His continual work as evident in new growth and change. But, I believe our Creator God most delights in internal growth and change, that can only take place in our hearts, even now in this time of isolation.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
If we imagine our heart as a home, a home where the Lord can enter, what does your heart look like? Are there any rooms that needed dusting or cleaning (figuratively of course, please don't stress!)? Are there any rooms that you don't want Him to see? Maybe a closet that even you don't want to open and see what's inside? Will you seat Him in your formal dining room, where you bring out your best dishes, cook your fanciest dish, and even serve dessert? Or, will you let Him in to your kitchen, your real kitchen, not the one you clean before birthday parties and holidays. You know the one, where the dish washer hasn't been emptied in days, the dirty dishes are piled in the sink, the counters are filled with groceries and mail to be put away and some unidentified sticky substance. Will you let Him sit at your kitchen table, MAKE YOU a cup of tea, and just simply listen to how you are doing? I mean really doing? What will He say? I believe it will be something like: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
Candace Boatright
John 1:3 (NIV)
I'm very familiar with being home, as I stay at home with my three little ones. Honestly, I often feel stuck at home, as it is quite a process to go anywhere with kids, and even more of a feat to go out alone. So, truthfully, to be required to be at home, as a "shelter in place", has been very difficult for me. My "job" as a stay at home mama is normally pretty exhausting, but even more so, as social distancing has made my kids even more hungry, and more creative with their ability to cast toys in every part of our house. But, I'm greatly aware of how this virus has been affecting everyone else's work too. Some of those I love are without work, some are afraid they soon will be, while others are trying to navigate how to work from home. And then there are those who are working extra to serve our community. Some of our work is considered essential, while some is considered non-essential.
Yet, when we look to Jesus, He is always at work. He is always creating. The daffodils in bloom, new buds on the trees, and fresh green grass are all signs that He is at work. And Jesus has always been the source of all creation, as it says in scripture: All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3 (NIV)
He is the source of all growth, and I see that daily in my sons, who outgrow their clothes, shoes, and coats on a regular basis. I see it in my 2 year old daughter, whose vocabulary grows every day, and is able to make more demands of what she needs and wants. "No mommy, I won geen fork" (I want green fork).
All around us are signs of His Creation, signs of His work, His continual work as evident in new growth and change. But, I believe our Creator God most delights in internal growth and change, that can only take place in our hearts, even now in this time of isolation.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
If we imagine our heart as a home, a home where the Lord can enter, what does your heart look like? Are there any rooms that needed dusting or cleaning (figuratively of course, please don't stress!)? Are there any rooms that you don't want Him to see? Maybe a closet that even you don't want to open and see what's inside? Will you seat Him in your formal dining room, where you bring out your best dishes, cook your fanciest dish, and even serve dessert? Or, will you let Him in to your kitchen, your real kitchen, not the one you clean before birthday parties and holidays. You know the one, where the dish washer hasn't been emptied in days, the dirty dishes are piled in the sink, the counters are filled with groceries and mail to be put away and some unidentified sticky substance. Will you let Him sit at your kitchen table, MAKE YOU a cup of tea, and just simply listen to how you are doing? I mean really doing? What will He say? I believe it will be something like: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
Candace Boatright
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