Rushing the Sunrise, Post #6

I hurry. The world hurries, especially this time of the year. Do we want to wait on anything anymore? We instant message, sod grass, FedEx packages and can hardly wait for our computers to boot up.

I used to hate to wait. Waiting, though, is part of life; it’s Biblical. I read one statistic that the average person reluctantly waits more than three years of life before turning 70 years old. What are we doing during that time?

No matter what stage of life we are in, we are waiting on some dream, someone, some thing, or some day. It seems as if so much of my life has been waiting–on seasons to change; waiting on dreams; waiting on true, Godly love and marriage; gulp….even waiting for my wedding night before having sex (which certainly ain’t easy)!

For 12 years, it has been on my heart to write a book on waiting since I struggle with it so much. Perhaps by writing about it, we can discover together how to optimize it more and find true contentment.

Within the rough draft pages of my first book lie authentic stories on wading through my impatience; ideas on purity and other revelations; and hilarious, sometimes painful, mistakes I’ve made. Each chapter right now ends with “heavy wait” reflective questions, and “Light” wait answers of scripture as we seek and wait inwardly, outwardly, and upwardly. Let’s not rush the sunrise. Savor every moment. I know it will be worth the wait.

I need your help in crafting the book’s hottest content and its impact. Please forward this Post to as many friends as possible to comment on this blog post. By answering any or all of the following questions as a blog comment, I will give away two $25 Target Gift Cards this week to two random people who comment by Monday, December 16^th. Your comments may also be included in the book when it gets published.

Reflect:

1) What are you waiting for?

2) How do you deal with waiting?

3) Why does waiting bother you?

4) What has been worth the wait?

5) How have you/your faith grown from waiting?

6) Do you tend to rush the sunrise?

7) Any other advice or thoughts about waiting?

Renew:

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” –Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV 1984)
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” –Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

Recharge:

In the Advent season, how will you savor the moments more as we wait for Christmas?

What Do You Want For Your Birthday? Post #5

December is a month for some significant birthdays in my life. My precious Mom’s birthday is December 6^th, and we are throwing her a party this weekend. Two dear high school friends’ birthdays are December 2nd and 13th. I just attended a sweet friend’s surprise 65^th birthday party yesterday. The birthday of one of my Godly mentors is December 26th.

Oftentimes, I ask those I really love a simple question before their birthday: “What do you want for your birthday?” If you are like me, I just want to ensure I honor my loved one in the most meaningful way. Isn’t that what we want for our birthdays…to know we are loved and cherished?

The most significant person in my life, really in this world, celebrates His birth each December 25^th. Isn’t it wonderful that we all adorn our homes in Christ-mas finery and decorate the inside and outside with bright lights in honor of His birthday? We bake treats, buy gifts and send cards to our most significant loved ones , friends, and coworkers (and even strangers), and go above and beyond to volunteer and do “random acts of kindness” this time a year. Why? Perhaps it truly is all part of His birthday celebration, honoring the Light Of The World.

However you may feel about Him, one fact is irrefutable. History sets its time stamp of demarcation with Jesus’ birth—BC, “Before Christ”, and AD, “Anno Domini,” Latin for “In the Year of Our Lord.” Even the Old Testament prophesied Jesus’ birth (especially in the book of Isaiah) at least 700 years before He was born! Isn’t it fitting that we give Him our best as we celebrate His birthday?

When I was growing up, we baked a birthday cake for Christmas Day and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. I will always remember those sweet memories. Let’s create more fun, meaningful birthday memories for the King of Kings.

So, on this December 3, 2013 AD, in the year of our Lord, 22 days before His birthday, I encourage you to ask Him a simple question: “Lord, What Do You Want For Your Birthday?”

Then listen…

I can almost hear His still, small voice, can’t you?

“Your Heart, Dear One. That’s all I want. Your Heart.”

Reflect:

How will this Christmas birthday celebration be different from years past?
How can we listen and act more intentionally after asking the question, “Lord, what do You want for your birthday?”

Renew:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” –Colossians 3:23
“I am sending Him—who is my very heart—back to you.” –Philemon 1:12.
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the Truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart.” –1 Peter 1: 22

Recharge:

After asking, seeking, and listening, what intentional actions in your life have you been prompted to take?
Consider baking a birthday cake on Christmas Day and singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. Let’s party!
Please leave a comment of what is on your heart.

Resource:

Check out the last verse lyrics –“In the Bleak Midwinter” http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh221.sht