Advent Waiting

“My heart says of You, ‘Seek his face!’
Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8)

As a pastor, I always feel a tension with the world around me when it comes to observing Advent. Everyone is in such a rush to get to Christmas – as soon as Halloween was over (even before), stores were changing their decorations to reflect Christmas. And the Hallmark Channels have had non-stop Christmas movies since the middle of October.

“But what about Advent?”, I protest.

Christmas is about remembering – remembering that God assumed human flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, to save us from our sin.

But Advent is about waiting:

• Waiting for Jesus to come again and usher in the Kingdom of Heaven once and for all.
• Waiting for the new heaven and the new earth foretold by the biblical writers, and promised by God.
• Waiting for that time to come when we will no longer see dimly, as a poor reflection in a mirror, but will see God face to face – and experience his grace and glory in all their fulness.

Advent waiting is not a tapping-our-feet kind of impatient waiting. Nor is it a looking-at-our-watch kind of waiting. No, Advent waiting is informed by a deep longing in our hearts, much like the kind of longing we encounter in the Psalms:

“My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God.When will I come and see God’s face?” (Psalm 42:2)

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,and in his word I put my hope.My soul waits for the Lordmore than watchmen wait for the morning,more than watchmen wait for the morning.” (Psalm 130:5-6)

“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8)

How would you describe your Advent waiting? How deep is the longing in your heart?

Our cat (actually our daughter’s cat that we’re fostering while she’s in graduate school) loves to be with us. Only, he’s not content to be by our side or on our lap; he has to be in our face, literally. It gives a whole new meaning to “seek his face!”. Really, the way Ray persists in getting in our face is endearing – and it shows me something of the kind of persistence I should have in my heart as I seek God.

Advent waiting is active. It is living today as if the promised new heaven and new earth is already a done deal; and, in fact, we should assume that it is a done deal, because it is God’s promise to us. And God is faithful. Always.

So live today as if the tomorrow for which we hope has already come. Live, as the apostle Peter urges, “holy and godly lives as you wait eagerly for the day of God to come.” (2 Peter 3:11-12)

You see, the beauty of our waiting is this: as we await the day when we will see God face to face, God gives us glimpses of his grace and glory today.

“Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

Look for the Lord. You will find him.

Wait for the Lord. He will come.

Fed from Above

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. - Jesus (John 6:27)

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. - Jesus (John 6:35, 51)

My wife is the gardener in the family. She is the one who can look at a piece of our yard that is bare and brown, and transform it into a palette of beautiful colors. Our gardens are her ongoing works of art bursting forth in colors across the spectrum.

Sure, I get the privilege of planting some of the flowers she buys, and I also get to water the plants (which in the hotter months is a daily routine for us). But Carol is definitely the one with the artistic vision. Even our driveway becomes a blank canvas for her to work.

This past spring we had a bare patch of ground along the back wall outside of our kitchen. Carol found some landscaping edge stones in our garage, and she created a nice little plot for some colorful flowers. So I worked the ground with a shovel, and we added a bit of manure to enhance the soil, and Carol bought some pretty pink flowers and white flowers (unlike my interest in butterflies, I don’t keep track of all the plant names in our gardens). With consistent watering, and the warm (not scorching) morning sun, the flowers quickly flourished.

One day as I was watering in the back yard, I noticed something interesting about this particular garden. The flowers planted in the middle of the garden were several inches taller than those on either side. I was curious, because we had spread the manure evenly, and we always watered consistently along the whole garden. So, why was this particular part of the garden doing so much better than the rest?

Then I looked up, and I found my answer. From the gutter just above the middle portion of the garden, there was a steady drip of water. Now, it hadn’t been raining a lot, so I got up on the roof to see why there was water in that part of the gutter. It turns out that the condensation drain from our upstairs air conditioning unit empties right at the seam of the gutter above the garden. And so the middle part of the garden was getting an extra feeding from above.

It made me think about how important it is for you and me to be fed from above.

I’m not really talking about the kind of food that nourishes our bodies, as if we should look for burgers and fries to rain down upon us. No, I’m talking about what we do to feed our spirit, to nourish our soul, to grow our heart.

Jesus told his disciples, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6:27) He was telling them that they needed to focus on satisfying more than their earthly appetites; indeed, they need to recognize that the true food that they need – food for the soul – can be found only in him. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:35, 51)

How do you feed your soul? Where do you turn to satisfy the hunger and thirst of your heart?

In our day and age, we are told that any number of things will give us the satisfaction we need: super cool cars and SUVs, bigger houses with all the bells and whistles, climbing to the top in your profession, being the most popular person in your peer group, pursuit of the perfect body image, freedom to do whatever we want… The list is endless. 

You know what I call those messages? Fake news.

Your heart won’t find the nourishment it needs unless it is fed from above. Your soul won’t flourish unless its diet is the bread of life. We need a steady diet of Jesus.

Every. Day.

Here’s the deal: In our garden, we can see the difference because it is clear which plants are being fed from above. In terms of your physical appearance, people might not be able to notice anything different if Jesus and his love aren’t the center of your diet. But in terms of your character, and in terms of your capacity for grace and compassion and love – it will make a visible and tangible difference when you are being fed from above. I guarantee it.

Don’t work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.

What feeds your soul?

Actually, the better question is, “Who feeds your soul?”

Reflecting Jesus

“...you have stripped off the old self with its practices  and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator." (Colossians 3:9b-10)

Nearly every year over the past 25 years, my family has vacationed to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. There’s something about the majesty of the mountains, the breath-taking rigors (literally) of high altitude hiking, and the cool mountain air that draws us back year after year. 

That, and the fact that my family has a cabin out there. Can you blame us for wanting to wake up to this view every morning?

One of the things that we enjoy is going to some of the lakes in the park. Some of them are hiking destinations, but a few are lakes to which people can drive, park, and simply walk around the perimeter. We like to go in the early morning or the late afternoon, when the masses of people aren’t there. 

I love taking pictures of mountain landscape reflections in the lakes. It’s as if simply appreciating the mountain view isn’t enough – with the reflection, we get double the beauty.

Of course, if there are clouds, or if it’s windy, or if someone throws a rock into the lake, then the reflection isn’t as good. 

But every once in a while – usually around sunrise and just before sunset – the water is as smooth as glass. Here’s one of my favorites:

The reflection in this one is so good, you may not have realized that the picture is actually upside down!

All this discussion about reflections has given me pause to reflect: How well do I (we) reflect the grace, mercy, love, and glory of Jesus in my (our) life? I mean, as one who follows Jesus, shouldn’t people see something of Jesus in me? And if I’m more and more intentional about living like Jesus, shouldn’t my life reflect Jesus more and more?

As it says in Genesis,

“Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness’… So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:26a, 27)

Of course, the image of God in us was corrupted by our sin. But it’s still there, and we should still be able to reflect something of that in our lives. And the truth is, Christ has redeemed us and made us into new creations; so we should be able to manifest more and more of Jesus in our lives.

Not long ago I was reading a book by a guy named Scott Sauls. (The book is Jesus Outside the Lines, and it’s about looking for ways that Christ-followers can relate to one another respectfully when everyone else is demanding that we choose sides and vilify anyone who is not on “our side”). In the book, he said this: “Even though all fall short, there is still a lot of truth, beauty, and goodness that come into the world through the people of Jesus. None reflect Christ perfectly, but many reflect him still.” (p. 123)

“None reflect Christ perfectly, but many reflect him still...” I agree. Completely.

I think one of the things I need to do (and you do as well, if you’re honest), is look at things that blur the image of Christ in me. What are the “gusts of wind,” or the “cloudy skies,” or the “stone thrown into the lake,” that distort what people will see of Jesus when they see me? 

Paul (you know, the guy who wrote most of the New Testament) says, “...you have stripped off the old self with its practices  and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.” Right before he says this, he lists some of the “old self” that distorts the image in which we are created, including sexual immorality, impurity, lust, greed, anger, malice, filthy language, lying, and some other things.

I confess: I have lusted (but so did Jimmy Carter, and he was President); I get angry; I mutter under my breath, and I’m not saying “golly gee”. And I’ve done a lot of other things that the Bible says I shouldn’t do.

And so have you. All of us have.

I don’t want to dwell on those things, though. I simply want to say that any of these things, when we manifest them in our lives, put a blemish on the image of Jesus Christ. And I don’t want to tarnish Jesus, not if I can help it. In this life, I’ll never be able to reflect Christ perfectly; none of us will. But my prayer is that I can, through my life, offer others more and more of the goodness, beauty, and love of Jesus.

I hope I can do that, every day.

Butterflies and Faith, Part 3

“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” (Revelation 7:9)

Jesus said, “ I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 8:11)

Have I told you that I love butterflies? Of course I have.

Have I told you that butterflies reflect some wonderful things about my faith? Of course I have.

Have I told you that butterflies remind me of new life? Or that the level of detail on butterflies reminds me that each of us, too, is a masterpiece created by God? Of course I have.

So let me tell another way that butterflies provide me with insight into my faith in God: the sheer variety of butterflies is mind-boggling.Scientifically, butterflies are part of the large order, “Lepidoptera,” which includes numerous subgroups; and all lepidoptera share a basic common anatomy (e.g., antennae, three-part body, compound eyes, forewings, hindwings, proboscis, etc), and so on a certain level they are the same. But scientific categories aside, I marvel at the diversity of butterflies (and moths -- they, too, fascinate me, at least when they're not eating my sweaters): size, color, shape, body characteristics, wing design… It really is amazing.

I have kept a list of the kinds butterflies and moths that I have spotted in my backyard in the past five months alone; I have chronicled 26 different kinds (If you want, send me a message on Facebook or Instagram (@revshw), and I will provide you with the detailed list). 

Every variety is beautiful and fascinating. Every variety.

It makes me wonder, If I am amazed at the sheer variety of butterflies (and moths), and I marvel at the diversity I see, then why do I consider the diversity of God’s human creation differently? Why do I look with suspicion at humans who are unfamiliar to me, or who have different skin color, or who are shaped differently than what we might consider to be “normal”?

Shouldn’t I look at every different human being and rejoice at the inherent beauty? Of course I should. So should you. All of us should.

My appreciation for the variety of butterflies reminds me that I need to appreciate the diversity of human beings that inhabit the earth. After all, not only do we have the same basic anatomical and biological characteristics, but even more, we’re all created in the image of God.

Jesus said, “Many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” When he said that, he was driving home the point that citizenship in the kingdom is larger than most of us thinks it is; it includes us, but it includes way more than us. It even includes people you and I might think unworthy of being in the kingdom.

In the Revelation of John, John is given a vision (presumably by God) of every nation, and all tribes, peoples and languages. As the little children’s song reminds us, “Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight.”

And if they are precious in the sight of our Lord, shouldn’t they be precious in our sight, as well?

When it comes to appreciating and valuing the sheer diversity that we find in the human race, I know I can do better.

We can do better.

We have to do better.

Butterflies and Faith, part 2

Butterflies and Faith, part 2.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:28-29)

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works.” (Psalm 139:14)

I like butterflies.

But you know that already, at least if you have read this blog or followed me on Instagram (@revshw) or Facebook. 

Butterflies reflect some wonderful things about my faith. For one thing, butterflies are a beautiful reminder of new life in Christ. I might have already told you that.

Butterflies also remind me that God is a detail-oriented God. Very detail-oriented.

When they are flying or flittering from flower to flower, it’s hard to appreciate the detail of their beauty. But when I capture them in a photo, I am amazed at how intricately designed – decorated, really – the butterflies really are. Every line, every circle, every dot, every swirl is wonderfully painted onto the butterfly by a Master Artist. 

Even the bottom of the wing is different from the top of the wing. 

Jesus spoke of the beauty of the lilies of the field, unmatched by even the most glorious human design. If I were to expand upon Jesus’ teaching (not that Jesus’ teaching ever needs expanding upon), I would point out the same truth with butterflies. Solomon’s most fabulous clothing could never hold a candle to the beauty and glory of the butterflies.

Butterflies are fearfully and wonderfully made. They are beautifully and individually created by God. 

So are you. So am I.

You see, there isn’t a single detail in our being that doesn’t have the imprint of the Creator. You are a masterpiece, intricately designed for beauty and purpose by God. If God cares enough to provide for the beauty of butterflies, don’t you think God cares about you?

Of course he does. God cares deeply about you, infinitely deeper than you can possibly imagine.

So the next time you look at a butterfly and consider its beauty, consider this also: You are a beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made masterpiece. Every detail of your being has the touch of the Master.

Butterflies and Faith, Part 1

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So, if you follow me on Instagram (@RevSHW) or Facebook you will probably have some inkling that I like butterflies. Maybe it’s because I have posted 46 pictures of butterflies and moths in the past four months. Though no one says it directly to me, I’m pretty sure that some of y’all wish I would move on from butterflies to something else.

But I can’t. 

Because I am fascinated with butterflies (and moths, as long as they are outside the house and not eating my clothes).

Butterflies are beautiful.

And butterflies reflect some wonderful things about my faith. On this post, I will share one of the chief truths of which butterflies constantly remind me: New life.

Butterflies (and moths, too) don’t begin as butterflies. They begin as eggs, which hatch as caterpillars, which form chrysalises; and the creature that emerges from the chrysalis is a beautiful butterfly. 

I mean, how awesome is it that God takes something that looks like this: 

Black Swallowtail caterpillars. Younger ones on the right; mature on the left.

...and transforms it into something like this:

Just a beautiful Black Swallowtail butterfly

#amiright?!

Now, some consider the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly as a metaphor for the resurrection. And I understand why they do that, because it’s as if something has risen from the dead.

Only, butterflies don’t rise from the dead. They emerge as a new creation. The DNA of a caterpillar and the DNA of the emergent butterfly are identical. But one would never say that a caterpillar and a butterfly are identical.

And that’s why, for me, the transformation of a butterfly from a caterpillar is more like the new life we experience in Christ. The apostle Paul says, “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old has gone, and the new has come!” 

Here’s the way I look at it: I was Steve Wilkins (or Stephen, according to my family) before I embrace Jesus in all his grace and mercy; and I am Steve Wilkins (or Stephen, according to my family) ever since I embraced Jesus in all his grace and mercy. My DNA hasn’t changed. But I have changed, because one cannot dwell with Jesus and not be changed, transformed.

The truth is, Jesus does an amazing work in our hearts. He fills us with hope. He assures us of his unconditional love. He cleanses us of our sin. He is the source of joy in our lives. He points us to the two great commands: to love God with our whole being, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

A heart indwelt by Jesus is a beautiful thing, indeed.

The next time you see a butterfly, take time to appreciate its beauty, and then let this sink in: “Wow, what God has done with that butterfly, is really like what God has done with me through Christ.”

Indeed, whoever is in Christ is a new creation. 

Lord, I Want to Love You Like My Cat Loves Me

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

               - Psalm 27:4

My cat loves me.

Actually, he’s not my cat. He is our daughter’s cat. But, alas, she has gone to the far ends of the earth (Montana) to study for her Master’s in Social Work, and she was unable to take the cat with her. So the cat – Ray – temporarily belongs to Carol and me.

But I’m the one that Ray loves.

I’m not bragging about it. It just happens that Ray chose me as the one he looks to for provision, and friendship, and comfort. 

He greets me when I wake up in the morning, quickly settling on my lap as I try to read my Bible and drink my coffee. 

When I take a nap on the couch, he tries to get as close to my face as he can.

Sometimes when I am getting ready for work, Ray follows me around the house; and if I stop in the middle of the room, he will reach up and ask me to hold him. 

It’s pretty cute, really. And endearing.

It makes me wonder, though: Do I look to God with the same passion and devotion that my cat has for me? Do I seek to rest in God’s presence with my whole being? Is it the longing of my heart to be held in the hands of the One who provides for me and cares for me eternally?

The psalmist – probably King David – only asks for one thing: “to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of [his] life.” Of all the things that David could’ve asked for – wealth, happiness, power… – he simply asked to dwell in God’s presence. 

Actually, that’s been the chief desire of the human heart since the third chapter of Genesis, when the first humans hid from God in shame. We’ve wanted nothing more than to be restored to fellowship with God. As Augustine said, “My heart was restless until it found its rest in thee, O God.”

And so nowadays when Ray crawls up and imposes himself onto my lap, it makes me say a quick prayer: “Lord, I want to love you with the same passion and devotion that Ray loves me.”

One thing I ask of the Lord, this one thing I seek…

What’s your one thing?