Hurry Up and Wait

 

At dance competitions or shows, my husband and I have a saying, “Hurry up and wait.” Given the unpredictable nature of scheduling at such events, there is always a rush to arrive at the venue in plenty of time to register, get a feel for the dance floor, warm up, change, and pray before the event is called. But once we do this, there is often a long wait before we dance, with the risk that muscles will get stiff and cold, that we need to refuel, and that costumes and makeup will need additional readjusting.

The same is true in many circumstances of daily life, like commuting. The morning scramble of dressing and grabbing a bite to eat before rushing out the door often results in a seemingly endless wait in a traffic jam. Or, once we breathlessly race into the important morning meeting for fear we’ll be late, we end up just sitting there restlessly for twenty minutes until the boss saunters in to rally the troops.

These moments of waiting need not be wasted, as our time on earth is short and precious (Job 14:1; James 4:14), and we should redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5). While waiting to dance, my husband and I often use the time to pray, visualize our performance, and encourage our fellow dancers. While stuck in traffic or waiting for a meeting to start, we could mentally rehearse our plans for work and ask God for His guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6) in all that we say and do, to be good ambassadors for Him (2 Corinthians 5:20), to His glory.

Such examples are common and not particularly dramatic, but a similar philosophy could be applied to a life-changing event such as childbirth. While the mother-to-be waits for nine long months for natural labor to begin, helpless to bring it on any sooner, she prepares her heart and her home for the new arrival, nourishing her growing infant by eating and sleeping properly and avoiding toxins or other harmful exposures.

But once she feels that first labor pain and her water breaks, she drops everything and races to the hospital, where again she must wait for the right time to begin actively pushing to deliver her child. The pangs become sharper and closer together, but in the interval between contractions, there is nothing to do but pray, conserve energy, release stress, and wait patiently for the next one.

Jesus and the apostle Paul compared this process of childbirth to what the world will experience, and I believe is experiencing now, as the End Times draw near (Matthew 24:8; Romans 8:22). God is not slothful to deliver on His promise of the Rapture and Second Coming, but is waiting for His perfect timing (2 Peter 3). The signs of the times, such as earthquakes, wars, famine, epidemics, increasing evil, and false teachers (Mark 13; Matthew 24) become more intense and frequent as the day approaches, much like labor pains (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

It reminds me that “hurry up and wait” applies to our spiritual life as well. When we hear God speak to us through His Word (Psalm 119) or in other ways (1 Kings 19:12), we must be swift to obey, for delayed obedience is the same as disobedience (Matthew 21:28-31). If we ask our teenager to take out the trash, and he agrees to do it, but it’s still sitting there the next evening and growing putrid, he has not been obedient.

If we have not yet trusted Christ as our Lord and Savior, despite the Holy Spirit tugging at our heart to do so, we may procrastinate, but at our own peril. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2), and if we keep putting it off, our heart and our conscience may eventually become seared (1 Timothy 4:2) to the point that we no longer hear God calling.

Often born-again Christians, who have been saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way (John 14:6) to Heaven, also indulge in this type of disobedience. We have clear direction from God, but we rationalize our delay in following, using such euphemisms as “God is laying a burden on my heart about this,” or “the Spirit is convicting me to do this,” or “I’m still praying for peace about this matter.”

As the Nike commercial says, “Just do it!” Once God speaks, we must not only listen, but hurry to obey, just as the shepherds ran to see the infant Jesus (Luke 2:15-17), or the Samaritan woman raced off to witness about the Messiah she had found, in her haste leaving behind her water pot at the well (John 4).

But there are times that we agonize because God seems to be silent, or because we are unable to determine what path He desires for us in a specific matter, or because He has promised a good outcome that seems to be endlessly delayed. We forget that His timing is always perfect (Ephesians 1:10), and that His definition of “soon” can be one thousand years instead of one day (2 Peter 3:8), as we would prefer.

In circumstances like these, we must wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14) to reveal His plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11) in His perfect way and with His perfect timing. Otherwise, we will act rashly with irremediable consequences, as Sarah did. God had promised that she and her husband Abraham would at long last have a child, ending her barrenness even though she would be even older than she already was. Through that child of promise, Abraham would become the father of a great nation (Israel) and through his seed (Jesus Christ), all nations would be blessed (Genesis 18:10-18; 22:18; 26:4).

But nearly a quarter century passed since God made that promise, and Sarah was still barren. So she took matters into her own hands, as if God could not be trusted to deliver on His Word, and as if He needed her “help.” She persuaded Abraham to have a child by her Egyptian handmaid Hagar, and he too demonstrated his spiritual weakness by listening to his wife instead of to God (Genesis 16).

Ishmael, the resulting child, brought strife and heartache into his family’s life, particularly once Isaac, the child of promise, was finally born (Genesis 21). But the consequences of attempting to force God’s plan did not stop in their home, for Ishmael gave rise to the Muslim nations that continue to be at war with Israel to this very day.

We wait in lines at the supermarket; we wait for a birthday or special occasion, and we must patiently wait on God’s timing in all areas of our life, if we are to be good stewards (1 Corinthians 4:2), while we await His long-promised return. This waiting is not passive or slothful, but is actively spent in prayer, studying His Word, and doing His general will in areas where there is no question, such as witnessing to others about Him (Matthew 28:18-20), praying for others, giving (Philippians 4:10-17) and tithing (Malachi 3), and serving Him in a local church (Hebrews 10:25).

As Christians, we will be blessed if we hurry up to obey once God gives us a clear command, but wait to hear His voice before making any radical moves or decisions. May we listen for His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12) and be swift to obey it!   

© 2019 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Remember

 

Memorial Day has special personal significance for me as I remember my grandmother, “Baba,” who went home to be with the Lord on this holiday when I was fourteen years old. She loved her family sacrificially, enduring many hardships as a young wife, leaving her home and country to begin a new life with her husband, to raise my mother and then me. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman in her generosity, industriousness, and character, and I cherish the Godly legacy she left me as a model of faith (Hebrews 11), charity (1 Corinthians 13), prayer, and service.

Tangible reminders of Baba highlight my life, from photographs on the foyer table and in albums, to tea towels she hand embroidered in the Ukraine, to a print of the Lord’s Supper that adorned her bedroom wall, and even to my medical school diploma, representing the education she helped finance through her thrift and keen business sense.

As we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States, we remember our fallen troops who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms, and we thank them for their faithful service. By giving their lives, they showed the self-sacrificing love epitomized by Jesus Christ, Who laid down His life to save His friends (John 15:13).

Jesus paid it all to bring peace between sinful man and holy God (Colossians 1:20). He became sin for us even though He was pure (2 Corinthians 5:21), holy and sinless (Hebrews 7:26), the perfect Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He rose again from the grave on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), proving that He is the Son of God and God Himself, so that all who trust Him as Lord and Savior have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Remembrances of God’s love, faithfulness and provision also abound in the lives of His children. First and foremost, we have His recorded Word (2 Timothy 3:16), His love letter to us explaining where we came from, His instructions for how to live a fulfilled life pleasing to Him (Proverbs, Psalms), and His plans for our future (Jeremiah 29:11). Throughout the Bible we learn of tangible reminders of His goodness.

The Ark of the Covenant contained the Ten Commandments inscribed in stone (Deuteronomy 31:26; 1 Kings 8:9), a golden pot of manna that God provided to feed His children in the wilderness, and Aaron’s rod that miraculously budded with almond blossoms (Hebrews 9:4). Men of God built altars and used Ebenezer stones (Joshua 4:7-24; 1 Samuel 7:12) to remember, honor and praise God for His deliverance.

If we look at our own lives, there too are numerous emblems of God’s blessings. Our spouse and children are answers to prayer for loved ones to fill our daily lives with love, joy, purpose and meaning (Psalm 127:4; Genesis 25:21; Proverbs 18:22; 19:24). Our dwelling, possessions, clothing and food represent God’s fulfilled promise to provide for our daily lives (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:25). Treasured mementos, photographs and letters remind us of the legacy left by our loved ones, and how God enabled us to achieve the goals and dreams He planted in our heart (Ephesians 2:10).

Notes written in our Bible, in a prayer journal, or in our hearts prove God’s faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23; Psalm 36:5; 89:1-2)) over and over as He answers prayer in the best possible way, with His perfect timing, working all things together for our ultimate good, for the good of others, and for His glory (Romans 8:28). May we remember the name of the Lord our God, His works and wonders (Psalm 20:7; 77:11), and His Word (John 12:16; 16:4).

As we visit the graves of fallen heroes on Memorial Day and beyond, decorating them with flags and flowers, we remember their service and sacrifice. May we also never forget God’s mercy, grace, and goodness (Hebrews 4:16), from the cross of Jesus Christ, Who died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), throughout our Christian walk, and His recorded promise to bring us home at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) to live with Him and our loved ones in Him throughout eternity!

© 2018 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Water, Wine and Wonder: Triplets of Transition

 

Water, Wine and Wonder: Triplets of Transition

Photo by Nyehob 2016

Scripture records three incidents reflecting the transitions Mary had to make as Jesus grew up and entered His earthly ministry. The first was Jesus staying behind at the temple in Jerusalem to do His Father’s business (Luke 2:41-52); the second was the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-13), and the third occurred when Mary and her other children came to visit Jesus (Mark 3: 31-35) while He was teaching and preaching.

The wedding at Cana occurred on the third day after Jesus had gathered His apostles together. Essentially, it was the “debut” of His earthly ministry and the first time Jesus, His mother, and His disciples appeared together at a public event (John 1:37-51; 2:1-3).

A marriage celebration is an appropriate setting for the Messiah in His new role. It reminds us that He is the Creator Who designed man and woman to unite as one flesh (Genesis 2:22-24; Matthew 19:6); it pictures the holy union of Christ and His bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:23-32); and it anticipates the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). At that ultimate feast, all believers saved by their faith in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6) will begin eternity with Him in their glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).

I wonder if Mary suspected beforehand that her Son’s miraculous power would be revealed at this public gathering, or if she just came to Him spontaneously hoping He could intervene in an awkward situation. A Hebrew wedding celebration at the time often went on for days, accompanied by feasting, drinking, and dancing by loved ones who had traveled from all over to honor the new couple beginning their life together.

But the host at this wedding was about to be humiliated, for they had run out of wine. Mary came to Jesus and did not cajole or order Him to help, but instead just stated the problem: “They have no wine” (John 2:3).

Mary’s approach to her Lord is a great model for our prayer life, for too often we plead like petulant children hoping to get our way (James 4:3), or even worse, order God to “fix it” according to what our limited understanding seems to be the best solution (Isaiah 55:9). Instead, we should bring our requests to Him simply stated (Matthew 6:7), thanking Him in advance (Philippians 4:6), and trusting that He will answer our prayer in the best way possible (Matthew 6:8; Romans 8:28), according to His infinite love (1 John 4:8), wisdom (Psalm 139:6), and power (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17,27).

But Jesus reminded Mary that God’s timing is always perfect, that He will not be rushed to meet the demands of our schedule (Ephesians 1:10), and that we must trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). He rebuked her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come (John 2:4). His response suggests that He would follow His Father’s lead (Ephesians 5:1-2), not that of His mother or anyone else, and wait upon Him (Psalm 27:14; 33:20), acting only when He received clear indications from His Father (Psalm 46:10). Again, a great example for all of us.

Did Mary attempt to exert her parental authority (Exodus 20:12; Luke 2:51) by ordering Him to help, “guilt” her Son into rescuing the situation, or question His power (Job 4:17; 5:1), doubting whether He could even be of any assistance? No, she handled the confrontation with deference to His will (Luke 22:42), tact in resisting the urge to argue (Proverbs 15:1), and recruitment of aid from the servants, whom she told to obey Jesus in whatever He asked of them (John 2:5).

May we learn from Mary that when we approach our Lord to make our requests known (Hebrews 4:16), we should defer to His perfect solution, wait peacefully for Him to move, and encourage others involved in the situation to also follow His command. As we await His answer, may we have faith that His ways are best (Hebrews 11:6), patience, knowing that His timing is perfect (James 1:2-8), and obedience to His perfect Word (1 Samuel 15:22; Romans 6:16; 2 Corinthians 10:5-6).

Jesus gave simple instructions to the servants, and they obeyed without question, even though His commands defied all logic. He told them to fill six waterpots, to draw from the pots, and to present it to the host (John 2:6-8). If they presented only water that had not been transformed to wine, the guests would have been insulted, the host would have been humiliated, and the servants would have been punished or even put to death.

But praise God, He had changed water into wine! He saved the day for the host, who most likely was unaware that Jesus was involved, only that this was the very best wine of the day, implying that it was fresh grape juice and not fermented (John 2:9-10). He pleased His mother, giving her reason for great joy, making her proud, and no doubt filling her with wonder at His Divine power, only now beginning to be revealed (Matthew 15:31; Mark 6:51; Luke 2:18; 4:22; 8:25; 24:12,41).

Most important, He had performed a great miracle!  Other Scripture terms for “miracles” are “signs” and “wonders” (Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 6:22; Acts 2:22). The waterpots that had been used for ritual purification were now filled with new wine, symbolizing the precious blood Christ would shed to pay for all our sins (Romans 3:25), the power of His blood to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7), and the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 12:24) that gives eternal life to all who trust Him! This miracle therefore marked the transition from adherence to the law for salvation, which is impossible, to salvation by God's grace.

The miracle was the first of many Jesus did, showing His Divine glory, and reinforcing His disciples’ faith in Him (John 2:11). In remembering this miracle, may we allow His living water (John 7:38) to flow through us, trust in the power of His blood represented by fruit of the vine, and be filled with wonder at His mercy, love and grace!

© 2016 Laurie Collett

Edited and reposted from the archives

A Liquid Investment

 

 

Photo by Zaynabazam7 2018

In a dream I had recently, I have an IRA account through American Express. I need to determine the asset allocation of the account, so I ask my son, who is a banking executive, if I should choose Stocks, Bonds, or Liquid Investment. He says stocks and bonds are risky right now, so I should choose Liquid Investment. I do that and expect to get a statement by mail or email, but instead I get a package delivered that contains a huge jar of Manuka honey!

In contemplating the meaning of the dream, I realized that choosing our investments must be done wisely, not only in terms of finances, but in terms of how to allocate our time, talents, mental and physical energy, and priorities. A liquid asset generally refers to cash, or to an asset that is easily converted to cash for immediate use because there is a constant demand for the asset, and because the price fluctuates little. It is therefore generally safer than stocks and bonds.

A liquid investment would therefore be one that can be used immediately for one’s benefit, or stored safely for future use with little or no risk of loss. So why, in the dream, did I receive a huge jar of Manuka honey?

To meet our healthy living and wellness goals, my husband and I have adopted a primarily Mediterranean diet, emphasizing fruit, vegetables, legumes and fish, with mostly white meat rather than red, and some dairy.  Interestingly, the diet is rich in foods that Jesus and others in Scripture ate or referred to favorably, including fish, eggs (Matthew 7:9-10), whole grains (John 6:35; Ruth 2:23), pomegranates and olive oil (Deuteronomy 8:8).

We also try to incorporate “superfoods” that are known to improve health and counteract aging and disease, like broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, bamboo shoots, and, yes, Manuka honey, which benefits immunity, digestive health, wound healing, and other health concerns! The Promised Land was described as flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8), clearly considered to be desirable and healthful foods.

Although Manuka honey is very expensive, how can one put a price on good health? As the saying goes, people often spend the first half of their life ruining their health to accumulate wealth, and the second half depleting their wealth to restore their poor health.

Scripture also warns us to take care of our body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are to honor God in our body by refraining from sin (Romans 6:23); nurturing the flesh so that it can serve God longer and better (Ephesians 5:29; Romans 12:1); and by avoiding alcohol (Proverbs 20:1) and unhealthy food (Proverbs 23).  Yet physical exercise, while important to our health, is of less value than godliness, or spiritual exercise, which involves prayer and meditation on God’s Word (1 Timothy 4:8).

I therefore believe the dream also alludes to the importance of feeding on Scripture. God’s judgments, or laws, are described as more to be desired than much fine gold, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10). God’s words are sweet to the taste, and sweeter than honey to the mouth (Psalm 119:103), just as pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones (Proverbs 16:24).

So it appears that the dream was a reminder to value God and His Word above all else, and to trust Him and not in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17). We are to lay up our treasures in Heaven, where they will reap eternal rewards, ever increasing in value and never stolen, ruined, or useless (Matthew 6:20). Those who trust in their material wealth have no power to redeem another soul –only God can do that (Psalm 49:6-15).

This interpretation was confirmed by a devotional that was part of our reading on the morning after the dream, which was entitled “A Ludicrous Investment.” It referenced Jeremiah’s purchase of the field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin – an investment that seemed ludicrous because the country was at war and the land was being ransacked. Yet God, foreseeing the future restoration, commanded it, and Jeremiah obeyed, to the benefit of his people (Jeremiah 32:8-9).

In contrast, Jesus told the parable of the man who trusted in his own possessions to guarantee his future. He had accumulated so many material goods that he had no room to store them. Instead of giving away the excess to the poor, he decided to tear down his barns and build bigger barns so that he would have no need to work. He thought he would live comfortably and even party for many years, but God called him a fool for not realizing his soul would be required of him that very night, and then whose would his possessions be? (Luke 12:16-19)

Even worse, the implication is that he was unsaved and would spend eternity in hell.  We cannot give God and the world’s economic system the pre-eminence in our lives, and if we trust in the latter and put it first in our hearts, how can we be saved? (Matthew 6:24). The deceitfulness of riches will choke out God’s Word from growing in our heart (Matthew 13:22). Hence it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:21-26).

In my dream, the honey, or God’s Word, was referred to as a liquid investment – not only because honey is in the physical state of liquid, but because God’s Word has instantaneous as well as eternal benefits. Through it we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2), guided by its light, cleansed by the water of the washing of the Word (Ephesians 5:26), kept from sin (Psalm 119:11), and given comfort, hope, peace and joy!

One of the many Names of Jesus Christ is the Word (Revelation 19:13). As the Word, Jesus Christ created all that is, was and ever will be (John 1:1-3), and He became flesh to live with us (John 1:14); to die as the perfect, sinless sacrifice to pay our sin debt; and to rise again so that all who trust Him will have eternal life (John 3:16). What could possibly be of greater value than that?

Those who are not born again (John 3:3-8) by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way (John 14:6) to Heaven might consider time spent in God’s Word a foolish investment. But may we who are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) be like Jeremiah, following His Word and knowing that we shall always profit from its lessons, infallible Truth, comfort, cleansing, and power!   

© 2022 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Shoes

 

Image generated by AI

Recently I had a dream in which I was participating in a local talent show. My “talent” was a gymnastics act on the uneven bars, something I have never done in real life, and not something I would be likely to do well starting this late in life.

A small crowd had assembled in a meeting hall, and I was next up. My mother (who passed away 25 years ago) was in the audience. Just before I was to start, she asked, “Did you ever check to see what grade you got on your final history test in the 10^th grade?”

Startled by the inappropriate question, I mumbled incoherently that we would discuss it later. As I looked down at the uneven bars and tried to concentrate, I became distracted by looking down at my shoes. They were heavy, ugly, black, too large, and on the wrong foot!

But it would be difficult to remove these in time, as the music was about to start! Thankfully, my husband had trouble getting the track to play, and I used that time to slip out of these monstrosities that would no doubt weigh down my performance. The dream ended and I awakened before I ever had the opportunity to test my skills, or lack thereof, at gymnastics.

The next day my husband and I met with someone whom we had hoped might be helpful to our new church plant, New Life Bible Church Tampa. Much to my dismay, he was wearing shoes similar to those that had weighed me down in the dream, and his foot position while walking made it appear that his shoes were on the wrong foot! I took this as a confirmation of other indications that he would not be a good fit for our ministry, which proved accurate.

A few nights later, I again had a dream about shoes. This time my husband and I were to perform a ballroom dance in the American Smooth style. I was dressed and thought I was ready, until I realized that I hadn’t yet put on my dance shoes, and we were up next. In a panic, I rummaged through my duffel bag, retrieving every pair of shoes but the right one. I found hiking shoes, sneakers, ballet slippers, but no closed-toe high-heeled pumps needed for this type of dance.

As I awoke in a sweat and pondered the meaning of the dreams, the uneven bars in the first dream likely represent the challenges of life, particularly of a new ministry, that may upset our balance. Just as I have never been trained in gymnastics, I have no hands-on experience in church planting. And yet my years of dance training, particularly in partnership dancing involving overhead lifts, would be a solid foundation for learning gymnastics, should I so desire (Spoiler Alert: I don’t!).

Similarly, although my husband are led to plant a church, which we have never done before, in this later season of life, we can see the hand of God in how He prepared us with relevant experience, training, and resources to accomplish this mission through His grace, provision, power and wisdom (Philippians 4:19). Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but with Him, all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26). His grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

My mother’s strange question in the dream, about whether I had ever checked the grade I received in my final history exam in the 10^th grade, may be a reminder to remember and learn from our personal history from long ago (Psalm 100:5; Deuteronomy 7:9). When we look back, we can see how God has shaped and molded us according to the plan He has had for us since before the beginning of time (Jeremiah 29:11; 33:3; Ephesians 2:10).

Years of Bible study and teaching, faithfully listening to God’s Word, supporting missions, writing this blog, serving in churches in music and in other ministries are all clearly helpful for church planting, and we thank God for this experience. Less obvious advantages are the skills and opportunities he gave Richard and me in building maintenance, public speaking, administration, writing, online communications, and even hosting parties, graphic arts design, interior decorating, and flower arranging!

Yet there are challenges and obstacles in any new endeavor. The clunky shoes in the first dream reminded me of the admonition to remove the weights that can so easily encumber us as we run the race that God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1-2). While overt, unconfessed sin can destroy any ministry, as it removes us from fellowship with God, Who is our power source, unrelinquished weights can also throw us off course (Isaiah 59:2).

The demands of church planting constantly remind me to keep my eyes on Jesus, Who alone can direct our paths to accomplish His will (Proverbs 3:5-6). Other interests and trivial pursuits, while not evil in themselves, can become a distraction or weight that keeps us from optimal fruitfulness. Ugly shoes would detract from a polished gymnastics routine, and the extra weight could result in slower speed, a misstep or even a fall. The darkness of sin would ruin our testimony, and meaningless pursuits, even idle chatter, could sap valuable energy and time from the ministry God has appointed to us (Matthew 12:36).

In the first dream, my shoes were on the wrong foot, and in the second dream, I could find no suitable shoes at all. While different forms of sport and dance each demand a different type of footwear for optimal performance, Scripture tells us to put on the same footwear daily, along with the rest of the armor of God. We are to have our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).

What is that Gospel? That Jesus, Son of God and God Himself, was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again on the third day, so that all who trust Him would have eternal life. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16).

No matter what specific ministry God has entrusted to us, we should prepare for it daily by remembering why we are here – to stand firmly on the foundation of the Gospel, which protects us from the thorns of sin and evil that would otherwise pierce us in our most vulnerable areas, represented by the feet. It is the Gospel of peace that reconciles sinful man to Holy God (2 Corinthians 5:18), and it is our mission to spread that Gospel wherever God’s path leads us (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus told His disciples to take only the bare minimum of clothing, one staff, no bread or money, and to be shod only with one pair of sandals as they spread His Word from village to village (Luke 10:4; Mark 6:8). Truly, having our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace is the only footwear His ambassadors will ever need!  (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Because of that footwear, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isaiah 52:7).

May we always have our feet shod with the Gospel of the preparation of peace and walk or run with that truth to share it wherever God leads us!

Copyright Laurie Collett 2026

Light, Salvation, Strength

 

Imagine, if you will, a terrified child who falls into an abandoned well shaft while playing in the woods. One moment he was frolicking in piles of crimson and golden autumn leaves; the next, his young life flashes before him in an instant as he drops through branches loosely covering the opening to the dark pit below.

Thankfully, enough leaves have accumulated in the well to break his fall, but his body is sore and racked with pain. The sides of the well are steep and slippery, and there is no way he can climb out on his own. Nightfall soon approaches, and with it an overwhelming darkness. It is a new moon, and clouds have covered the stars. In the distance, a wolf cries out, as if invoking the child’s certain doom. The boy shivers, more from fear than from the bitter cold.

Suddenly, he hears his name called, and he manages to scream through his uncontrolled sobbing. A search light pierces through the darkness and then directly into the shaft.

“Please save me,” the boy moans with what seems like his last breath.

“Don’t worry, son,” a powerful yet calm voice reassures him. “I’m here – just trust me.”

The boy gladly surrenders all control to his rescuer, who descends a rope ladder into the well, hoists the lad to his shoulders, and carries him out the same way in his own strength. Once reunited with family, the boy grows in physical and spiritual strength, ever thankful to his rescuer and to the God who sent him, with His perfect timing (2 Peter 3:9).

Before we can be saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) of Jesus Christ as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we need to come to the end of ourselves and our own strength, and to realize there is no way we can save ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9). Like the little boy, we have fallen into a miry pit of clay (Psalm 40:2), as David writes in Psalms, and we cannot escape it in our own strength.  We are sinners (Romans 3:23), all under the curse of Adam and Eve’s original sin (Genesis 3), and we deserve eternal punishment in hell (Luke 16).

While suffering the consequences of his own sin, and fleeing for his life from King Saul who wanted him dead (1 Samuel 18:11), David was gripped by fear, yet released from it by the realization that only God is in control. God’s perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). He is the only Rescuer who can lift us from that miry pit, if we trust Him.

Psalm 27:1: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Light, salvation, strength. The “Prince of Preachers” Charles Spurgeon referred to this verse as “a threefold cord which could not be broken.”

Before we can be saved, we must know we are lost, which happens only when the glorious light of the Gospel shines into our heart (2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 1:10). Faith comes by hearing the word of God, brought by a witness of the Gospel (Romans 10). By that light, we can see that we are sinners deserving eternal death; that only God is holy and righteous; and that He sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).

Only then can we be saved by trusting Jesus and His completed work on the cross (John 19:30), which paid in full the penalty for all our sin. He alone is our salvation, our Savior, and once we invite Him into our heart, His perfect righteousness is credited to our account (Romans 4:20-25). When God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin, but only the perfect holiness of His Son, and He therefore grants us eternal life with Him in Heaven (Romans 5:19-21).

Then He adopts us into His family (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5); appoints us as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), betroths us to His Son, and makes us joint-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). We then have access to all His abundant riches in glory (Ephesians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:3; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:27), including eternal life (John 3:16), joy in the Lord (Romans 5:11; Philemon 1:20), peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), and His strength, which is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Truly, then, we have no cause for fear, for there is no match for God’s omnipotence (Revelation 19:6). Nothing can separate the believer from His infinite love (Romans 8:38-39).

The threefold cord of light, salvation and strength mirrors the three Persons of our Triune God: Spirit, Son and Father. A threefold cord cannot easily be broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Nothing can pluck us from the saving hand of Jesus Christ (John 10:28-29); nothing can loosen the Father’s grip on the Son’s hand; and nothing can break the seal of the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13).

Before we can be saved, the Holy Spirit shines His penetrating light into our heart, so that we can see who and what we truly are, and what Christ has done for us (John 14:26; 15:26). Then we trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is our only salvation (Acts 4:12). He is also the only Way to the Almighty Father and His strength, for Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and we are complete in Him (Colossians 2:9-10).

Thank you, Lord, for missionaries, preachers, and your Word that rescue us by shining the Gospel light in our hearts! Thank you for sending your Son to save us from our sins, deliver us from the miry pit, and give us eternal life! Praise you for allowing us to grow in Your strength to be Your lights in this dark world, until You come again!

© 2021 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Giving Birth

 

 

I dreamed that I have just given birth to a baby girl. I feel fine, not tired or sore as would be normal after labor and delivery, as if someone else did all the work.

I haven’t seen her yet, but the nurses assure me that she is beautiful and perfect, and they show me pictures. One is a photo of a beautiful young woman, with soft, blonde wavy hair framing her face like a halo, wearing light makeup that looks very natural and enhances her symmetrical features. The other is a pencil sketch, with a map or diagram across her forehead showing different facets of her personality and where they reside in her brain.

I’m surprised by the pictures, as she appears full grown rather than newborn, and I long to see her right away. My husband and son are in the room and I call out to them, “Let’s go see her – everybody wash your hands!”

But the nurses say they are still working on her, and she’s not ready for us to see her yet.

When I awoke from the dream, it was with a sense of longing to see this new creation that was part of me. I realized that the girl in the dream represented the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15) that I am in Christ, now that I am born again (John 3:3-8) by trusting in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way (John 14:6) to Heaven.

The Bible speaks of the newly saved Christian as a babe in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1), first needing the spiritual nourishment of the sincere milk of the Word (Hebrews 5:13; 1 Peter 2:2), or its simple yet perfect truths of salvation through faith by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Just as we do not and cannot work for our salvation, for all our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), I experienced no labor in the dream, and hence no fatigue, for Jesus Christ Himself accomplished all the work (Isaiah 64:6) needed for my spiritual rebirth. He paid the price in full for my sin debt through His shed blood on the cross (Romans 3:25).

At the moment we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are not only born again (John 3:3-8), but justified through His righteousness, which is credited to our account (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:16-18). When God the Father looks at us from that moment on, He no longer sees our sins, but only the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. All our sins are debited to His account, and His perfect standing and inheritance of eternal life in Heaven are credited to our account (Romans 8:17).

This is known as positional justification. Were we to die moments after being saved, we would immediately go to Heaven, like the thief who accepted Christ in his dying moments on the cross, even though there was no time for him to be baptized, attend church, read Scripture, or do any good works in the Name of Jesus (Luke 23:42-43).

A newborn is not expected to remain in the nursery for long, but to grow and mature into an adult, each with their own personality, attributes, and responsibilities. After we are born again, we are to mature in our Christian walk, being fed with more challenging portions of “meat” from God’s Word (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12) and becoming more like Christ each day (1 Corinthians 1:30).

This process of progressive sanctification was symbolized in my dream by the “newborn” pictures actually resembling a young adult, with a beautiful face and “brain map” indicating a complex personality, both of which God Himself fashioned since before the beginning of time (Psalm 139:14-16).

In the dream, I shared my desire to see this new creation with my family and wanted them to see her too, but I also wanted us all to wash our hands first, symbolizing the spiritual cleansing that takes place through the washing of the water of God’s Word (Ephesians 5:26).

Sadly, we were not yet allowed to see her, reflecting that the ultimate expression of God’s new creation in each believer will be our glorified body that He gives us at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:42-58). At that time, we will experience eternal glorification. We will know Him and one another perfectly, as we ourselves are now known by Him. We will live forever in our glorified body that will never age, sin, die, or experience illness, sorrow, or pain.

But in the meantime, full understanding of Jesus Christ, of Heaven and of what we will be like eternally eludes our grasp, for we still see as through a glass, darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12).

In Bible times when the apostle Paul penned these words, glass was not clear, flat and free of impurities as window glass is today, but was cloudy, wavy and distorted. You might be able to tell that someone was passing by your window, but you wouldn’t be able to recognize or describe them. Such is our present view of the glories of Heaven that await us, and of our eternal companions, the saints in light!

The dream reminded me of how I long for the Rapture, for Christ to come again, and for my aging body to be transformed into a glorified body, to live forever with Him and my loved ones in Him in the abundant joy and perfect peace of Heaven. But no man knows the day or hour when that will occur (Mark 13:32), and we can rest assured that God’s timing is always perfect.

Meanwhile, once we are born again, may we continue in our Christian walk to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ until that glorious day when we see Him face to face!

© 2022 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the arch