"But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." (John 10:2-5)
When my sister was pregnant I wanted so much for my niece to kick me, but she somehow knew that I was in the room and would immediately pretend to be asleep and stop moving (my sister says it is because I am so loud). She would be mid-somersault in her Mommy's tummy and as soon as I got near to feel her, she would freeze. I would lean near and in a not-so-dulcet tone command, "Lil Baby. Lil Baby. You better wake up and acknowledge your aunt. Lil Baby. Lil Baby." My sister once told me, "if you don't stop talking to her like that she is going to come out hating you."
One day we were playing at Papaw's house crawling on the floor. I was on my hands and knees across the room and to get her attention I once again called out "Lil Baby. Lil Baby. You better get over here and see your aunt. You get over here and see your aunt right now." To my surprise she immediately crawled to me as fast as she could. I scooped her up and hugged her tight and kissed her sweet little face. She will be 18 months old in a few days and she still does it. Out of sight, I can call out to her "Lil baby. Lil baby." and she immediately heads for my voice even when she can't see me. We laugh and say it is like she goes into a trance. She locks in on me and comes to me as if she has no choice. She knows my voice and comes. She knows her special Aunt Alsie name and she answers to it - thrills me every time.
I want to hear the Good Shepherd's voice and respond like this sweet baby with an absolute resolve to come. I know His voice and He knows my name. I want to follow Him immediately and urgently without distraction or hesitation, knowing that what waits to greet me is the love and affection of Holy God. Others call out, but none can satisfy. He alone is worthy. May He be blessed and find delight in my obedience.
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Your Dash
Today I attended a second funeral in three days. The first was that of a husband and father who laid down for a nap and never woke up. The second was that of a 26 year old single girl killed in a car accident. One cannot help but think of the brevity and fragility of life at times like these, and if you are like me, and grief is never more than a memory away then your empathy bone hurts so much for these families. In today's service I kept thinking of a question posed to me in a college Bible study; "What are you going to do with your dash?"
In a cemetery there are all kinds of headstones and grave markers, but most of them share two details: a birth date and a death date. In between those two dates is a dash. A person's entire life summed up by a character you might have to think twice about to find it on a keyboard. All we get is a dash. For some that dash represents decades of days and generations of loved ones who have been left a beautiful legacy. For others that dash represents only a matter of a few short breaths. Only God is trustworthy to decide. Regardless, we only get one dash.
What are you doing with your dash?
In a cemetery there are all kinds of headstones and grave markers, but most of them share two details: a birth date and a death date. In between those two dates is a dash. A person's entire life summed up by a character you might have to think twice about to find it on a keyboard. All we get is a dash. For some that dash represents decades of days and generations of loved ones who have been left a beautiful legacy. For others that dash represents only a matter of a few short breaths. Only God is trustworthy to decide. Regardless, we only get one dash.
What are you doing with your dash?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Dreaming vs. Preparing
Everything I own was beeping at me this morning. I suffer from chronic procrastination and in an attempt to find a cure I sought the help of my very organized best friend. She apparently repaid my request by programming my iPad to rally my electronics against me and yell at me very early in the morning. I woke up (several times) to flashing, beeping reminders of today's goals and agenda.
I am good at vision. I am good at dreams. I am not so good with daily discipline. I know where I want to go, I am just not sure how to get there. My "wanter" is tuned up and working great; my "do-er" on the other hand is still running on 2G. My wheels spin but no mileage. I recently watched a television program where a woman said, "while you were dreaming someone else was preparing." What a gut punch! When the day comes where God pulls back the curtain on my dream will I be prepared to take the stage or run quickly to a beginner's crash course? Insert your favorite television talent contest here and think of the many competitors who get their shot in front of the "it" people who can make their dreams come true and it is obvious that he/she has not prepared for the opportunity. No classes, no rehearsals, no effort. What's your dream? What does your life look like your prepared for?
I dream of being a wife and a mom, but what am I doing now to prepare to be the kind of wife and mom God would have me to be? I dream of using my gifting in the way God has designed but what am I doing to be ready to serve Him? I dream of making a difference but am I preparing to be different?
Don't be mad at the calendar beeps (or the friend who rigged them)...Dreaming is done best awake.
I am good at vision. I am good at dreams. I am not so good with daily discipline. I know where I want to go, I am just not sure how to get there. My "wanter" is tuned up and working great; my "do-er" on the other hand is still running on 2G. My wheels spin but no mileage. I recently watched a television program where a woman said, "while you were dreaming someone else was preparing." What a gut punch! When the day comes where God pulls back the curtain on my dream will I be prepared to take the stage or run quickly to a beginner's crash course? Insert your favorite television talent contest here and think of the many competitors who get their shot in front of the "it" people who can make their dreams come true and it is obvious that he/she has not prepared for the opportunity. No classes, no rehearsals, no effort. What's your dream? What does your life look like your prepared for?
I dream of being a wife and a mom, but what am I doing now to prepare to be the kind of wife and mom God would have me to be? I dream of using my gifting in the way God has designed but what am I doing to be ready to serve Him? I dream of making a difference but am I preparing to be different?
Don't be mad at the calendar beeps (or the friend who rigged them)...Dreaming is done best awake.
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