December 9, 2011
The Yearning
As the winter season begins it become that time of year when choirs sing of great tidings, joy, peace on earth, and the birth of baby Jesus. Each year we reflect on the same story, a miraculous story, but always one of joy and happiness. However, this year, as I performed in the choir, like I always do, a song caught my attention, its tune caught me off guard. My heart was caught on the lyrics to a song called The Yearning by Craig Courtney.
“There is a yearning, in hearts weighed down by ancient grief, and centuries of sorrow. There is a yearning, in hearts that in the darkness hide and in the shades of death abide, a yearning for tomorrow…Emmanuel, Emmanuel, within our heart the yearning. ”
In the last two verses of the entire word of God, John writes, “He who testifies of these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen” (Revelation 22:20 – 21). How beautiful, awesome and amazing. That our God would not only come to begin the process of setting the world straight, in a peaceful still and silent way, as a baby, but that He would leave the same way. In an anticipating fashion, that only alludes to thing to come. He will come. Jesus offers this promise here in Revelations 22:20. He guarantees, His return, His setting right of the world, His salvation for us merely made clean sinners, His mending of us broken soles.
As light is shed on this realization I have a longing to fall on my knees, vulnerable and broken, crying out to God, to fix me. The world is broken, my soul is broken, but with God I am made right. This is what we wait for, this making right of the world. This is what we hope for, for this love story between God and man, written by Him who made us, to be complete.
I look ahead to Christmas and I see a new story. A story that doesn’t end at the birth of a baby, a story that is not completed by the rejoicing of shepherds, a story that is not finished by a God who walks among us, a Christ who was hung on a cross for us, or a Lord who rose from the dead. No, I see a Christmas story that is in the process of coming to a close, one that will end with a new beginning.
“There is a yearning, that fills the hearts of those who wait, the day of His appearing. There is a yearning, when all our sorrows are erased, and we shall see the one who placed, within our hearts the yearning.”
As we reach the climax of the songs that caught my heart, the catch becomes a tare. And the tear began to rip, bursting open a vulnerability that I had never realized was there. Causing me to become acutely aware of a new feeling in my heart. A feeling of as patient as stars building in air, a feeling as fragile as an in hale, waiting to breath out again. In my heart was placed… the yearning.
I am under vows to you, O God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
You must no longer live as the gentiles (non-believers), in the futility (hebel; selfish and uselessness) of their thinking. They are darkened and separated from the life of God, due to the hardening of their hearts.
The truth that is Jesus: put off your old self. Be made new in the attitude f your minds; to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Speak truthfully.
In anger do not sin — do not give the devil a foothold.
Work, that you may have something to share with those who need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of you mouth, only what is helpful for building others up. That it may benefit those who listen.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (grieve: λυπεῖτε to afflict with sorrow or sadness), with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption (his seal for the day you will be set free [from the world of sin]).
Get rid of all-
- bitterness
- rage
- anger
- brawling
- slander
- any form of malice (the desire to do evil)
Be kind and compassionate, forgive as Christ God forgave you.
Be imitators of God, as dearly loved children (Romans 8:15) and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed.These are improper for God’s holy people.
There should be no immoral talk or coarse jokes, but rather THANKSGIVING.
No immoral, impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
*For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
expose your fruitless deeds, it is light that makes everything visible— Wake up in your living sleep, rise from the dead (sin), and Christ will shine on you.
Be very careful how you live. Live as wise, making most of every opportunity.
Be understanding of the Lord’s will (by seeking after it).
Be filled with the spirit.
Speak to one another in song:
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the father for everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit (place yourself beneath) others in reverence (or holy fear) for Christ.
<3
Already yours [Bahamas]
Teeth [Thao and Mirah]
Who knows where time goes [Daniel Martin]
Janice Borla
Take five [Dave Brubeck]
Natural Disaster [Andrew Bird]
The Dave Brubeck quartet {<3}
Even Though [Norah Jones]
Shoot the Moon [Norah Jones]
St. Judy’s Comet - Paul Simon
greek love • agape love
unlike our english word “love”, it is not used to refer to romantic or sexual love. nor does it refer to friendship love. agape love is of and from God, who is the nature of love itself. 1 John 4:8 “God is love” He doesn’t merely love. He is love. Everything he does flows from his love. This love, this Godly love, this agape love, it is not sappy or sentimental, God loves the unlovable… GOD LOVES THE UNLOVABLE,… the unlovely, not because it is deserved but because it is who HE is. It is what he does, love. Agape love is radical, selfless love.
<3
Today was a good day. The sun felt good on my skin. The breeze was soft not sharp. My smile was real. My hair looked good. But if there was one thing I could change it would be tonight.. Its a little anticlimactic. I mean here I am young (and pretty good looking if I doo say myself *chuckle*) and my grandma always told me “shake it, while you got it”. I’m pretty sure I got it! but here I am. with “it” on the coach listening to music and wondering why I’m not somewhere else.
maybe tomorrow night will be better… God’s will.
