He appeared to be no more than a Shadow. For so many years he had maintained vigil at this spot, at this particular time of year, while the ebb and flow of life passed him by. Rarely considered of enough worth to gain a stray care filled glance or a momentary attentive ear; he still positioned himself to smile and welcome all. He seemed relentless in holding to The Hope, the Hope that the long awaited promise might be made known in these days of fading light. Year after year, he would lift his voice to all within hearing range, and passionately remind patient listening hearts, "He is coming, do not fear, lift up your hearts for His Rescue, for He is near!"
Romans 8:22 - "For we know that the whole creation groaned and travails the in pain until now."
The Ache ... "O there has to be a way out!" "Rescue me, deliver me, help me, save me, hide me... O Lord!" So many stories throughout the centuries that have extended from and led right back to the Cross. All of our stories will and must lead us at some point to the Cross of Jesus, for without that confrontation there is no forgiveness of sins, there is no everlasting life: there is no Hope for Heaven. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes unto the Father but by Me."
Without the healing power of the Spirit of God through the Word of God in our lives "The Ache" will sooner or later lead to our bitter destruction. The sad thing is that it usually manifests itself in an increasing numbness and widening distance from the Voice of God. He doesn't stop calling, even unto our last breath...because "He is not willing that any should perish" ... But as we turn a deaf ear to His loving pleas out heart begins to harden; and the longer we habitually turn our eyelids upward, the easier it is to let His voice fade into the sea of devalued opinions and strayed God-void notions.
"The Ache" is the driver, the harsh connection within the futility of our own efforts against an unseen enemy that stacks the odds against us. "The Ache", is also the driver that can be empowered by God to keep our hearts, not only connected to Him (because we need Jesus, we need Him every breath of our life), but broken for others.Jesus is very intimately aware of "the Ache" - "Jesus wept." John 11:35
As our High Priest, He has purposely positioned His emotional response within the groanings of our infirmities, in the intimate knowledge of our inexpressible feelings. Romans 8:26 - "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Fear not "the Ache" - don't hold back the tears - reach out for cleansing so that you can arise with the song of the Spirit.
"O Sing unto the LORD a new song, sing unto the LORD, all the earth." Psalm 96:1
Our fragile broken song is so needed in these days of truth jilted by arrogant doubt, and light hampered by selfishly dark improv. Let us rise up and welcome the Coming King in the Spirit that He has imparted to His rescued aching kids.
Merry Christmas and God Bless everyone!
HLFA,
Jeff