Emmanuel - breaking the silence

Between the closing words Malachi in the Old Testament: “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes…”

And the opening words of Matthew in the New Testament: “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham…”

…there are 400 years of silence when God ceases communication with his people, and then – Emmanuel; God with us.

But 400 years is a long, long time. Fear, uncertainty and hopelessness must have gripped the hearts of God’s people throughout that time. A spiritual drought set in.

There are times in my life when I’ve experienced a season of silence or spiritual drought. And as much as I longed to sense God’s presence with me, I felt nothing – well, nothing except a big dose of frustration, fear, and uncertainty. But it was during those times that I learned the true meaning of faith. Trusting what I cannot see or feel. I learned through these lonely times that God’s presence is not dependent on whether or not I feel him with me. He is with me because he says he is with me – period.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. {Deut. 31:8}

As we go through the Christmas season, I am determined to exercise my faith. Exercise means "the act of bringing into play or realizing in action." As I give my attention to Emmanuel, I will bring my faith into play by intentionally seeing and hearing others who are struggling through a season of silence. Who can I help? To whom can I offer the hope I have found in Jesus? An act of kindness has the power to break the silence in someone’s life.

Lord, let my life speak volumes to someone who needs to encounter you today – Emmanuel.

I am not the Christ

Did you know you aren't God?

"Of course," you say!

But in the day to day, moment by moment happenings of life, don't we sometimes act like (or like to believe) we are in total control? Being in control of people and circumstances offers a sense of security; a reassurance that we won't be taken by surprise and experience something unpleasant. Being in control means if our loved ones follow our wise counsel, they too will be safe and secure. Well, try telling that to John the Baptist whose life was cut short when his head was cut off because of his faith in Jesus.

"Now this was John's testimony ... He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ.'" {John 1:19-20}

John knew he couldn't save a single person, and his driving passion in life wasn't to be in control of people or circumstances, but to point people directly to the One who could save them - Jesus.

When John encountered Emmanuel, he boldly proclaimed him to be the Son of God "who takes away the sin of the world!" (vs 29} He didn't seek comfort as a priority; he didn't hide in his own little corner of the world and keep the marvelous truth of salvation to himself and his own family; he didn't take credit for transforming lives. He simply and directly pointed broken people to the One who could heal them in the most profound and permanent way - by taking away their sin and offering them eternal life.

John knew he was not the Christ. And he knew who the Christ was. If John had been seeking to control his life and remain safe, he would have missed meeting Jesus altogether. He would have missed the opportunity to announce him as the Son of God to a massive crowd, many of whom believed in Jesus and were baptized as a result. So sure, he could have been safe ... safe and ineffective.

I'll admit sometimes I try to be God in my own little corner of the world - then the words of John remind me, "I am not the Christ." But praise God I know him and I can freely testify of his salvation and truth and let him take care of the outcome. The last thing I want is to be safe and ineffective. What a tragedy! God is in control. I'm not. And that is truly a place of rest no matter the circumstances.

So I will gladly and freely testify, "I am not the Christ. But I know him, and I trust him."

He is Emmanuel. God with us.