"Keep yourself in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." ~ Jude 21 When I consider the beauty that surrounds us each day, I begin to think of what we will behold on the next part of this eternal journey.
Can you begin to imagine a place so perfect in which peace has overcome violence? That unity has overcome color, and that helping one another has overcome greed and selfish behavior? Instead of this being some idealistic dream, or an anticipated promise found in scripture, the need to usher in such a vision begins now with each of us. When we forgive one another, extend compassion to a stranger, or reach out to be present with someone, ignoring our own circumstance to be completely unconditional for our neighbor, we are affirming that vision. We must remind one another constantly of the vision. Whenever it comes alive in us we will find new energy to live it out, right where we are. This vision is a reminder to all of us that we are part of a Kingdom that involves participation by all to make it happen. Making that vision a reality is the first step to ushering in the Kingdom of God! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017
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Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. ~ Isaiah 7:14 "Just one more minute."
I think if all of us were honest with ourselves we have muttered this phrase at least once in our life. We are not immune to wanting more time, especially when what we are doing at the time is meeting a need that we have. Time is always a challenge. When I was just staring seminary, I was going to school in Kentucky and living in Indiana. When daylights savings time rolled around, this woukd really get confusing at times. You see, at that time Indiana didn't fall back or spring forward when it came to changing their clocks, but Kentucky did. So that 8 am class I was attending suddenly began at 7 am on Indiana time, so I got up an hour earlier to leave for school. And then at the end of day, when that last class ended at four pm, my hour drive back home would then have me walking in my front door at 4 pm! It was absolutely crazy trying to manage my schedule several months out of the year. If you were to ask for "just one more minute" what might it look like? Saying, "I love you" once more? Offering an "I'm sorry" to someone seeking forgiveness? Or simply holding another's hand just a little longer? I can only imagine what Mary must have been experiencing as Joseph knocked at door after door. His words to Mary, "Just another minute, Mary. Perhaps this place," as he looked for a place where she might lie down as she was feeling her labor begin. While the earth awaited the birth of a baby, the arrival was just one more minute away. The balance between the anticipated arrival, and the need to find a place where the child could be delivered, would soon turn into, "Just one more minute, Mary. Hold on." The whole idea of seeking ways to create time is the battle we begin the moment we take our first breath. Each day I meet people wanting more time, and sometimes that person is me! While I often wish for more time, I am reminded that the life of Christ ends with a declaration of, "It is finished." No where is Christ asking for more time. For many, the birth to death chapters are filled with requests of just "One more minute. One more second. One more moment." What we do in those minutes says so much about every minute we have lived up that point! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 The angel shared with Mary, "Fear not, for God has found favor with you." ~ Luke 1:30 As I shared with a group yesterday, the time when both Mary and Elizabeth were expecting was both exciting and frightening.
For both women, it was going to be the first time they had delivered a child. Elizabeth was quite old while Mary was quite young. Spending time together and sharing their thoughts about God's plan at this time in their life surely must have been interesting. Elizabeth, in her years, watched many children come into the world, and grow up. But for her, this was something she had never experienced before. Mary, a young girl, the emmaculant conception had to be extremely frightening within itself. Both learn they are to give birth through messages brought to them by an angel. While we don't hear of God delivering messages by angels much these days, we can be bearers of the words, "Fear not!" to one another. Sometimes it's hard to hope for God's clear presence, or actions, in our life. I can remember preparing to graduate from seminary and clearly praying for God to let me know what was next on my journey. Along with every other person I was graduating with, and finding that we all would often be looking at one another while wondering if we felt God leading one way or another. "I just wish God would provide a map for my life," we would say. "Or how about a message from an angel, sharing what God's plan is." We don't always get a map, or the angelic message. That doesn't mean that we are not on God's radar! It simply means that we may have to wait a little longer. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for byour prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." ~ Luke 1:13 In the first hours of the day, a dear friend of ours gave birth to their first child. A son. His middle name is Grant, after my first name.
Names are something that often have meaning, whether after someone, or in the case of John the Baptist and Jesus, predetermined by some vast eternal plan. Like Abraham of the early Hebrew scriptures, John the Baptist was born to parents who were quite elderly. His father, Zechariah, was over ninety years old, and was part of a long line of priests. One day while he was carrying out his duties in that role, the angel Gabriel visited. He was told his wife would give birth to a son, and that his name would be John. He sealed the deal, my sealing Zechariah's ability to speak. I sometimes have to laugh when I consider some of the first words I shared when I first learned I was going to be a parent. Perhaps the condition was to keep the birth of Biblical proportion. It wasn't until the day of John's circumcision that he wrote the name of John on a piece of paper, and then suddenly had his voice returned. We know that Elizabeth was a cousin to Mary, and that John and Jesus would, together, serve in God's plan for all humanity. While I sometimes think of what kind of childhood these two had, and how John came to his choice of clothing and eating habits, it is a reminder that any of us, at any point, and under any condition, can be part of God's plan. His name shall be John! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 "It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to the end." ~ Deuteronomy 11:12 It snowed here yesterday. What's so amazing about that? We haven't had snow near Galveston, Texas in eight years! So, if course there was a lot of excitement.
It was fun to see parents waking their children up very early in the morning to go out and make a snowman, or experience, for some, their first ever time to make a snow ball and have a snow fight. For me, it was just an amazing sight to see what is normally green, covered with a layer of snow. Every where I looked, it was as if I were seeing things anew for the first time. I think that we get so caught up in our lives that we forget to stop and recognize the beauty of this world, until some unusual event causes us to stop and look. I find that the beauty of this world, the mountains, oceans, the small brook, the shining face of the full moon, and stars that line the galaxy all point to the incredible presence and glory that is God. It's not that I realize humanity living among all of this is a miracle within itself, but that I get to experience it all as part of that miracle. It prompts me to attempt to understand exactly who God is, and I find that it not only leaves me breathless, but sometimes even without words. While it is incredible to comprehend, it is also a reminder that because we all have the same Creator, we are all one. The same caring hands that formed the lace that embraces the flowers of the field, also pushed forth the tallest of mountains, and causes snow to fall and cover all things, making them appear in ways that makes us notice that creation all over again! The hands that took dust and shaped a reflection of the Creator, and then blew into it, bringing forth the humanity, did so in a way that we are not only made in the Creator's image, but that we are related; brother and sister. Does it become overwhelming to consider all that we are part of? I have learned that this is the glory of the Lord! Everything in this creation belongs to God! How marvelous to be part of this glory! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." ~ Isaiah 25: 9 Yesterday as I spent time with a dear hospice patient who has become a friend over the last few months, I listened as she shared about several life events, and then asked, "You do believe that God always has a plan don't you?"
I have to admit at this point in my life, this is not the first time a question like this has been asked. My response, "Of course, but I don't always believe that it is the same plan than we live out in our life." I think we all know a little something about the ability to make choices. At times I find it very hard to understand what God's plan is, especially when you see someone like herself, dying from a disease that you don't have a clue, "Why her?" There has been a lot written about why "Bad Things Happen to Good People." I have come to the understanding that God doesn't sit back, waiting for some magical moment for us to encounter something like cancer. We live in an imperfect world, filled with poor choices, either by our own doing, or that of others. We live knowing that statistically our chances for certain diseases can happen because of what we choose to eat, where we live, and the history found in our genetic design. However, I still believe God has a plan when these things happen. God understood our need for the presence of God to be so real, that God made the choice to send Jesus into the world. It's so that both God and humanity better understand one another, and that through God's own Son that we might understand God's plan better. While we may not always understand why things happen, it is reassuring to know that God will never abandon us, even when we make a choice to do something that God has not planned for us. For God sent God's only Son into the world, so that we ALL might have eternal life. Now that's a real plan! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." ~ Isaiah 25:9 One of the things about the birth of Christ is that we suddenly can point to a time when God took a new approach to reaching out to us.
For us, living within the spectrum of time, we must have faith and trust that the life awaiting us in Christ is real. God's heart and mind are greater than ours, and that includes the ability to create a timeless place for us to dwell. While we can point to a period of time that Christ walked the earth, lived and died, God continued to live within the reality of eternity. Even as Jesus leaves, he reminds those that he is with that he is going to prepare a place for us. I wish that for myself I had a better understanding of eternity, but then again, that is what eternity in heaven is about. It is the fullness of God's promise found in Christ, and the gift for humanity. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 “As for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:13 While growing up, as we neared Christmas morning, there seemed to be increased emphasis on how "good" we were behaving when I was a child. I can even remember my parents telling me to, "be nice, or Santa Claus won't bring you any presents."
I knew that was true because my father actually received a lump of coal one year for Christmas as a child. I have to admit, even aa a parent the whole "naughty" and "nice" approach to daily living seemed to have some real power over my own children at Christmastime. You know the song, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "you better watch out!" The whole idea that your behavior would result in whether you would get presents or a lump of coal in your stocking, was a clear understanding of what would result if you were good or bad. It's funny how as children we can manipulate our daily living practices to gain presents, but when scripture asks us to be good to one another, or even to love one another, we somehow forget how to do just that. "He sees you when your sleeping. He knows when you're awake," puts us in the holiday spirit as we sing the words as the song plays on the radio, but before there was this jolly old elf, there was an omnipotent God who is already present for every moment! While we may find that we are in the first week of Advent, perhaps we should take these words to heart as the guide to living out the remaining days of our life! The promise of eternal life should help to sustain our hope, and privide the envouragement that we may need to live out these words. Knowing that we are always part of God's presence as we live out these words, not in hope of ending up on a list of nice people, but as the instruments of the living Christ, should be what moves us to live out these words each day. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. ~ Psalm 62:1 - 2 I remember waiting on our daughter, Emily, to arrive. So much had already taken place prior to her mother's first labor pains. Doctor visits, preparing a nursery, going to classes, and the challenge of picking out the perfect name. All of this before she even took her first breath.
I try to imagine our experience to that of Mary. Modern medicine and prenatal care was not something available. An unnatural pregnancy for an unusual circumstance. A visit by an angel announcing she would have a child. A name being chosen for the child, and the uncertainty of where the child would be born when the time came. We know how anxious we were with preparation. I can't begin to imagine what this must have been like waiting, and wondering for Mary and Joseph. We are reminded that much of our life is filled with moments of uncertainty. We can take time to pray and to think about things, but until the moment arrives, we are still waiting. It's in the silence of waiting that God reaches out to provide assurance. In the silence God speaks, and if still enough, we find that a sense of calmmess washes over us, like that of a soft rain, even on a dark night. It's in that waiting that God wants us to know God's presence, so that when the time comes, we will be ready. Knowing God in our waiting, ensures that we know God when the moment arrives. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. ~ Isaiah 64:8 One of the things I often encounter when talking to people when facing the end of their life is hope. In fact, the subject of "Hope" is so important that when doing my charting as a hospice chaplain, there is an entire section about "Hope."
"Does the patient feel hopeless?" I have often thought the questions might focus on whether the patient has hope, rather than not! Hope is something we all know a little about. We encounter people from all walks of life using the word, "hope." "I hope I get that job." "I sure hope they win." "I hope the traffic won't be awful on my commute." (Maybe that should just be seen as a hopeless situation!) But seeking hope is something we all seem to be doing at some point in our life. While we look, God reminds us that God has created us, and that we are God's creation. With each touch of God's hands, we have been shaped in hopefulness. Like the dew on the grass this morning among the leaves that have fallen to the ground, there you will find hope. It is a reminder that while we may have experienced loss, there is still hope that something will come forth. Imagine the thoughts of Mary who found herself with child. Talk about someone who must have needed hope. While we begin our Advent journey this week, what are the things that you are hoping for? Like the dew on the blade of grass, hope flows over us, and is present. What we seek may already be present. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 In the spirit of Advent that begins this Sunday...
From Within Lord For nine months Mary carried within her womb the promise of God proclaimed. Realized by the gentle kicks from within; The gentle movement of life. Nine months she waited for the day – of sacrifice – patience and love – Nine months of waiting for the day of her baby’s arrival. And now she began to feel sharp pains, knowing that soon her son would be born – The pains that would spring forth new life… In this Son, she thought with intensified wonder – what things will I teach him? She looked into Joseph’s eye, the eyes that had been opened by God and saw deep within her The eyes that had known Mary’s fear and joy for nine months and saw her in love and care Like the morning sun upon the damp grass relieved Mary of all fright, all fear. Mary in her contemplation to the time when she would embrace “The Son of God the very essence of His love for me.” And tiny little fingers that would cling to her breasts in hunger Tiny lips drawing milk in, innocent face looking into hers With trust, learning with each breath. She felt him come – captured in a moment of release – No longer one, but now, two. Arms holding the infant close, are bathed in the moonlight. “Will this child learn to sing the birds to sleep and dance with his heart as mine?” And thus a child is born, While Joseph waited – waited in warm anticipation – waited for the awakening of a new beginning. Stay in God's grip! "Please plan to join me each day throughout the season of Advent beginning this Sunday as we journey towards the star in Bethlehem and celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ." ~ Todd |
AuthorRev. G. Todd Williams is the author of the book, "Remember Me When..." and is a former hospice chaplain and pastor. Archives
February 2024
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