Born to Die

And the angels filled the sky
All of heaven wondered why
Why their King would choose to be
Be a baby born to die...."
("Born to Die", Bebo Norman)

The temperatures are dropping (with an exception of the bizarre 65 degree weather on Monday), stores are crowded, and everyone is scurrying to put up all of their decorations. No one has anytime to sit down let alone really ponder the beauty of wintertime or the blessings that we receive each day from our heavenly Father. My life is so busy, and often I don't take the time to really sit back and think about Christ. Sure, I spend time in the Word and prayer, but I want to really ABIDE in Him, dwell on Him, live in Him as a branch does in the Vine throughout every moment of my day. I have so much to be thankful for, and even if every good thing in this life was ripped away, I would still have every reason to rejoice in the eternal salvation purchased for me on the cross of Calvary.

Yesterday, I was holding a baby. As I looked into his big brown eyes and at his little cheeks, I was reminded that our God became so helpless. I know, we always hear about this, to the point that it really doesn't shake us up to much anymore. But take a moment and just stop. Think about the fact that God became flesh and dwelt among us. When our car breaks down and we don't have any money to fix it, when we are struggling and laboring through a very hard trial, when we face opposition from others for the sake of Christ, when we are weary of struggling with sin and selfishness....the fact that God became flesh brings everything into perspective. This year, I have been trying to think not only of his first coming--full humanity and full deity, wrapped in a tiny, crying, needy package--but also his awaited return--fully King and Lord, "Who is called Faithful and True....dressed in a robe dipped with blood...(whose name) is the Word of God." (Revelation 19:11,13) Hallelujah!!! If you are truly His child, then THAT is something worth looking forward to!

Today, I would have been 11 weeks pregnant with our first baby. God in His sovereignty called this little one home, and I trust Him. He became flesh and dwelt among us, He bore our sin and carried our sorrows, it is truly finished because Jesus paid the price. No struggle in this world can take away our joy.

Rejoice and bow with me, for the King Reigns. Worthy is the Lamb.