I have been so blessed doing this study by Ann Vonskamp
The Greatest Gift this advent season. She writes so poetically and flowery and
just like nothing like me.. so it ‘s so fun to read. It causes me to pause and really reflect. I think you should get this book, even if advent is close to being over.. because well advent can really be anytime right.
(and nope.. she didn’t ask me to, or pay me to advertise for her.. lol.. she doesn’t even know me.. but I was excited she favorited my tweet the other day . so that makes us bff’s right 🙂
Anyways.. many things in there have left me nearly undone.. as I pause and let the Savior enter in.
” She risks to live” talking about Rahab and her risking opening that window of hope to live.
” The places where we are torn to pieces can be thin places where we touch the peace of God.” talking about Joseph and how that evil intended for him God used for good (hard to believe huh.. God used prison, rejection, being sold into slavery by his own family, false accusations and more for Josephs’ good.. for his and His families ultimate redemption).
” Your legs may be weary and your heart may be heavy and your questions may be many, but whatever you are facing, it is always named Mount Moriah; the Lord will appear. The Lord sees. And He will see to it. And He will be seen.” talking about how Abraham had to take Issac to the altar of sacrifice and watch God provide the lamb.
I feel like I have had some of those moments this year. When everything I fear has happened. I have had to walk trembling to the altar of sacrifice and trust God to provide.. to see– to appear.
And He has. He has taken my every fear and appeared.. provided.. come.
Emmanuel God with me.
Not always in the moments you expect.
in chemo rooms, in hospital rooms, in ICU’s.
I have had to watch community that I poured my heart into deeply turn out differently then i expected.
I have put some dreams on the line and watched God write a different story then I planned.
I have cried . My family has cried.
I have laughed. Deeply deeply laughed. in the midst of the Majesty and the mundane
I have seen miracles.
I have felt the agony of waiting for the miracle.
i am still waiting for some miracles.
But most of all I have seen.
I have seen Light always break forth in darkness.
The promise of Isaiah Chapter nine..
Those walking in darkness have seen a GREAT LIGHT.
If you know anything about me.. you know i accidentally like to start fires.
Not on purpose.. it just happened.. like my scarf getting caught in a candle and catching the decorations on fire while I am speaking on stage. And a lady tells me I am on fire. And not because the Holy Spirit is moving– but because she needs to pour tea on me to put the fire out.
(don’t ask me how one professionally recovers from that)
I have learned that even when walking in deep darkness– God is light…
and I love this is Ann’s book.
When you light a world and the unexpected places with a BRAVE flame of Joy; when you warn the cold hopeless places with the daring joy that God is with us, is for us, God is in us, then you are a wick to light hope in the dark.
I have walked in deeper darkness this year then I ever thought possible..
yet somehow God has given me the brave flame of joy.
it’s a daring joy
A hopefiled joy
That my God is for me,
with me,
in me–
Even when it seems the opposite.
Let’s celebrate the brave flame of joy!
Thanks for sharing your joy even in the dark places!
"Let's celebrate the brave flame of joy!"
Oh, how I love this! May I hold onto that beautiful image of the brave flame of joy! Thank you for this lovely post! Have a Happy New Year!