Little Lamb of God....

When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" - John 1:36

I sat down in the grass one night, the air crisp and cold. Nothing moved, nothing rustled - there was only the sound of the wind. The sheep all lay sleeping, huddled in their groups, and I knew, with a moon like this, danger would be on the prowl.

It's hard to stay awake. Hard to not nod off when there is such quiet, such peace. So, I shoved my staff into the ground and clasp my hands tightly around it, pulling myself to my feet - starting my pace around the outer parameter of the flock, gingerly through the breaks in the herd. All is well. To my left a new born lamb, still wet with it's mother's water, feeding softly. She nuzzles the lamb, snuggles it in close.

Kneeling at the side of this mother and her lamb, I remember a time when I was young, kneeling at the side of another lamb. This one more unique than any I could ever imagine. This lamb was born to be a sacrifice. Humbly He was born into the arms of a loving mother and an earthly father, still His heavenly Father stood watch. This lamb would be led to the slaughter and not a soul would offer him reprieve.

I saw him the night the angels led us into the city. Beautiful, peaceful and small, yet all I could do was worship him. He was an amazing sight. Just a baby, like any other baby - ten fingers and ten toes, pudgy legs and dimples. He had eyes that spoke to those who gazed into them. Yet, there was something different about Him. Something special.

I sunk my fingers into the wool of this ewe and scratched her head, praising her for the work she'd done to bring this lamb into the world. But I remember the look on the face of Mary - tender, pleased, joyful. Still a distinct sadness hung over her. She knew what none the rest of us could foresee. She knew what lay ahead for this child, this lamb, this sacrifice. What a bittersweet time for her. Elated that she has a son, broken hearted that he would die. Pleased that he is her child, torn that he is not hers to keep.

We sang to him this song:

Little lamb, tender and sweet,

You who lay at the Master's feet.

Born to bring us hope and love,

Given freely by the Father above.

Little lamb, given in peace and awe.

Favored by all who gazed upon you and saw

The gift which came to save,

The sacrifice who would overcome the grave.

Little lamb, tender and sweet,

You who lay at the Master's feet.

Born to us without hesitation this day,

Given to us to guide the way.

Cindy Sproles

I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned: but time and chance happen to them all. – Ecclesiastes 9:11

I walked a path once that required more of me than I was willing to give, more than I could afford to sacrifice. And remaining on the path would have meant losing sight of who I was. I’d trudged across the potholes, leaped a few crevices, and balanced my way across a few slick logs to get to a better side – even had a good friend say, “You really need to look deep into those things, find the demon that gnaws at you.

This path I had walked held a lot of vested interest. I’d put years into following the road, dodging oncoming obstacles, and even prided myself that I’d found a parking place at the end – one with a view. So when looked and found my tires a little flat, I realized the success had been less than kind to my vehicle.

All the efforts I’d put into this journey, all the time and care, seemed to have been sucked out of me. Things bubbled to the surface and I found myself floundering. I had run a good race, remained strong and faithful, yet still, harsh things happened. I had prepared for mishap, readied myself for the future, so I thought − but when things began to go array I couldn’t understand why.

I asked my friend “What does this mean?”

His reply. “Doesn’t matter if you’re the strongest solider in the battle if you happen to be the one who gets struck by lightening.” I had to chuckle at his simplistic yet effective answer. He was absolutely right −it all comes down to chance. Life happens to us all, unexpected, unwarranted, and uncalled for at times, but it happens. Regardless of the time and effort we place on the task at hand, anything can happen because life is still abundantly active. Who we are, what our position is, or how well we perform has its benefits, but in the greater scheme of things, if we’re the ones who get struck by lightening, it doesn’t matter.

I wondered for a moment then posed the question to the Father. “What does it matter?”

“But it does matter.”

“Not if you’re the one who gets struck by lightening.”

“Trust me, it matters.” the Father spoke. “It’s important you do your best in all that you do. It matters to me.”

“But if wealth can’t help, if strength and hope can’t stop bad things from happening then what is the point?”

“Point? There is no point. There is only the joy in serving me. Enjoy the talents and abilities I’ve entrusted you. Life happens, but it is full of wondrous and divine rewards. The bad is rare. The good far outweighs the bad. Work at all you do and I will lead you past the hard parts.” I nodded in agreement.

Time and chance will take its toll from time to time, but the efforts never go unnoticed. God always loves our efforts.

By Faith

“What do you believe in?” asked Jason. “I mean, people have to believe in something, so what’s your deal?” Jason Thomas brushed the mixture of sweat and hair from his face with his arm.

“Do you talk all the time Jason?” Robb remarked in an aggravated tone. The two college students continued to dig a ditch along the edge of a campus sidewalk.

Jason grinned as he tossed a shovel of dirt into the wheelbarrow. “I like good healthy discussion. You, on the contrary, seemed frustrated when the subject touches home.”

Robb lifted his shovel into the air and slammed it into the dirt. He yanked a towel from his back pocket and swiped his face, then huffed. “Man, you wait until I’m burning up, working like a dog, and in no mood for conversation, then you hit me with some philosophic mumbo-jumbo.”

“It’s not philosophic, it’s spiritual. And it’s not mumbo-jumbo – it’s just a question, and besides, what better way to make this few hours of torture pass quickly, than some sort of intelligent conversation? So, what do you believe?”

Frustrated and short on answers, Robb snapped back. “I don’t believe in church, or God. I believe in the cosmos and that all things work for the greater good.”

Jason’s lips parted in a huge smile. He’d found his way into Robb. “Huh. That sounds just like scripture. Did you know you sorta quoted a scripture? Romans 8:28 says, “..in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”

“Man, you jerk everything around.” Robb said. “Okay, so I might have heard that in Sunday School as a kid. So go ahead, tell me what you believe. How do you justify this God thing?”

At last, Robb asked. Jason had waited for this opportunity for some time. This was his chance. He carefully considered his answer then said, “I believe Jesus died for me and because of that I am justified by faith. I have peace…inner peace.” He wiped his face again, and then went back to work.

“That’s it?” Robb squawked. “One sentence?”

“Acutally, two sentences, but yeah that’s pretty much it. Jesus died for me and I am justified by faith. Don’t you see that in my attempts to talk to you, Robb?”

Robb shook his head and began shoveling dirt again. This time the Jason’s words burned deep. He couldn’t quit thinking about them. God had taken root.

Romans 5: 1 tells us, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have a peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…” Conviction comes to those who do not want to believe when it’s placed there by someone who consistently sets the example – someone who sows the seeds. It’s not our job to do the conversion; it’s simply ours to cultivate and plant the word.

As Christians we sometimes become caught up in the end result instead of preparing the ground work. Sometimes our job is simply to prepare. God handles the rest. We are justified by the faith we have in Christ, therefore we have every reason to share His good news. He justified us by dying for us. What an awesome thought. Now, go and share His word.

Prayer: Father, give me the courage to share my faith, and to instill the groundwork where You can work.”