nothing fancy

The world has filled itself up with flashy, sparkly, bright and fancy things.  Things that glimmer to catch our eye and turn us toward them.  But the beauty I have found in “the purity and simplicity of devotion to Jesus Christ,” cannot be covered up.  His light cannot be dimmed or snuffed out.  His truth still permeates all the information overload that is thrown at us each day.  Even newscasts now have a line of print scrolling across the bottom of the screen while someone else is telling us the news.  But shining faithfully, brightly, eternally is the constancy of God’s love.

I have a stack of 3×5 cards that I have written over the years.  They contain verses and quotes that I go over again and again in my mind and heart.  They contain truths that God has revealed to me through His Word for my life.  I have three, 3×5 binders full of them, but there is one I have never written down.  It’s probably the first verse I ever learned by heart.

“For God so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

 It’s not written down because it’s written inside me, on my heart.  The Gospel in a nutshell, that’s what I’ve heard it called.  There is no need to add flashy lights to it.  No need to make it glow in the dark,  for it already does.  That one verse has saved so many.  It’s like a gateway, an introduction into the Person of Jesus Christ.  To know Jesus as He really is, to watch Him through His Word, relating to people, is simply marvelous.  Over the Lenten Season this year I decided to read through a gospel.  I am still in it, because it’s like sitting down with Him, it’s like being one of His disciples and following Him around.  I feel like Mary sitting at His feet and learning of Him, from Him, drawn to Him.  There is nothing fancy about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but who needs fancy when You can have the real deal.  Jesus is the Real Deal.  I have learned this and feel this down in the deepest parts of my soul.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas lights, and carnivals, Netflix and concerts.  But the most beautiful thing I do each day, is wake up and sit with the God of the Universe, sit at His feet and learn of Him.  He is soooooooooooooooo wonderful, and personable, and Loving.  Jesus, Thank You for loving us.  Help us to set aside the fancy trappings and just listen to You speak to us through Your Word.  Thank You for all you have done, for who You are and for the promise of a better place for us in heaven, when this life is through.  Draw all people unto Yourself, Lord, as we lift You up as the Savior that Your are.  May we be guideposts, lamp posts, and road signs pointing many to You. Help us to shine brightly, as stars in the heavens do, in this dark and weary world.  Truly, You appeared and the Soul felt it’s worth.

Amen