The Wonder of it All!

I’m nearing another birthday and I am still amazed that I have lived this long. I’ve had many brushes with death, the final enemy that Jesus defeated; but I have never been close enough to smell its breath. Until now. It is not my age that has placed me in this close proximity to the ultimate darkness. It is the times we live in, and the assault against us, against me – against anything right or holy – that draws me within range of its foul and decomposing breath. It is not that I am holy, but it is that I try to be holy and live for Jesus that draws this specter ever closer and ever dogging my footsteps. I have seen this phantom upon people worn like a cloak or even a mantle. I have inhaled his breath – the stench of death – from those unsuspecting of his nearness and his work in their lives as he exhaled through them. I was and am shocked to see and smell and feel his presence so strongly in the lives of the people around me.

In my Spirit, I sense and feel death all around us, stalking us, luring us and drawing us at all times. It is never far away. I hear it’s call in the ravens caw, and in the black birds chirp. I can smell it when I draw too close and I pull away in alarm and dismay.  I have even tasted its foul stench in my mouth like a tooth gone really bad when I invaded his territory in my attempts to rescue those bound by him.

You see – in Jesus – we have light, we have life and we have love! When we look at Jesus – we can see the Father; for He is the exact representation of His Father – the Almighty  and Everlasting God – Elohim Adonai! In Him, there is no darkness at all nor any shadow of turning! Just pause and consider that for a moment. In God’s presence, there are no shadows – anywhere! His light is so pervasive and all-encompassing that is emanates from every angle and vantage point therefore nothing obscures it in any way or in any manner. And, this is not work for Him – it is who He Is! The Great I AM! The ever-present One! Hallelujah!

Conversely, in this life we lead down here in the enemy’s territory, we have shadows everywhere we turn. Light is obscured and completely obliterated in so many ways we can’t begin to understand it. Darkness encroaches upon everyone and everything it can and it wants to extinguish the light. It’s main purpose is to obscure or extinguish the very essence of life – the Light of God!

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Darkness could not comprehend the light. You know what? It still can’t! It is drawn to the light. It is drawn to Christians because we carry the light within us everywhere we go. It does not understand that and envies us, yet is afraid of us and of the light. It is a fatal attraction for darkness. Because Jesus will not be denied. He will absolutely have his way – praise God! Light will win! Light has won! Jesus is the light, the life and the way and through no other name may men be saved.

John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

Turn from darkness. Believe in the light. Learn to abide in the light! Arise! Cast off all the shackles of darkness and despair, of debauchery and desire, of greed and self-preservation. Find your place at His feet and walk in the light! Humble your self before God! Assume your role and fulfill all that God has for you! You can be His child, walking in the favor of the most high, taking back territory from the enemy of our souls, rescuing the lost and the bound and living a life worthy of high calling!

Oh, the wonder of it all! That God would consider and love man as much as he does! That God would set man over angels! That God would engineer and orchestrate our lives to such a degree that we might fulfill our destinies! So, that God could say “look at what I created – it is good!”  All His works are good; all His works are enduring and steadfast; all His works are awesome and mighty; and, we are His masterpieces! Oh the wonder of it all! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! What a Savior! What a Reward He is! He is our portion! Let us praise Him with all of our being! Let everything that draws breath praise Him!