[APRIL 23] A New Normal

Read: Romans 6:1-11

"Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

--Romans 6:4

After my doctor announced that I has cancer, I tried to listen to what he said, but I couldn't. I went home, pulled a blanket over my head, and fell asleep on the couch, as if sleeping could change the diagnosis.

When I finally gained enough strength to tell my loved ones, my friend Judy Schreur said something especially memorable. After expressing her sympathy, she said, "This is what will happen. You will feel really bad for 3 days. Then you will get up, figure out what you have to do, and get on with your life." Then she sdded, "I think it has to do with death, burial, and resurrection."

At the time, I didn't believe it. I was sure that life as I knew it was over. Nothing would ever be the same. I couldn't imagine feeling normal again. But she was right. Three days later I woke up and realized I didn't feel quite so bad. And little by little, despite the physical misery of chemotherapy treatments, my emotional and spiritual condition improved significantly. I "died" to my old reality and was "raised" to a new normal.

Thankfully, God is in the business of resurrection. For those who have died in Christ, the death of one reality means resurrection to a new, glorious normal so we can "walk in newness of life" (Rom.6:4). --Julie Ackerman Link

Jesus redeemed us and died in our stead;

In Him we died and rose from the dead.

No longer is death a thing that we dread;

The old is behind us, the new is ahead. --D.De Haan

REFLECT ON THIS:

To be "in Christ" is to share in His life, in His death, and in His resurrection.

[MARCH 30] The Kingdom of Me?

Read: 1 Peter 3:8-17

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts."

--1 Peter 3:15

In 1977, 15 year-old Kevin Baugh and a teenage friend decided to create their own country, just for fun. The Republic of Molossia began as they drew a map, created paper money, and made a flag. Today, Mr. Baugh continues his micro-nation the same way it began--just for fun. When Chicago Tribune reporter Colleen Matony toured his 1.3 acre kingdom in the Nevada desert, Baugh assured her he still pays US taxes, which he calls "foreign aid."

"It's always tongue-in-cheek," Baugh admits. "I'm doing this for the pleasure and enjoyment of having my own country."

Not many of us will create our own nation, but we all have a kingdom of the heart where we decide who will rule. The apostle Peter wrote: "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" (1 Peter 3:15). "Sanctify" means to set a part Christ as Lord or Ruler of our life.

There is something within each of of us that longs to be in control of our lives. It may be only a small corner where we assert our spiritual independence and answer to no one but ourselves.

But true freedom comes when we allow Christ to rule our hearts. --David McCasland

'Tis mine to choose if self shall die

And never rise again;

'Tis mine to yield the throne to Christ

And bid rule and reign. --Christiansen

REFLECT ON THIS:

When Christ rules in our heart, our feet will walk His ways.

[JANUARY 5] Locked In

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-10

"I suffer trouble... even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained" --2 Timothy 2:9

Jean-Dominique Bauby’s memoir, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, describes his life after a massive stroke left him with a condition called “Locked-In Syndrome.” Although he was almost completely paralyzed, Bauby was able to write his book by blinking his left eyelid. An aide would recite a coded alphabet, until Bauby blinked to choose the letter of a word he was dictating. The book required about 200,000 blinks to write. Bauby used the only physical ability left him to communicate with others.

In 2 Timothy we read of Paul experiencing a different kind of “locked-in syndrome.” Under house arrest, the apostle learned that his execution might be imminent. With this in view, he told Timothy: “I suffer trouble... even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained” (2 Tim. 2:9). In spite of his isolation, Paul welcomed visitors, wrote letters of encouragement, and rejoiced at the spread of God’s Word.

For some of us, circumstances may have isolated us from others. Lying in a hospital bed, serving time in a prison, or being a shut-in can make us feel that we are experiencing our own “locked-in syndrome.” If this is true for you, why not prayerfully reflect on some ways you can still reach out to others. --Dennis Fisher

Give me to serve in humble sphere,

I ask not aught beside!

Content to fill a little place,

If God be glorified. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

No deed is too small when done for Christ.