God’s immanence – Luke 21:25-36

Series: Series: Christmas week reflection 2015 – Part 1

In the midst of the storm God’s people know God is near.

As Christmas day comes we stand and watch.  During advent and Christmas, we so often forget that God is with us and is coming.  When we look over our life or the world, the brokenness is everywhere.  The nations seem like they are in an uproar and let’s face it, for some this season your life or community or family seems in an uproar.  Your heart has become weighted down by the anxieties of life (v. 34).

In Luke 21:25-36 Jesus speaks about a great storm coming.  It comes fast, and for some unexpected.  In the passage, we find a framework or mindset for followers of Jesus as we journey in this life.

1. When the storm says you are alone, God is near (v. 25-28)

When all those around you are in anguish and are perplex at the storm around, Jesus followers know that He is near.  Yes, the passage is speaking of circumstances around the seconded coming, but it is a reminder that God has not left us.

2. In the storm, God’s people look for Jesus (V. 28)

Our watching and waiting is active and intentional.  We need to stay awake. Sometimes in life we fall asleep to the presence and coming of Jesus in our lives.  The dozing times are when we get distracted, or our focus turns inward to the crises and concerns of our life and we lose sight of the bigger picture of who God is.

3.  Life may have storms, but Jesus followers put their trust in Jesus.

Sadness and storms can colour everything in our life.  In the midst of the storm, some will struggle and “do not trust- at a deeply emotional level- that God really is good.  We do not trust- with our heart as much as our head- that God really loves us.  We do not trust- with our gut-that God has a purpose for his world, for our children, for us.  We doubt that every story participates in God’s grand purposes and that his interest in everyone’s story is good, loving and meaningful.”[1]

The lack of trust stops us from living in the joy of the present and we miss seeing God.

The good news of the gospel is that though the world is broken and filled with pain,  though I am wounded and sinful, the good news is that God places me, you, we, at the center of his love and purpose. The good news is, no matter what our storm looks like, God has not left us.  He is coming, he is here.

In the midst of the storm God’s people know God is near.

—————-

[1] http://mattdabbs.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/meetinggodattheshack-hicks.pdf

Christmas Week Reflection 2015

Christmas week devotional starts next week. Over the Christmas week, the regular 2-3 posts a week is going to be paused.

Instead, I will offer daily reflections from December 21- 26.

 

 

[sh_btn link=”http://www.matthewlaker.com/christmas2015″ target=”_blank” shape=”square” style=”dimension” size=”small” color=”#DD4040″ bordercolor=”#DD4040″ bordersize=”0″ fontcolor=”rgb(251, 242, 242)” enablehover=”enable” enableicon=”disable” iconbg=”flat” iconset=”fontawesome” iconfa=” fa fa-glass”]Sign up here for Christmas Week Devotionals[/sh_btn]

 

Here is what you need to know:

  • To receive the Christmas week reflections, you must sign up here or below.
  • The regular posting schedule is on hold.
  • After Christmas, the 2-3 post a week schedule will come back.

The Christmas devotionals will reflect on four topics:

Dec. 21- God’s immanence – Luke 21:25-36

Dec. 22 – God’s guidance – Luke 1:69-79

Dec 23 – God’s provision – Isaiah 12:1-6

Dec. 24 – God’s Arrival – Micah 5:2-5a

Dec. 25 – Christmas day reflection and prayer

Dec. 26 – The day after the celebration

The good news is, no matter what our storm looks like, God has not left us. He is coming; he is here. During the Christmas week take intentional time to pause and seek Jesus. When you do that you will enter, engage, and experience the life you were created for (John 10:10).

 

Series: Christmas week reflection 2015