Clinging

 

 

      Through a series of assorted and unimportant circumstances, the past few days have become a time of purging: jewelry from drawers, long forgotten items from closets. Just now I pulled out a beautiful long, fur-collared coat and its matching hat and gloves, and I began to weep. It wasn't the coat itself; it was the memory of special times I wore it, feeling elegant and joyful, full of life. The collar is now crushed, the fabric pilled, and the hat misshapen. Yet I find it difficult to let go of that coat, just like I find it difficult to release my desires to "live fully," enjoying earthly pleasures to the utmost. "Why," I ask myself, "when you are promised so much more when the things of this learth are passed away?" 

      In Bible study last night Pastor Kent reminded us that we struggle now with fleshly desires-- it is the human condition since Adam and Eve-- even though God has promised us that as soon as we give our lives and hearts to His Son Jesus we are no longer threatened by death. Jesus said, "Because I live, you also will live."  (John 14:19b NIV) Interestingly enough, I awoke this morning from a dream which left me smiling. I was in a tiny house that had just been given to me. It was old and a little bit dusty, but it was perfect in its simplicity. Everything in it made me so happy: several antique stoves (Cooking is my love language.), an old bed, and an old faded blue hooked rug like one I once had in a time and place where I was very happy. I woke up thinking, "If my mansion in heaven is just like that, I will be perfectly content!" Just remembering it now has erased my tears and brought back my smile!

      Months ago God gave me a picture which I've pondered from time to time, but now I think I understand it. I had asked Him to give me a vision of assurance that He is with me. Pastor Kent had preached an amazing series of messages on our Strong Tower ("For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." Psalm 61:3 KJV), but the image I saw was a wooden stockade. I briefly researched the meaning of the word and found that  historically a stockade could be either a prison or a fortress. I could see both in my life. I've often felt a prisoner of my circumstances, but I began to think about the stockade as a fortress, protecting me from the dangers of the outside world.

       I look now at that tiny green frog in the photo above, clinging to the strong logs of our house, and I determine to use him as a reminder to keep clinging to my Fortress, my Savior, instead of the corruptible things of this world! 

     "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 

      And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

      And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

      And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

      And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." 

(Revelation 21:1-5 KJV)

"He must increase and I must decrease."

John 3:30

 ✝️

  

The Fragrance of Church

   

      I have an unusual gift: a SUPER-sensitive nose. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as you can imagine. A few nights ago, as I went to bed, windows gloriously open to let in the crisp autumn air, apparently a skunk decided to spray just outside my window-- NOT a delicious perfume, as it made my nose burn and my eyes water! 

      Most of the time, though, I appreciate my gift. Often, like Proust, a certain smell can transport me to a time or place of wonderful memories. The fragrance of roses always brings back sweet thoughts of my dear mother, who for years wore Tea Rose perfume every day. Maybe a little strangely, a hint of diesel fumes transports me to various cities in Europe, where I've made special memories over the years, while the essence of pine trees brings happy thoughts of my beloved lake and so many occasions I hold dear. 

      But there's one scent that takes me to a place apart from the world. It's the fragrance of church. Ours is nearly 200 years old, so I suppose the old wood is a little bit musty, but it's far from offensive to me. I attended Wednesday night Bible study in person this past week. It was the first time in a very long time I haven't "attended" on Facebook. As I entered I inhaled the familiar yet unique smell. All at once I felt at home, like revisiting the place you grew up or where your grandparents lived when you were a child, a place filled with nothing but loving memories.   

   

      As I settled into a pew, I felt a peace and security I find nowhere else. And my heart began to realize this feeling of comfort had nothing to do with the building or the pews, even the organ or the pulpit. It was the knowledge that I was surrounded by the prayers of the people who have worshipped in this place for nearly two centuries; the voices and instruments lifted in praise through the years; the Words of Truth proclaimed from the pulpit, read in the pews, studied in the Sunday School classes, and then carried out through creaky doors into pavement and forest and field, school and home and businesses who knows how far and wide. 

 

      Some may say, "But I don't go to church-- I can worship just fine in the woods, by the lake, or even in my home." Oh yes, I hope we all worship in all those places! Throughout my life I have experienced church meetings in a home, in an open-air shelter, in an ornate cathedral, even an office building or a restaurant. But the common thread in those experiences is the people of God gathering to be led by the power of the Holy Spirit. My friend, church is not a place, it's a gathering of God's people, and God created His Church for a purpose. He's been a God of relationship before the creation of the world, because He Himself is One in three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He created us for fellowship with Him and with each other. He intended for us to unite in groups small or large to worship Him and study His Word, pray together, encourage one another, and share one another's burdens! He tells us in His Word: 

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV, emphasis mine)

      In a recent sermon I listened to I was reminded of this compelling Scripture:

"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God." (2 Corinthians 2:15a NIV) 

      I am both challenged and comforted by this verse. I wonder if I am living up to the challenge? On the other hand, what a thrilling thought that my life can be to God the fragrance of His Only Son, Jesus! I can say from my own experience of being physically unable to attend church regularly for more than 5 years, there is something almost undefinable about the fellowship of believers. I can only pray that each time I AM able to gather with God's people, I carry His fragrance with me wherever I go. One of my favorite devotions puts it this way:

" Dear Lord, abide with us that we 

May draw our perfume fresh from Thee." 

("Streams in the Desert" by Mrs. Charles Cowman.) 

"He must increase and I must decrease."

John 3:30

 ✝️