Nougat 6

So often these days I feel like the little children in the movie ‘Are We There Yet?’ For it’s as though the enduring lasts forever and we (I) can’t seem to get to overcoming. I think my response has been such that it’s only Love that allows God the patience to deal with me. Now, don’t misunderstand me, I’m not always saying that. In fact, on deeper reflection, it comes after I’ve messed up, and I’m wondering why I’m not yet at the place where I think I need to be spiritually. Hmm I wonder if God’s considering the same thing, ‘Aren’t you done with this (behavior) yet?’ Not to worry, that’s why God’s Spirit is at work within us. Consider today’s Holy Nougat for example:

“For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Spirit Hope

Siblings, the prophet Zechariah was correct in sharing God’s Word to us, that it’s not our strength or expertise that moves mountains. Rather, mountains move when we yield to God’s Spirit (see Zechariah 4:6). The thing is, even then, it’s not always easy.

Look at Martha and Mary, for example. They sought healing grace when Lazarus was gravely ill.

He died

Four days later, when Hope would have dried up, Jesus not only appeared, but He also offered the healing, rather the resurrection needed. (See John 11)

And, let’s not forget that bleeding woman. She’d been filling doctors’ coffers for 12 years to no avail. Every faith healer, every apothecary – anybody who could take her shame and pain away was sought. But it was that final hopeful act : she touched the Holy One’s garment. It may have been desperation. But this was The correct Holy Man. Hope propelled action, and birthed Faith that was realized. It had nothing to do with her skills, and everything to do with her desperate hope.

The dispensation of Christ’s physical presence on earth is gone, but God has not left us as ones who have no Hope. That’s where God’s Spirit comes in the mix. For God’s Spirit bears witness to the Truth, God’s Truth. That the God Whose grace was present in the past, the God Who brought the Children of Israel out of bondage in time past; the God Who took on flesh for our sake, is the same God Who is with us today. And thus becomes yet again our Source of Hope for transformation.

And that’s not only for our life mountains. God’s Spirit is also intent on bringing us into the righteousness of God in Christ. Inasmuch as we have God’s Spirit making intercession on our behalf for life issues; we know that our spiritual journey is of greater importance. That’s what all this is about, moving forward from finite earthly life to eternity.

We hold firmly to the stories of our healing Jesus, to the testimonies of God’s Spirit at work in the lives of others. Then, aligning those with our own experience, we need not cry, ‘are we there yet?’ For we know that He’s not only gone to prepare our place in His Father’s House, but He also will return when the time comes. As Children of God, we can then focus on our faith manifested in Love, God’s Love.

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May all we seek be found in Christ