PREPARE FOR GLORY

I am sitting here staring at a poster on my wall.  This particular poster is from one of my favorite films, 300.  It amuses me to find the title for this entry on a film poster, but who am I to judge?  Like I can really choose when inspiration strikes?  The slogan smeared, literally,  across the poster reads "Prepare For Glory," and I would be foolish to not make the connection.

A wise girl named Sally mentioned to me that we are not citizens of this world, we are merely visitors waiting for the arrival of the glory in which we are all purposefully and wonderfully made.

What do our lives amount to, if not for this purpose?  We are here to prepare for the coming and imminent glory--to prepare ourselves and to prepare others for the glory that is advancing quickly.

*

The very first step of wisdom is to seek more wisdom.  For us Christians, we cannot ever be satisfied with what we little we know.  God is full of wisdom, and gives it freely.  All we need is to ask.  Living a life prepared for glory is more than just reminding ourselves of what is to come, but of seriously taking actions in our lives to prepare our hearts, and to beg God to let us take part in bringing his kingdom to this place.  God has no need of us, but by his love this glory is immanent.  So keep your eye's fixed towards the heaven and remind yourself that every breath is another breath permitted by God, and worthy of celebration and reverence.

The wise one prepares with passionate humility to the sovereignty of God and our freedom from the poison of man... the foolish wisdom of beings who elevate themselves on ignorance.  Sharpen your minds.  Seek Christ, and in him you will find wisdom and knowledge.  Seek justice for the poor, the meek, the widowed, the orphaned, the sick, and the imprisoned.  Explore the world.  Dream, Seek, Discover.  Advocate.  Stand up.  Love others boldly and without fear.  Find courage in future joys.  Dwell not in the past of things, but in the things that are surely coming soon.  Be mighty and triumphant, yet gentle and loving.

Let every man search his own heart, and if inside he finds that insatiable desire to follow the creator, let him boldly approach the throne.  Come! and find the true glory that is near, just barely over the horizon.  The entire world aches in growing pains, and the time is almost here.  There is everlasting, and it will be glorious.

*Read Col.2 and 3.  I read these chapters before writing and found myself very inspired.

IN THE SECRET PLACE

In my secret place, I take refuge from all that this world holds so dear with their foolish hands.  I take time to rest my weary mind and these tired eyes, and just bathe my soul in the quiet waters of God's presence.  My secret place isn't so secret, and while I'd like to keep it all to myself, the truth is that all who are weary can go there, and go there anytime they'd like.

It summertime.  This season always seems to capture my heart and my imagination unlike any other quarter of the year.  It is a time of celebration, a time of being outside in God's creation, and a time of late night revelations.  When the summer comes I know that there are great things in store, and with an ample grin I find every inch of me jump with the excitement of the impending joys.  Here comes dreams, here comes hopes, and here comes all that we've all been waiting for.  Summer to me is a theme, an anthem.  A reminder that there is birth and there is death, but throughout the process there is beauty in front and behind every corner.

We humans need beauty.  Beauty is the reflection of God's power taking place.  God created this world to showcase his beauty, and all around us we see the intricacy and craftsmanship of the being who finds the greatest delight in his children's wonder and awe.  When we see beauty--there is wonder; there is awe.  In my secret place, I find the beauty of hallelujah.

Too many days have passed without action, too many minutes have been wasted idly, and too many seconds haven't seen their proper adventure.  For me, the summertime is always a fresh breath of life, a new chapter and a new time to remind myself of who and what I live for.  There is so much in this world worth saving, and so little time to do it.

My Lord:  Bless me with wisdom.  Make me a lover of justice.  Show me true freedom.  Give me a love like yours.  Make me a man after your heart who serves and blesses.  Bless me with words--a tool to build your kingdom.  Give me peace, and bless me deeply.  Show me who you are, that I might follow you closely.  In my secret place, and in the world, let my words be a bright light to guide the lost and the weary.