Hunger and wholeness

Today: Isaiah 9-12

It's an absolutely beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest! Yesterday had some dark and rainy moments--but today, the sun has been shining and it's about 78 degrees! When the sun comes out in the Northwest, people genuinely appreciate it. Parks that were empty yesterday now resemble Abercrombie & Fitch ads. Pale people are taking off their shirts and long pants--it ain't always pretty, but they're soaking up the sun while they can. :)

I ventured out to a farmer's market this morning with some friends. Several of my friends brought their young children. I think these moms (both military wives with husbands currently serving somewhere else) deserve medals. Kids are SO, SO cute, but they all have their moments. A few of those moments happened just before lunchtime when the youngest of the crew started screaming at the top of her lungs in the middle of the market. When kids are hungry, they let the world know--and they are not happy until they're satisfied.

At least hungry babies and toddlers can be satisfied with a little bit of food. But have you ever met adults whose souls are hungry--and can't find anything to fill them? Today's passage described them well:

Appetites insatiable,

stuffing and gorging themselves left and right with people and things.

But still they starved.

That seems very sad to me. I've met people who are hungry on the inside and try to fill their lives with a romantic relationship, alcohol, friends, food, material things, sports...you name it. Each of those people and things are not evil (when enjoyed in moderation), but none of them can really satisfy a hungry soul.

That's why I love that this passage provides an answer--it includes some prophetic text about Jesus (if it sounds a little like "A Charlie Brown Christmas," it's because similar verses were repeated in the New Testament when Jesus was born):

For a child has been born—for us!

the gift of a son—for us!

He'll take over the running of the world.

His names will be:

Amazing Counselor,

Strong God,

Eternal Father,

Prince of Wholeness.

His ruling authority will grow,

and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.

He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom.

He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing

and keep it going.

With fair dealing and right living,

beginning now and lasting always.

The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.

This whole prophesy is amazing, but the idea of Jesus as a "Prince of Wholeness" or "Prince of Peace" is incredibly powerful--especially for people who have insatiable emptiness in their souls. God is enough to fill that emptiness. He brings peace and restoration. When other things and people fail, He heals and satisfies.

Tomorrow: Isaiah 13-17

The perfect getaway

Today: Psalm 26-31

I have a serious bug. You may think it's still the flu (which I had earlier this week--not fun!). But I've had this bug for much longer than that. I have a travel bug.

I haven't traveled to very many places...yet. But I definitely have a mental and literal list going of the countries and cities and shops and museums I'd like to visit. For Christmas, my best friend bought me a subscription to a travel magazine. Every single issue is filled with beautiful pictures of fabulous getaways. And my lists are getting longer every single time I read it.

In today's passage, David wrote about his perfect getaway.

Light, space, zest— that's God!

So, with him on my side I'm fearless,

afraid of no one and nothing...

When besieged,

I'm calm as a baby.

When all hell breaks loose,

I'm collected and cool.

I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing:

To live with him in his house my whole life long.

I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.

That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world,

The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.

I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!

Already I'm singing God-songs;

I'm making music to God...

Stay with God!

Take heart.

Don't quit.

I'll say it again:

Stay with God.

David's perfect getaway was simply a place where he could find God's presence. Talk about a budget vacation! In David's day, that place was usually the Tabernacle (or a Tent of Meeting)--in other words, church. But God's presence has never been confined to a building. You and I can find "the perfect getaway" with a laptop on our living room couches (that's where I'm at now!), a park, a coffee shop, a conference room or a beach in the middle of Hawaii.

The perfect getaway is a place we can go to spend time with God and to worship Him. Wherever that place is, because you're with God, you can walk away feeling like David felt--light, restored, peaceful, energized and strengthened. The experience of prayer, worship and hearing/reading God's Word changes you for the better. Who wouldn't want that? And if that experience could happen on top of the Eiffel Tower, even better!

Tomorrow: Psalm 32-35