It's a brand new year! I've read so many blog entries about
"to be or not to be" a resolution maker. So this entry will not be about resolutions, but about what I pray
takes place MORE in my life in the year 2015.
As I was
reading through the Christmas story this year something caught my attention
and caused me to ponder and look further. I was reading from all the
gospels the story of how God wrapped Himself in human flesh to dwell among us and came to the part about the wise men. They traveled far, following a
star, believing it was directing them to the King of the Jews. When they
found Him, in the place that the star directed, they
came into the house and saw the Child. This Child, the one that they had
been seeking, was with His mommy because He was only a toddling two year old or
younger. Scripture says when they saw
Him, they fell down and worshiped. Fell down! When one bows, falls
down, places themselves lower, it is because there is recognition of one who is greater, one who is in authority, one who deserves more attention and respect
than self.
The wise men didn't just fall down and worship, they left
something on the floor that day. They left their treasures of gold,
frankincense and myrrh. Falling down requires leaving something on the floor.
On the floor and at the feet of Jesus.
Over and over in scripture Jesus encountered those who were
broken, sin ridden, and self saturated. When they saw Him and recognized
Him, they fell down, they left something on the floor, and they were changed.
Recognition is the key isn't it? So many saw and heard but only a
few recognized.
The wise men fell down and left their earthly treasures on the
floor, their wealth, and their prized possessions. A leper came to Jesus, fell
down, and left his disease and the loneliness that the disease inflicted on the
floor. A demoniac came to Jesus, fell down and left his demons and
bondage on the floor. Jarius, a synagogue official, came and fell down
and left religious trappings on the floor. A woman with an issue of blood came
and fell down and left her affliction and exhaustion on the floor. Mary
of Bethany came and fell down three times and left on the floor what other's
thought, her own expectations, cultural norms, and what the world says is of worth.
The woman at the well fell down when she submitted and served a drink of
water to Jesus, she left her hiding, relational idols, and her identity on the
floor.
They recognized Him as King, Healer, and Sovereign. They saw
Him as the One who fills. They saw Him as the One who is worth leaving
worldly possessions, other's opinions and acceptance, and religious and
cultural norms for. Because they recognized Him it compelled them to come
and then to fall down. Do I? Do you?
Asking for eyes to see and recognize more of Him, for more
falling down, and for much more to be left on the floor in this coming year.
Happy 2015! I pray your year is filled with More of Him!
Still learning,
Kim
