DESPERATE WOMAN SEEKS GIFT

[brandnewday]

JUST BELIEVE -

"Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am
going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even
if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5

One of my local television stations recently aired the movie "Polar
Express." I remember reading that book to my children many years
ago. At the time, I thought it was a wonderful story of holding onto
childhood dreams. Now I see it differently. It is the story of
believing even when those around us do not.

At the beginning of the story, the boy is listening intently for the
ringing bells of Santa's sleigh - a sound he has been told he will
never hear. Just as the boy lay quietly in his bed, so are we still
before our Savior, listening for the promise of hope found in His
word - a promise many tell us we will never be able to hear.

The boy did not hear the sound of the bell. Instead he heard the
clank and rattle of a steam engine. This wasn't what he expected at
all. Sometimes we hear unexpected "sounds" that leave us wondering
and doubting and maybe even fearful. But our heart tells us to trust
and so we go to investigate. The conductor yells, "All aboard" and
we climb on the Marriage Restoration Express because something and
someone has softened and changed our hearts. We mount those steps
with trepidation but also with hope, and Jesus comes in to sit beside
us. Once we get on board, we find other standers who have taken that
leap of faith - who have listened to what God was quietly whispering
to their hearts - and have boarded the train to marriage restoration.

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Matthew 21:22

In the book, the Polar Express travels through some very strange
territory. Some of it is frightening, some of it is extraordinary,
some of it is beautiful, and the boy takes it all in with wonder and
awe. But it's all new territory and new landscape for the boy. When
we climb aboard our train, it often takes us through scary and
strange territory; new landscapes and new wonders and a new way of
being. But it also takes us through some beautiful places - times
and places in our lives when we are so filled with the love of Christ
that we kneel in wonder and awe. Times and places where the things
of this world cannot touch us.

As the journey continues through plains and hills and mountains, the
boy finally spies lights in the distance. Jesus is this light for
us - directing us, guiding us, calling us to our destination. When
we get to the place He has sent us, He asks, "Do you believe?" The
boy was chosen from among all the other children to receive the first
gift of Christmas, because he believed. We, too, are chosen from
among all God's children for a very special gift - to stand in the
gap for those we love; to serve as that angel as mediator at their
side.

The boy in the book asked for a bell from Santa's sleigh - a bell
that symbolized for him all the hopes and dreams of his childhood.
What he wanted more than anything was one silver bell from Santa's
sleigh - a bell that would help him continue to believe even in the
midst of impossible circumstances; even as he returned to his home
and lived among those who did not believe. Santa smiled at the
boy's request because he knew this was the heart of a believer.

God looks upon the hearts of standers and smiles. He knows that we
have chosen to trust in Him for our marriage restoration and the
salvation of those we love. His heart is gladdened by our prayers,
softened by our pleas, and hurt by our tears.

"From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his
dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the
hearts of all, who considers everything they do." Psalm 33:13-15

Just as the boy received his one special gift from Santa, so we, too,
receive a special gift from Jesus. As we reach for that thing that
we most desire, He gives us a peace and a joy that no circumstance
can explain. He fills our hearts with His love and His grace. He
provides for us, sometimes supernaturally. He holds us in his
comforting arms and hides us under the shadow of His wings.

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and
hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save
by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your
wings." Psalm 17:6-8

When the boy returned home, he found that he had lost his special
bell and he thought that he would never find it again. But there it
was the next morning, under the Christmas tree, just waiting to be
opened. Sometimes we lose our own bell of belief and trust, but it
is always there for us, waiting in His Word, waiting for us to open
it once again, to believe once again.

The boy's parents could not hear the bell and thought that it was
broken. But the boy believed and so he heard the sweet sound of the
silver bell from Santa's sleigh. It is our belief and trust in Jesus
that allows us to hear the sweet sound of His promises. The hope
found in His Word and the grace He showers on us allow us to hear the
bell, even if those around us don't.

For a good part of his childhood, the boy, his sister and many of his
friends could hear the bell. But as they all grew older, one by one,
it fell silent to them. Only the boy could still hear the bell.
Only the boy still believed.

My prayer is that each of you can still hear the bell. Be still
before God and listen intently for His loving refrain. We may live
among those who cannot or will not hear it, but for us, it is still
the sweetest sound - the whisper of God's promises.

"Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be
afraid; just believe." Mark 5:36