John 5:8-11 ASV  Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk.  (9)  And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now it was the sabbath on that day.  (10)  So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed.  (11)  But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

The voice of transformation will override the voice of legalism, and the resulting action may violate perceptions of what is acceptable.

My sister had recently completed a course to become an EMT for our local volunteer fire department. She had studied about all the correct procedures for administering emergency aid to those who had any physical adversity. Now, whenever the siren would go off during her scheduled time, she was supposed to drop anything else she might be doing and go immediately and apply her newfound skills to the needy. I had also just recently completed a course, but my qualifications had to do with operating a motor vehicle on public streets. I had studied about all the rules and regulations that were established so I could drive without bringing damage to myself, other drivers, or the vehicles we might be driving. I had passed the driver’s test with a perfect score indicating that I knew full well the restrictions associated with our local streets.

While all those speed and maneuvering laws were there for my preservation and were reasonably effective, they also were very restrictive on the young male need for speed. The leisurely pace required by the posted limit on our main thoroughfare did nothing to gratify or satisfy this need. A beautiful remedy for this that came to me, though, in the new requirement that my sister had of getting as quickly as possible to the emergency location. I had seen fire trucks and police cars racing down the streets at wonderful speeds and had come to understand the overriding power of those who had certain qualifications in the case of an emergency.  So, at the first opportunity, with the sounding of the siren, I responded to that higher calling and thoroughly enjoyed the exhilaration of violating those laws that had held me back in the name of what I saw to be an overriding law. Fortunately there was no harm done with my excessive application of my liberation, and even though I later realize I hadn’t been loosed from any and all consideration of safety, I did for those few fleeting moments experience the privilege of actions that previously been prohibited. I had been transformed from a normal everyday driver by the position and request of my sister. I now had authority to disregard rules that would restrict the operation of this greater need.

Perceptions of road signs and convictions of correct procedures are very much a part of becoming passionate about a holy and righteous Father God. Once a course is taken and an understanding gained with regard to the things of God, there is an accompanying compulsion to construct restrictions upon others with regard to whether or not their procedures are acceptable. Jesus came into a religious culture that was full of these road signs that seemed to be posted on every little passageway of life. He fully knew all the details of these laws, and yet He also realized that there was an overriding qualification brought on by the sounding of the emergency siren. The need for transformation in a life brought a transformation to His own position causing Him to know legitimate freedom from the constraints of man’s interpretations of law.

There are those in the world around us who have crashed and are in danger of eternal damnation. For their salvation and for the application of the gospel in their life, there is a need for someone willing to cast off the restraints of man’s constructed barriers and proceed with a pace that is more concerned about meeting their needs than whether or not all the laws are followed on the way to the accident scene. Rather than imprisoning and segregating those who’ve been called to carry the message when there is less than perceived perfection in their methods, a greater overriding transformation in the love of God will instead enable an embrace and a bonding of hearts. Though they were indeed right according to a single directive from the law, those who challenged Jesus on the Sabbath appear to have been incredibly wrong in the overall purpose of the Father. If it were true then, it could very well be true today. Rather than proudly embracing a spiritual discovery at the expense of relationship and spiritual unity, it might be that a higher voice of love transformation is needing to override the letter of the law. There are those desiring to rise and (unlawfully) take up their bed who are in need of our speed.

John 2:2 Jesus and his disciples were guests also.3 When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.”4 Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.”5 She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”

For the heart that is connected by more than just a name there is a commitment that goes far beyond just monitoring progress. This heart, in anticipation of emerging purpose, is proactive in helping that purpose along by words and other demonstrations of faith in the loved one. For Mary there must have been this incredible perception of how Jesus’ glory and true purpose were to become exposed for all to see. It was this same bonding of heart that would keep her at his side through the glory of the miracles, but also through the trial, torture and crucifixion that was all part of His ultimate purpose. It was as if she was almost in front of Him all along, believing, speaking and pulling Him forward. As much as He was the Son of God and empowered with the life of His Father, he was also human and directly impacted in His emotions by the rejection and betrayal of those He came to serve. Throughout the great emotional struggle that was a necessary part of fulfilling His destiny, there was a point of reference in the unwavering love and belief of His little mother that continually encouraged and amazingly pulled Him along, not only in performing His first miracle, but rising from the fall the cross imposed upon Him to continue to the place where He would offer Himself upon it. Her heart never wavered from a belief that continually propelled her to a position in front of her passion – speaking, encouraging, touching, and ever setting before Him a vision of hope and joyfully fulfilled purpose.

Born with a mission far greater than any other being that would ever breath, Jesus was also challenged in ways that would exceed any other experience of life. In order to fulfill this mission He was provided with an understanding of His identity and His relationship with His Father through the scriptures. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and anointed to preach, heal, and deliver. Possibly the most precious provision that enabled Him to complete His purpose, though, was the heart of the simple human being that never left Him from the moment the angel first spoke of His conception. Her place in His life was not just a nice little touch, but was an essential element that equipped the part of Him that was most human to press on to the ultimate glory. She probably didn’t know any of the details that would transpire as a result of her actions at the marriage or the cross, but in both, her role was neither unnoticed nor insignificant. Her heart believed through till the end with essential anticipation-motivated actions of love.

There are precious hearts we’ve been blessed with as much more than just acquaintances to casually observe. There is significant purpose in each of those hearts that requires identity and spirit empowered anointing, but there is also a great necessity in their purpose for the simple word or action of faith, encouragement and inspiration that will come from us. There is a glory to be revealed in each of them that is actually the continuation of Jesus’ purpose that Mary touched. In them will be the fulfillment of that joy that was set before Him as our hearts are disabled from purpose denying discouragement to destiny empowering faith actions that unrelentingly anticipate and lovingly pull along to exposure of that glory that is already theirs in Christ. They can and they will. This is our purpose.

4 To whom you come, as to a living stone, not honoured by men, but of great and special value to God; 5 You, as living stones, are being made into a house of the spirit, a holy order of priests, making those offerings of the spirit which are pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-5 (BBE)

Several years ago my brother and I spent a couple months in Europe, riding the train and seeing as many sites as possible. A great part of the European experience is the many churches, most of which were constructed hundreds of years ago. They are really great works of art and architecture. It was so amazing to walk through them and realize the inspiration, resources, and extreme effort that went into construction of a structure, the purpose of which was to worship and glorify God.

Most of the churches we visited had been completed long ago, and there was one partially damaged church in the middle of Berlin that remained as a memorial to the devastation of the Second World War. There was one church, however, in Barcelona, Spain that was and is still under construction. It is a massive stone structure designed by a famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, and while ground was broke for its construction in 1882, it is still incomplete. I remember walking through it in areas that were still without a roof and noticing stones that had apparently been cut, numbered, and placed into specific piles in the vicinity of where they would be used. It was so different to see this stage of such an amazing structure and realize that each one of those stones, while seemingly insignificant and without purpose on the floor, would some day be an integral part of a completed work of art. When finally placed in the exact spot for which it was designed and hewn, it would take on incredible significance and worth.

I can’t help but think about that scene in relationship to the ongoing construction of the house the great Creator began so very long ago in Christ. It was designed to the smallest detail of each stone and the placement that would bring it ever closer to the completed work. While the overall form has risen high as a demonstration of the glory of God, there is yet a need for each stone that has yet to find its place. Though the plans are impeccable and each dimension is precise in its crafted form, each unique stone will never find its life and its true purpose until it becomes a part of the growing structure. There are many rooms in the house that might not have a roof, that might not have walls, that might not have steps, and are just awaiting the placement of the many connected parts that will bring function and purpose to the living structure. For that to happen there will have to be a loss of isolation and a giving up of the individuality the spot on the floor provides, to become connected and identified with a much greater purpose.

Jesus was the first stone to leave His individual identity to be connected with a greater purpose. He could have remained off to Himself in heaven in His beauty and perfection, but He chose to lose His separated self to become connected with each of us in a structure of even greater significance. How great it is when each of us follows His example and submits to the hands of our craftsman to be placed in His living structure, His body, and His temple. How much greater the value and purpose of the stone that is finally in the specific place for which it was designed so long ago.

Mark 14:1 Now after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him: 2 for they said, Not during the feast, lest haply there shall be a tumult of the people. 3 And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure nard very costly; and she brake the cruse, and poured it over his head. (ASV)

Quite often in story telling there is more than one scene going on at the same time. How these separate plots interweave, come together, and affect each other becomes the beauty of the overview. In the movies they often switch back and forth between locations and even periods of time to show how varied events affect each other and produce an interesting and engaging story.

As this passage from Mark starts off, there is the scene of the priests’ and scribes’ plotting to capture Jesus. They think they are being clever and strategic as they consider how it can be done without causing a big tumult among the people. It’s like their perspective is one-sided, that they are driven only by how their actions are going to rid them of a great hindrance to their way of life. They apparently considered their actions to be self-motivated and unknown to Jesus himself.

It’s interesting that immediately from that short clip is a switch to another scene- one that might otherwise be disconnected and moving in a different direction. In actuality, though, what was taking place in the first scene was directly affecting the second as the preparations of his enemies prompted reciprocal preparations in Jesus and his disciples. Jesus was being entertained and honored with an expensive offering of oil. Some considered this to be a waste of potential ministry resources, but it was actually being used in preparation of the greatest ministry resource in Jesus himself. The misperception of its preparation purpose, though, seemed to also have a direct influence on Judas’ departure to betray Jesus, as emotions prompted actions that would cause the two scenes to intersect in the garden and ultimately at the tomb.

From our life perspective it would often seem that there is just our circumstance, our story line and our direction. In actuality, though, enemies are plotting our demise, with a purpose of our destruction and disabled purpose. For every plan, though, and for every preparation in the camp of the enemy, there is a reciprocal preparation in the life of the anointed children of the kingdom. Every weapon being formed and every scheme devised is already being dealt with in our lives as we are given to worship of the King. Everything that the enemy is planning for evil is being made to be a direct part of God’s plan for victory and triumph. The priests and scribes thought they were inflicting damage, but their actions were actually being used by God for a purpose that would make the evil plotting seem foolish as it played into God’s purpose. The evil plots became a direct part of a righteous overview.

In our lives today is the playing of a part that is propelling us towards a triumph that is far greater than any little plot that might be painted as a failure or loss in this life. Even when there is an apparent waste and giving up of what might be seen as a life’s purpose, when placed in the hand of the Master it becomes preparation for a kingdom purpose that is significant in directing our steps to intersect with His higher plots in eternal and overwhelming triumph.

Prov 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

“Man lifts car to rescue child trapped beneath it.”

“Young woman injured while pushing old lady from the path of a bus.”

“Soldier throws himself over live grenade to preserve the lives of many surrounding comrades.”

“House wife shows the love of God to needy family and leads them to eternal life in Christ.”

For the person who has really come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, there is an incredible awareness that He is who and what He said He is- the way, the truth, and the life, that no one can come to the Father but by Him, and there is salvation in no other. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) To know this salvation personally, however, is to become increasingly aware that those without Him aren’t just missing out on a good option, they are without life at all and are destined for eternal damnation.

In this understanding there is an adjustment of life’s priorities, where actions that produce salvation are moved above selfish pursuits. Being made right in Him begins to produce His fruit in a life that is transformed from selfish motives to love ones, where personal concerns are lost in the passion for saving another. This fruit is evidenced in the amazing examples given where people gain incredible selfless strength and courage to save someone else who is in peril. Lost in this love is not only the concern about personal needs, but there is also complete disregard of how saving actions might offend the one being saved. The greater the peril, the greater is the focus fixed on securing life, no matter what minor injuries might be incurred.

At the moment of emergency, though, it isn’t just an awareness of another’s danger that makes a difference, but the action taken to rescue them. It’s not just enough to become well versed in the magnitude of the impending doom, but there must be an immediate action taken in order to deliver the endangered one. Understanding alone produces no life, and attempting tolerance with sensitivity to the ‘feelings’ of the imperiled produces no life whatsoever. It is only the action of selfless love that makes use of whatever means necessary and available to save.

The world around us in on a path to certain destruction. It is evidenced in wars, the economy, addictions, moral degradation and natural disasters. Many are consumed with attempting to ‘care’ for those in the path of this peril, but, while natural and physical needs are emphasized with a focus on personal choice, there is a great deal of reticence to directly deal with the greatest peril of all. Concern for personal reputation and not wanting to ‘offend’ the imperiled cause many to compromise the only means of true salvation- the gospel of Jesus Christ. The very action that is necessary to sweep them from the path of the speeding train, lift the crushing load, and cover the explosions of life is letting them know that there is salvation in none other than Jesus. No matter what their political, religious, philosophical, or personal beliefs, they will perish if they refuse to accept the offer of life in Him. While this message can certainly be given with love and understanding, if it is compromised in the least, they will perish. To really believe this message of salvation and to really live it is to know that it can’t be kept as a private, personal persuasion. There is no personal salvation, because as soon as it becomes personal, it becomes the means by which another can also know eternal life. It must be told and its fruit will produce the wisdom of life.

James 5:19 My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

Luke 9:62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the
plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

I’m definitely not a farmer myself, but I did grow up in a part of the country where corn, sugar beets, and wheat covered a great deal of the countryside. And, I did get to work on some of the farms, driving tractor. While it was quite fascinating to watch the machinery work the ground, and though it was necessary to make certain that it was operating correctly from time to time, it was most important that the great majority of the focus be given to where the tractor was going rather than where it had been. Keeping the wheels headed straight down the rows really wasn’t all that difficult to maintain, but if for a second the front wheels were allowed to stray from the true straight line crossing the field, it would create a swerve in the rows that was unacceptable to any legitimate farmer. The days might get long, hot, and dusty, but the attention had to be kept on where the tractor was headed at all times, even during the occasional backward glance. Everything about where you’d been with that tractor would be clearly seen by anyone who might later drive by the field, and where you were looking while driving would be the greatest determining factor as to whether or not you created a success or a mess.

The end of the year is the usual time for retrospect, when experiences of the past year are acknowledged. There is power in this backward glance to maintain an assurance of operability and use those remembered moments for adjustments and lessons learned. However, there is also power in that backward glance if too extended to get completely off course and create an unacceptable past. There is one other power of the past, though, that has been provided for us in Christ, when the future is given significance and hope by the past we’ve been given in Him. Everything we’ve gone through, both good and bad, when taken to the cross can be part of His working all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28)

There is a significant work for each of us in the kingdom of God, all of which requires a forward focus, with only a backward glance that keeps things in the perspective of the cross. Victory, forgiveness, and especially the overcoming power of love are the lessons to be learned there, resulting in a heightened lively hope of a productive and gratifying life in Him.

Luke 1:18-20
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Luke 1: 38
38 And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

If anyone had reason to raise the legitimate question of ‘how?’ it could be Zacharias. His wife was past the age of child bearing and he himself was too old to give her a child. Yet, there was a huge significance in his response and its contrast to how Mary responded in a similar angel-encounter. With the priest, the raised question gave immediate reason for his powers of communication to be disabled altogether as long as there was the possibility of anything other than worship to proceed from his mouth. For every moment that doubt or question occupied his lips there was the great possibility the very purpose of God would be hindered by his words. Mary, on the other hand, could have also come up with a list of questions, but before a single objection was a raised, she responded with acceptance and an offering of her own life as an obedient vessel for God’s purpose.

Between the two of them you might choose Zacharias as the probable candidate for a faith response if it required maturity, education, experience and wisdom. Mary, though, probably much less established in the rituals of her religion, was yet more impressed with her God and His ability to do exactly what He declared however improbable that might be. The immediacy of their responses spoke much more about the depth of their heart relationship with their God and it’s importance far above the elevation of mental understanding. Because of Mary’s heart response of immediate acceptance and worship, her place in history was enabled as the mother of the Messiah, while the priest’s response removed him from participation in those special nine months leading to the birth of his son.

Questions may exist and wonder may be strong and prevalent, but there is ever an appropriate response for the one who has entered relationship with the Almighty that elevates that treasured relationship far above any impossibility. Such power resides in the first response to either enable participation in His purpose or complete dumbness and disqualification from involvement in His pursuits. For progress to be made towards His vision and His design there is no place in the least for anything other than words of worship that make the significance of His declaration to be the only consideration. There is a presentation in this day of God’s promise, His declaration and His determination regarding the significant purpose He’s designed for our lives. First response is so important and filling the mouth with exaltations of Him and His greatness will cause the doubts and questions to be squelched and removed from their disabling power. “Be it unto me according to Your Word” will have much greater reward and fulfillment than the forming of any questions or words to the contrary. In God’s realm only the voice of worship will be empowered to speak.

Eph 4:29
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Philippians 1:6 KJV
(6)  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

One of the greatest challenges in relationships, whether it be in the home or the workplace is when a request is made for something specific to be done and this request is not performed. It was requested that the dishes be rinsed off and put in the dishwasher, but 4 hours later they were still perched in the sink with their debris intact. A particular task was to have been completed and reported on by noon, but nothing was heard from that person at the end of the day. An appointment was made for a business meeting during lunch, but 30 minutes past the scheduled time, the other party still hasn’t shown up.

While there are still some reliable, dependable individuals to be found, there is a natural tendency developed over a life of interaction with people to assume that if something isn’t obviously taking place right away then nothing is being accomplished and there is no performance of what was expected. Disappointment and frustration set in along with a fracture, however small it may be, in the relationship with that person who failed to perform. From that point on, they can no longer be depended upon and expectations for future performance must be diminished.

This developed tendency to assume a failure to perform is something that will be lost in a true relationship with our Father God. Though periods of time may pass when activity appears to have ceased, there can be a continual assurance that He has never discontinued the project He’s begun in us. He will never fail to show up, He’ll never fail to clean things up, and His commitment to completion is as solid and dependable as the sun’s rising. With Him there is an ever-increasing level of confidence and hopefulness rather than disappointment and second guessing. Completing what He’s begun in us will never be lowered in His priorities. It will never grind to a halt due to difficulty or struggle we may have. It is not directly connected to our performance, but it is, however, specifically connected to our choice to give Him access and be in Christ along with all this means for His progressive work in us.

Today, right here and right now, the great God of creation is performing in us all that we will allow. How great our confidence should be in His presence this day.

Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
(13)  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
(14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Milestone syndrome: getting too consumed with accomplishments and achievements and weariness to press on.

Though I didn’t actually grow up in the mountains of Colorado, my parents did, so we frequently got to visit our grandparents in Buena Vista, right next to the continental divide. (Alas, I still don’t live in the mountains of Colorado, but my parents have built a beautiful home just over the pass from their home town to which we now go as frequently as possible.) My Dad, having grown up tramping all over the mountainside, either fishing or in pursuit of Elk or some other game, was quite developed in his physical ability to climb, while also possessing some critical wisdom and understanding about the best way to finally make it to the top. From an early age I was taken along with Him on some of these adventures that for me were much about just trying to keep up with him and somehow make it to wherever he had set as a goal. Though it was incredibly beautiful with clear mountain air and drinks from clear cold streams, after awhile my greatest focus would be upon that next rise in the trail, hoping that it would be the last. There would be several times along the trail that we might take a break for a few moments, but there was something Dad would not let me do at any of those intermediary arrivals- sit down. I imagine there could be several reasons for standing through those times, but for me I can remember that it kept my legs from cooling down too much, but it also kept me from even thinking about giving up and allowing this temporary achievement to be the end of the trail. There was something so much more significant to which we were pressing and no matter the view from that spot and no matter how far we had already climbed we were about something much higher and he wouldn’t allow our bodies or our minds to let half way be enough. Of all my complaining and of all the hikes we went on, some of which were several miles, I don’t recall us ever failing to reach our intended destination. We never sat down, never rested too long at any point along the way, and were never satisfied until the peak was reached.

There will most certainly be things we apprehend along the way, and there will definitely be noteworthy achievements that mark our path, but as long as we’re trekking this earth we will never have reason to sit down and let half way be enough. After a particularly difficult section of the trail with a slippery, steep grade it may be quite tempting to let weariness dictate and resolution set in, but when the heart is beating the fastest and air is being sucked the most there will be a need to keep standing with an eye ever on the final goal. Getting stopped anywhere along the way or letting anything on this earth become the arrival, destination or goal will inhibit any progress towards the real destination of purpose in Christ. The only significance of any milestone in life will be that it is a place to stand as we get set to press on again over the next rise and through the next meadow or ravine. I’m thankful that while we remain at our Father’s side He will keep us from sitting, ever encouraging us about what lies ahead, and as long as we’re following Him, there will be no doubt about arriving; it will ever be before us as a surety and hope.

Matthew 4:13-16 KJV
(13)  And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
(14)  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
(15)  The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
(16)  The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

I recently heard someone giving a passionate description of a baseball that had been signed for them by a professional player they considered to be the best ever. Not only did this baseball have the name of the player, but it also had a small note that included this person’s name. Some of the letters of their names were the same, and this was described as so special that right there on that baseball was a similarity between the two. What was particularly most impacting, though, was that, for one moment in time, this famous person had actually thought of him. He seemed to be somewhat overwhelmed by the concept that he could really have been in the thoughts of this idolized famous athlete.

While reading Matthew’s account of this, another fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus’ life, it occurred to me just how special these people from Zabulon were. Long ago the most famous person ever actually had them in His thoughts as He inspired His prophet to write a short note about them. Then, the fulfillment of this prophecy would be the presence of His flesh and blood, His very own son. More than an afterthought or just a spontaneous reaction to circumstances, it was so much in His thoughts that He had planned for and put it into motion long ago. In this note was also much more than a similarity of letters; there was a connection of hearts in a commitment that was so sure and established in its original declaration it was already in the past tense. There is an incredible sense that for these people living in obscure place in the world where very of the masses would even know they existed, the Creator of the Universe, their heavenly Father, was not only thinking about them at the time of writing, but was eternally committed to thinking on and bringing the light of His promise.

The tendency is to feel alone, not thought of, obscure, and ill-considered.  Ok, maybe this isn’t a continual obsession, but the reality of how much we are actually in the loving thoughts of our Father is never fully realized and just as these people probably weren’t even aware that there was a fulfillment of God’s note going on in the presence of Jesus, so there is rarely an awareness of how very near is the movement of God’s promise towards us. He, with His thoughts specifically on each one of us, has long ago made declarations of encounters with us that He is bringing to pass even this day. His love and His light is shining right into the otherwise obscurity of our world to dispel darkness and surround with comfort and love. More than just common letters in our names, He has given us His own name for an identity that will forever remove insignificance as it establishes us as royalty by His side. He saw and is seeing right into the world that is ours and has prepared for our rising with the presence of Jesus. What a privilege it will be throughout this day to acknowledge and honor this Light with a receptive and transformed heart of worship.