Today’s Readings: 2 Chronicles 31, Revelation 17, Zechariah 13:2-9, John 16
“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” John 19:16-20
Well, it’s the final frontier friends. Not really…you’ll be either happy or dismayed to learn that I’ve signed on for another year of writing on Bible Journal! I was really hoping to ring it in today with a big Revelation bang, but sadly I’m not sure what to say about the Great Prostitute and the Beast. Instead, I found myself taken by these parting words from Jesus, written in John 16. By the time you’re reading, the wrapping and bows will be crushed into the trash. Pieces of toys, instruction manuals and electronic cords strewn about. Our bellies are full, the left overs congealing in the fridge and we, His people are left with a sort of emptiness. Our King has come and perhaps already gone. What can we do with this “holiday hangover?” How can we keep him in the present with us? As we close this year, Christmas decorations are replaced by stark winter white and cold ground there is a subtle feeling of loss. When will we see our Jesus again?
I love that we have this to hold on to, “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy!” As I make plans for 2017, I’m making sure to include Jesus. Just as the year ends and we have the chance to reflect, we also have the opportunity to be intentional about this new chapter with Him. I’m looking forward to our new Bible Journal plan that begins by focusing on the gospels. I’m also looking forward to discovering the true joy that God has planned for us. I’m watching and waiting for signs that our Savior is present. I hope you’ll hold on to these next few months and savor the quiet nature of these chilly shortened days. The Christmas rush has come and gone. Now we have the gift of stillness to reflect and be in Him. I pray that we can commit to wrapping ourselves in His word in these next few weeks.
I want to thank all of our readers, especially those that have been kind enough to read my simple posts on Monday’s. I’ve grown in my faith because of you. I pray that this year brings joy to each of you and that you’ll continue to spend time in the word with us in 2017.
Peace and Blessings
Jillian