Today’s Reading: I Timothy 2:5
Daily we are confronted with situations that allow us to make decisions based on our past experiences. As adults these decisions are formed from a complex and diverse skillset and experiences to make the best choice in the midst of many variables. For children, this process is sometime much simpler. Last weekend, our family went on an adventure of camping. Camping has become a tradition that the kids and we enjoy. Each time camping is a different experience. Something is always changing and exciting. I remember the first time that we went camping and the closest restroom was a primitive restroom, a natural latrine. The youngest kids were to little to use it properly and the older kids would not attempt. Now everyone used the latrine without hesitation.
During these trips, we can reconnect with the kids on an individual basis and some of the insights can be remarkable. While on a walk to the main office, Ollie and I had a conversation about the trip and what were the highlights of the trip. As he was recounting the highs about the trip he also stated “ Those people in the RVs are not really camping”. This made me pause and inquire more about the statement. Ollie replied, “Real camping is in tents and not in the RVs with running water and air condition.” I had to gently redirect his view of the situation. We had a dialogue on the different ways of camping and how different people chose to enjoy nature differently, but we are all able to participate in the beauty that God has given us. We have to be grateful in all aspects of camping from backpacking to glamping.
This interaction with Ollie helped me to reflect on the many areas of my life and my thinking and become more aware of the benefit that we have Christ as a mediator for us. There have been many situations that I have misinterpreted, but God allowed me to see it through his eyes. There are situations that he has been a guard and shield for me. These situations are not guaranteed to work out easily, but with His presence, they have been a benefit for his Glory. In the midst of so many different scenarios and situations, we could be seen differently outside of the true content.
While on the campgrounds there was a beautiful RV camper that was created for a person who had been through some difficult situations. This camper was a sanctuary for this person. This was a way to create a new sense of peace and wholeness for this person. But if we were only thinking from one perspective, we could have missed to deeper meaning.
Christ through the manifestation as a human from the Spirit of God has been given the ultimate ability to intercede and be our chief mediator to God the Father. Just as with our children, we often cannot understand the complexities that Christ advocates for us to God on a daily basis. This advocacy didn’t start after the death, burial and resurrection, it was present at the beginning of creation and it is also recovered in the oldest book of the bible Job.
Job 16:19-21 (NIV)
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend[a]
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend.
Christ has always been our advocate, but his sacrifice completed the ultimate place as the mediator who can represent us in spite of our sins and transgressions.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our Mediator in Christ. Thank you for the gift that you gave so that we may be able to communicate with you personally through Christ. Thank you for the peace that you give us in spite of our sins. Amen