A Witness Account
Hello Bride of Christ,
As a child when I went to the movie theater to see a film I use to try to anticipate whether the crowd would clap at the end of the movie. It was rare, but when a great film completed the theater would erupt with claps, cheers, and a very strong emotion of joy would fill the theater causing this sense of not wanting to leave. As I have entered into adulthood, this sense of joy and recognition of witnessing greatness seems to be lost. I cannot remember the last movie I saw in the theater let alone one that people actually clapped in joyous celebration of experiencing it together. I believe the cause of dullness is weariness in the people. The weariness in our spirits.
When was the last time you clapped with unexplainable joy? When was the last time you acknowledged the witnessing of a miraculous work?
Often we allow life's hardships (waters) and growing pains (fires) dull our eyes and ears to what we are actually seeing and hearing causing this dullness of spirit. Oh, but God desires for it to not be so. In today's reading, Isaiah chapter 43, God calls out to His chosen, you, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
Are these more than words for you? Do you notice whether you are experiencing this redemption the Lord is talking about?
Our natural senses sometimes miss these beautiful witnesses of God's miraculous works. Other times, our spiritual senses can be numb by the rationalization of our minds. If so, much like watching a movie today, we take the art for granted and walk away not even acknowledging the great work of art we witnessed.
Bride of Christ, "You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he." (Isaiah 43:10) So if the passing and walking through the fires of life is not enough to move you into joyous claps, maybe understanding our Lord's motives as to why He redeems will move you. He continues in Isaiah 43 verse 4, "Because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life." May we rise as precious, honored, and loved people to give praise and joyous claps to our God, acknowledging we are witnessing His great and marvelous works together!
