Oct
23
2012
Descriptions
Posted in Faith 2 Comments
There we were in the elevator.
We were all going up to the same floor.
We were going to a woman’s prayer time for the next hour or so.
Elevator etiquette.
You look straight ahead, making sure you respect personal space.
You don’t talk.
You look at the lights as you climb, waiting for your floor number to light up.
I saw her in the lobby as we entered the elevator.
I recognized her from her picture on a book jacket.
It couldn’t be her!
It is funny how we have a picture of someone in our mind.
They may not look at all what we expected.
She looked exactly the same.
I was much taller, but then I usually am!
We all entered the elevator.
I heard her talk quietly to someone she was with.
It was the same voice.
As we waited for the elevator to climb, I knew I had to take a chance.
Excuse me. Are you Bobbie?
Yes, I am, she said graciously. Have we met before?
Well, no, but I iron with you!
By this time, all eyes were on the both of us.
Elevator etiquette all but forgotten.
We reached our floor, the doors opened.
We both exited the elevator.
By this time everyone seemed intrigued.
She was the most curious of all!
God gifted this sweet woman with a beautiful singing voice.
She and her husband, and two other friends recorded a CD series.
The CD series has accompanying books which include great hymns of the faith.
I have all of the CD’s on my iPod and often listened to them as I ironed.
Ironing is one of my least favorite things to do.
I knew what would make a tedious job more joyful.
I listened to the hymns and sang along.
She smiled a deep, warm smile and our hearts were knitted.
Two sisters in the Lord, going together to a time of prayer.
Friends because of Him.
Friends because of hymns.
That episode took place in May of 2005.
We are still friends.
We still pray for each other.
After that first meeting, she sent me one of the books that she and her husband had written.
She included a note on the front cover.
To Gina, my ironing friend!
Do you ever imagine how you would be described?
I will forever be her ironing friend.
It sets me apart in a unique way!
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply, Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:2,3)
Nicodemus, the man who came to Jesus at night.
The man who was taught the Gospel from the Lord Jesus Himself.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
We don’t even know Nicodemus’ last name.
We know he was a Pharisee, part of the group that had strong opposition to Jesus.
He risked everything when he met with Jesus.
He will forever be, Nicodemus, the man who came to Jesus at night.
While He was at Bethany reclining at the table in the home of a man named Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head…they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” Jesus said, “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me…She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial.” (Mark 14:3,6,8)
The woman, who poured perfume on Jesus’ body.
This is how she will always be remembered.
I tell you the truth, wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. (Mark 14:9)
The disciple, John, was the brother of James, another of Jesus’ disciples.
James was the first disciple to die; John was the last.
One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to Him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask Him which one He means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked Him, “Lord, who is it?” (John 13:23-25)
John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Imagine being so close to Jesus that you could lean back against Him at the table.
Descriptions.
The words that come after the comma, following our name.
Perhaps our faith journey is much like Nicodemus, the woman, or John.
We may come to Jesus afraid as we want to know more about Him.
We may be fearful about what following Him will cost us.
We get to a place of abandonment.
We break our expensive trappings and give them to Him as an act of worship.
We finally reach the place where we can say that we, too, are the disciple Jesus loves.
One day, we will lean back against Him as we recline at table.
We will feast at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
Descriptions.
In Christ, we each have unique words that describe our relationship with Him.
What descriptions are after the comma that follows your name?
Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, we humbly ask you to give us a glimpse of our description, the words known to You, that follow our name. May we be encouraged as You help us to see ourselves the way You see us. How we love you. May those words of love describe us best of all!
It is pure delight to know a friend is singing praises to Jesus and praying for you. God gave me a gift when He planned our meeting and our friendship. Even though I don’t have an iron in my hand, I’m singing “There Shall be Showers of Blessing” and thanking God for you today.
Bobbie,
I am singing right along with you!
Thank you, sweet friend.
Hold onto His joy…always!
You are loved.
Gina