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* This is part of SOAP from Moms Tool Box. As Amy says about SOAP, “It is a simple way to read through the Lord’s word, pray and reflect on just what He might be telling you in that passage.” It means this...

*Scripture
*Observation
*Application
*Prayer

*Scripture...

“And the living creatures kept running and returning,like the appearance of a flash of lightning.”(Ezek 1:14 Masoretic Text)
*Observation...

Does that sound like you? Running, returning? Running, returning? Is your day filled with kids’ sports practices or games, errands to run, committee meetings to attend, business meetings or home business functions to attend to, chores to do?

Do you flap your wings of busyness but don’t seem to get anywhere? Do you go in four different directions at once? Do you flit about but miss out on hearing God’s voice?

As I mentioned in a previous post, Are You Full of Dynamite?, a verse of scripture had captured my attention lately. Two other scriptures have also seized my thinking: the opening verse and this one...

“When they stopped, they let down their wings. And every time they stopped, there came a voice from the crystal sky above them.” (Ezek. 1:24b-25 TLB)

Hmmm...when they halted their fluttering, when they stood still and let down their wings, they heard God’s voice.

*Application...

How does that apply it to us?

With unfurled wings, we flap around in frustration. We flit about doing our own thing. We dart sideways in anxiety. If we continuously flutter our wings of busyness, we have no time for the Lord in our schedule. And we will not hear His voice.

Energy is wasted. Time is lost. And eventually, we wear out.

As I searched for an image for this post, I came across the leadership site The Resurgence with an interesting article written by Dave Kraft entitled Busyness is the New Spirituality. While he mainly addresses leaders, his points are applicable to all of us. Three of his four main points state the causes of “bone-deep tiredness”...

* the inability to say no
* the inability to slow down
* the inability to simplify

As I searched further, I came across these interesting items...

* a book Too Busy for Your Own Good
* another book Freedom from Busyness
* an article on Family Life Radio Addicted to Busyness
* a Busyness Survival Kit
* and the book I’m sure you’ve heard of, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

This must be a growing problem, otherwise, these things would not have been written. The saying is so true: Master time or it will master you.

So, if we do not slow down and hit the delete button on a few things in our lives, we will become bone-tired or even burned out. Jesus took time to slow down and be with the Father, going off to the solitude and serenity of the mountainside or the gardens to pray. He also rested by the well. (You might enjoy reading my post on this entitled Come, Sit by the Well.)

Therefore, we need to let down our fluttering wings. Hush the din of confusion. Rest our harried minds. Get quiet in the presence of the Lord. Let a peaceful calm permeate us. And wait. Wait to hear the Voice of the Ages as He whispers those precious words of love, peace, and comfort to us.

We have the joyous privilege of seeking the face of the Creator of the universe! Does that thrill your soul? If not, it should. It should fill you with praise, gratitude, and thanksgiving that the King of kings is also thrilled to have you sit at His feet and listen to Him, just to spend time in His presence.

Distractions are everywhere. If we allow Him, the Holy Spirit will calm the chaos and bring harmony to our frustrated souls.

If we do the same as Jesus, to sit in stillness and pray, we sit by the well and dip into the Lord’s well to refresh ourselves with those Living Waters. As we sit, we may hear Him whisper to us...

“Do not rush into My presence looking at your watch. The busyness of life derails your attention. Let down the wings of your disquieted and busy spirit. Prepare by being still.

“I do not struggle to fit in with all the other voices of the world. I will not compete for the number one spot in your life. I will be found in quietness and stillness.

“If My people would take time to be with Me, they would hear those words of comfort and guidance for which they so desperately yearn. Be still and know.”

Be still and know. “Stand silent! Know that I am God!” (Ps 46:10a TLB)

Silent rearranged is listen. Do we do either?

Oh, how souls sadly lack when there is no time for the Lord. So much more is accomplished, with so little time expended, when one kneels in prayer...and listens!

“This is My Son, My Chosen One. Listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35 NLT)

Prayer: Lord, help me to make time to be with You, to block out the discord of the world, to still my spirit before I come to sit at Your feet. As I fold down my wings of busyness, I will hear Your sweet words of grace and peace.

Lord, may my time be Yours. And when the world swirls around me, diverting my attention from You, may my heart be drawn back to seek the comfort of Your presence.

May I be silent and listen. Amen!

As darkness swallows up the day, the black-velvet expanse of night displays a bazillion, shimmering constellations.

Shepherds gather around a flickering fire to dispel the evening’s chill, the flames casting a warm glow across their faces, while others keep guard from the watchtower.

Peace and quiet surround them, except for the soothing crackle of the fire.

Their flocks lie still, serene.

The night’s shroud abruptly parts, revealing the radiance of an angel of the Lord. The shepherds fall on their faces, trembling.

The angel assures this cluster of caretakers, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 NIV)

Heaven then severs the night sky to display more of its glory, unfolding a host of angels, as their voices ring out, “Glory to God in the highest. On earth, peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NKJV)

Rising to their feet, the shepherds agree, “Come on! Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15 TLB)

One unusual star emblazons the eastern sky; one divinely-appointed beam of light illuminates the way to this heralded wonder.

Weaving their way through those rushing to find a place to stay, those having been summoned here to register for taxation, the shepherds follow the beam of light, seeking the site of this new Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths.

From a chorus of angelic voices to the clamor of the street, a multitude of sounds reaches their ears: the bleating of sheep, the braying of donkeys, the lowing of cattle. Suddenly, the cries of a newborn resonate above all the rest.

Finding their way inside a stable, the shepherds find the Babe of Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a hayed trough.

The shepherds encounter the Savior of the world. What they sought, they found.

Oh, to know the wonder of that holy night. To follow the Light, to find the Babe of Bethlehem.

Lord, take me to those fields filled with Your glory. Draw back the black curtain of my night and spill out the glory of Your heaven.

Lead me to that humble manger that I may learn to make my heart a humble manger-place for You. Reveal my life’s emptiness and fill it with the same joy of heaven that filled that night’s air. Guide me always by the Light of Your Life.

Give me willing knees to crouch before You in lowly reverence and awe. Give me listening ears to hear the rush of angels’ wings, to hear their glorious hallelujahs and the holiness of their worship.

Oh, that my heart would always be filled with the glory and wonder of that precious night.

Have you encountered the Babe of Bethlehem? Have you sought and found the Savior of the world? I pray your heart will be filled with Bethlehem wonder and glorious worship this Christmas.



~~Today, I'm over at the site of my precious friend Susan Panzica, Eternity Cafe. Please visit us.~~

“Rejoice greatly, O my people!
Shout with joy!
For look-your King is coming!
He is the Righteous One, the Victor!”
(Zech. 9:9 TLB)
Shepherds oversee their flocks in the field.

A blazing star illuminates an ebony sky.

A choir of angels bursts forth to announce a Divine Appearance, proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NKJV)

The veil of time rips.

The King of heaven bows low, entering earth’s time capsule.
A Child’s cry pervades the cool, night air with new life.
The Babe Jesus...dressed in a suit of humanity...arrives, just as Isaiah prophesied...

“For unto us a Child is born
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end.”
(Is. 9:6-7a NKJV)
As Mary exuded to Elizabeth, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47 NKJV) Even though my surroundings and circumstances are not what I’d like them to be, my soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices for His coming as a Heavenly Visitor.

Is your soul magnifying the Lord and your spirit rejoicing this season? No matter what the circumstances?

Paul exhorts us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4 NKJV)

“Jehovah is King! Let all the earth rejoice!”
(Ps. 97:1 TLB)

~~Hope you enjoy this beautiful O Holy Night from Josh Groban~~



~~This post is part of...

* One Word at a Time Blog Carnival hosted on Peter Pollock's site. Check out the other entries on his site.

* ChristianWriters.com blog tour. Check out the other entries in the sidebar.~~

Come along with me and I’ll be your guide for a walk through one night two thousand years ago, a very special night that changed the world…forever.

As you walk along, consider all the things you see, hear, smell, and touch.

First, what do you see?

*As you walk along the trail into Bethlehem, look out over the beautiful fertile hills. Here you’ll see Bethlehem nestled as a quiet little village.

*As darkness begins to swallow up the day, look around quickly. In the surrounding fields, shepherds pasture their flocks. Walk down the dusty streets to enter the little town. You will notice people rushing to find a place to stay; they’ve been summoned here to register for taxation.

*Glance up. The glorious heavens stretch out like a drape of black velvet, poked with holes for the stars to sparkle through like bazillions of twinkling lights, choreographed as a dance of angels with flashlights.

*One divinely-appointed star blazes unusually bright; its brilliance illuminates a lowly stable. Follow the star’s beam to the stable.

As you near the stable, stop to listen!

What do you hear?

*Heavenly songs of praise ascend above the fields, filling the night’s atmosphere with angelic voices.

Now, slowly approach the stable and stand in the entrance. What sounds emanate from within?

*The gentle lowing of the cattle. The bleating of the sheep. The braying of the donkeys.

*Suddenly, the cries of a newborn resonant above all the other sounds.

Step in a ways.

*Listen to the crunch of the straw beneath your feet. Hear the night-time creatures scurry away at your coming. Become aware of the owl hooting his warning of your presence.

Now stop!

What do you smell?

It’s a stable. You know there are odors here! You breathe in the smell of, well, you know.

Okay. What other fragrance is there?

*The aroma of freshly tossed hay.

Step further still into the stable.

*There’s one gentle, sweet smell…that of a newborn baby. The animals gather around to sniff at this strange little wonder now occupying their trough.

A young woman named Mary has just given birth to the Saviour of the world. Swaddling Him lovingly, she placed Him in the trough, and there, the miracle of the manger has taken place.

Join the animals. Lean over the manger.

*Breathe in that precious earthly yet divine scent of an infant.

So, what do you touch?

*Your knees gently lower and rest upon the hay beside the manger.

*You reach out to touch the little, pink fingers protruding from the depths of the manger.

And now…

What do you feel?

As you’ve walked the path to Bethlehem, seen the sights, listened to the sounds, smelled the aromas, and touched the treasures of this night, did it all take your breath away? What do you now feel?

Is your heart now so full that you think it will explode? Look around to make a memory of all you have experienced. Allow them to reside in your heart’s manger. Don’t ever let these images escape your grasp.

May your Christmas be filled with precious memories and a special touch of the Lord’s presence.