A Daily Epiphany

Last Sunday we celebrated Epiphany – the manifestation of the Lord – when the magi’s eyes were opened to the King of kings. I desire a daily epiphany when my eyes are opened to my King.

I post my blog for today. Now I’m in my cozy chair with my throw blanket tossed over my lap. I reach for my well-worn Bible, my daily devotional and my journal. A deep breath in and a slow exhale. It’s my time, it’s His time. It’s our time to be together.

Before the electrician arrives to do some repairs. Before I go on errands. Before I go to Weight Watchers. Before the day’s activities are in full go-mode, I get to be with Jesus. For a few quiet moments, I don’t have to share Him with anyone. The words are always fresh to me. A new reading in His Word and a new reflection. What will He show me today? What will be my “epiphany” today? I take it in like it is a required prescription to keep me alive. After all, it is the Bread of Life – physically and spiritually.

But, sometimes, my mind is overactive with my to-do’s and it’s simply a “routine” that must be done. Please forgive me, Lord, for those times when I only give you a quick glance. Sometimes I have an “aha” when I read a verse that I know was written with me in mind. Other times -- not so much. I pause and whisper, “Lord, open my eyes to see the wonderful things in Your Word. Help me understand what You’re trying to show me.” I don’t want to miss a single thing that God has for me. I don’t want the distraction of the clock or daily assignments to pull my thoughts away from His. I really do not want my time with Jesus to be a quick “meet and greet”. I really do want to pray, ponder, understand and respond.

My sweet mother-in-law, Lydia, has been that kind of pray-er and ponder-er. Every time I read Acts 16 where a woman named Lydia is introduced, I think of Mom. Lydia and her friends are having a prayer meeting on the riverbanks. The Apostle Paul and his traveling companions stop by the prayer meeting. Lydia is already a worshiper of God, but as Paul shares the Good News of Jesus and His redeeming work on the cross, Lydia has an “epiphany”: “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention and to respond to the things said by Paul”. (Acts 16:14).

I absolutely love that: “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention and respond.” Oh, how I desire that my heart is opened to pay attention and respond to my Lord. Lydia’s mind is opened and she receives a fresh revelation of Jesus. He deposits a desire in her heart to learn more about the gospel of grace that Paul is sharing. I think of an old song that is actually a prayer. May it be our prayer today.
“Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.”

May this be our heart’s greatest desire — today and every day! May we open our hearts wide so we can receive a fresher revelation of Jesus. No matter how much we think we know about Him, let us long to know Him more!

Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word.”

She Saw Me and My Life Was Changed Forever

This world is filled with those who are looking everywhere to find something or someone to satisfy their emptiness inside. It makes sense because inside of everyone is a God-shaped place that only He can satisfy. That void was filled in my life many years ago when I ran into His arms that were open wide to me. Arms that were replicated by a sweet camp counselor who wrapped her arms around me and told me how much God loves me and invited me to ask Jesus to come into my heart and life. She saw me and my life was changed forever.

Today, my life gives testament to the fact that God's amazing grace can fill every nook and cranny of our lives. That's how I can celebrate each day with joy and peace. I am never alone because He is with me wherever I go. He sees me. Like my camp counselor, the Apostle Paul also knew the power of seeing others — not just who they were, but who they could be. Paul understood the transforming power of Jesus, which made him the perfect ambassador to share God’s love and light everywhere he went.

My mother-in-law's name is Lydia which means "worshipper of God". Mom and I read the "Lydia" story in the Bible on her birthday last week. As Paul passed through Macedonia, he took time to SEE Lydia and her friends sitting by the river. Lydia was a successful business owner, selling purple cloth. But it didn’t fill the void she had in her life as she searched for spiritual purpose and potential. All the connections and money couldn’t satisfy her need for love and belonging.

That day on the riverbank everything changed. Paul, Silas and Luke, three ambassadors of God cared about His lost children. I expect they were kind and gentle in their demeanor. I can imagine they smiled and made eye contact that said: “I see you. You matter. You are not alone.” They stopped. Sat. Shared. Unintimidated by the fact that not one single person for miles around believed in Jesus Christ. Not one. One of God’s lost girls was found! “… the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message” (Acts 16:14). She listened, and her heart was opened to the Good News of Jesus. Just like me!

Because Paul and his friends looked outward from their busy lives and really saw Lydia, she received a new life in Christ. In fact, she was the first European convert in all of history. Today, all over Europe, Lydia’s spiritual descendants praise the name of the ONE who notices every lost daughter and son.

What about you and me? How often do we look up and really notice the people God places in our lives? How might we break out of our comfort zone and SEE others? We might be the difference between someone being lost and being found.

Dear God, please give us Your eyes and heart to SEE the lost and show them Jesus and His love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.