TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Light Has Come to the World
Dear Partner,
My wife and youngest daughter have recently been watching the newest season of The Crown on Netflix. One of the episodes captures the Queen's sorrow for not only failing her family, but her sorrow in how this failure impacted the nation as a whole. She expresses this tragedy of a year, though her Ruby Jubilee, as annus horribilis, a horrible year. Has your year been an annus horribilis instead of a Ruby Jubilee? We are reminded today that no matter what our emotion, circumstance, or feelings, that God knows us and he sees us. He is waiting with open arms. Will you run into them?
I encourage you to Take 5 | Mini Retreat. Take a few moments to rest your soul and grow in your intimacy with Jesus. May you experience the deep restoration God describes in Psalm 23:1 “…he restores my soul.”
Remembering,
Sean McFeely
The Oasis Ministry Ventures Team
Today’s message is short and, oh, so very sweet. Enjoy the beatitudes from Matthew 5:3-10 (First Nations Version).
Creator’s blessing rests on the poor, the ones with broken spirits. The good road from above is theirs to walk.
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who walk a Trail of Tears, for he will wipe the tears from their eyes and comfort them.
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who walk softly and in a humble manner. The earth, land, and sky will welcome them and always be their home.
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who hunger and thirst for wrongs to be made right again. They will eat and drink until they are full.
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who are merciful and kind to others. Their kindness will find its way back to them--full circle.
Creator’s blessing rests on the pure of heart. They are the ones who will see the great spirit.
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who make peace. It will be said of them, ‘They are the children of the great spirit!’
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who are hunted down and mistreated for doing what is right, for they are walking the good road from above.
Do any of these describe you?
Broken spirit
Walking a trail of tears
Walking softly and in a humble manner
Hunger and thirst for wrongs to be made right again
Merciful and kind to others
Pure of heart
Maker of peace
Mistreated for doing what is right
If so, remember that you are known and seen by our loving Creator. This Christmas season, allow yourself to be held in God’s loving arms.
Allow gracious space for brokenness and tears. Continue to walk humbly and to thirst. Remain merciful and pure. Make peace with others and persevere under hardship.
This is a real-life perspective, and it’s good to acknowledge what is happening and to receive from God in the midst.
Seek peace, pursue goodness and don’t give up. Light has come to the world. Receive the gift.
Photo from IVPress
