1-25-2019

Good Morning All,

          Psalm 5:11; “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”

    I was not with my wife when she babysat some of our grandchildren.  One had a birthday party so Grandma sat with the other two.  6-year-old No. 1 grandson convinced Grandma to play video games on the television. (Not Grandma’s strength or forte) They would go and go but Grandma’s guy kept dying.  Finally, apparently, with a little exasperation, he told her, “Grandma, just bubble up and you will make it.”  “Bubbling up” means to encase your character in a protective bubble so that it cannot be killed.  It is designed for weaker players who are slowing down better players.  Fortunately, Grandma kept her sense of humor about it.

    There are times when we all would like to “bubble up.”  When we hear bad news or when we experience events that cause us to fear, we might want to “bubble up.”  As strange as this sounds, there are times when this happens.  When some people experience extremely emotional strains they often assume what we call the fetal “position”.  We do this as an, almost, involuntary response.  In this action, psychologists say we go back to the safety of the womb. 

    The unbeliever finds no peace.  He is left to fend for himself.  He is left to find comfort where there is none.  He is left to speak to those who do not hear.  He is left all alone.  He has no comfort other than to hide and endure.

    We as believers have a different fate.  We may experience the same pain or sorrow that the unbeliever experiences but we have the assurances of Jesus.  His death and resurrection changes everything for us.  In all that we face, we are “bubbled up”.  We face all challenges and all uncertainties with the certainty of God’s grace poured out upon us.  It helps us to see, to look to and to focus upon Jesus and the long plan or the end game.  We will get to the reward.  We will get to the wonders that wait for us.  We will get to the perfected creation and eternal life.  We know how the story ends and it ends in complete harmony, wondrous beauty and joy beyond measure.

    Yet “bubbling up” with Jesus is not a sign of weakness as some would have you believe but rather a sign of contentment and of certainty of victory.  Jesus has overcome death, it is already done and he gives us that same victory.  This victory can never be taken from you.  You rest in God’s loving embrace and he will never abandon you.  That is our “bubble”; the most amazing gift we have ever received.  The certainty that God will not abandon his children (us) and the victory those children (us again) have been given cannot be taken from them.  Whatever we face, we face it with the guarantee of God’s grace for us. So, go ahead and “bubble up” in the warmth of God’s mercy.

Father of all mercies, you are our hope and anchor.  Guard us by your Holy Spirit.  Be with those who suffer from worry and anxiety, from hopelessness and despair.  Bring them to the knowledge of your grace and keep them safely protected in your loving arms.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret