Jesus, a Most Unexpected Gift

Hi Friend,

This will be my last planned, daily post for 2023, and I just couldn’t help but come back to God’s amazing grace one more time as we close out the year together looking at Jesus, a most unexpected gift.

This week we’ve discussed how Jesus did not come to save the Jews in the manner the people expected Him to come, a warrior king destined to overthrow their oppressors and enemies and rule the physical world. We’ve discussed how He ushered in the grace of God, giving concepts like karma, legalism, and deservedness the boot. We’ve examined how He gives us power by emptying Himself of power and coming to earth as a babe, living as a humble servant, and dying on the cross for our sins. We’ve wondered at how He came to earth, fully man and fully God, Immanuel, God with us, and how that allows us to approach the throne of God in expectation of mercy and grace.

As I reflect on all of the ways that Jesus is a most unexpected gift, I can’t help but look back on my own walk with Him this past year and marvel at just how faithfully He has led me and even carried me through valleys and up mountains and into and out of different types of wilderness. I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul when he wrote:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 CSB

2023 brought me to some hard places spiritually, to some strongholds that needed torn down, to closed wounds that needed to be opened and cleaned before they could be healed, to facing some areas of emotional, mental, and spiritual weakness. And I confess, I really hated those weaknesses at first, and even now I’d say I accept them more than embrace them. My whole life, my natural spirit has fought feeling weak with a passion, avoided appearing weak at all costs.

And yet, over the past 12 months, I’ve found myself on my face in my office floor more times than I can count, tears flowing, held in the Father’s arms as I grieved choices I’d made, as I dared to hope for freedom from shame I’d carried for years, as I fought Him to hold onto unforgiveness for myself and for others, as I forgave but still struggled with what to do with what I can’t forget, as I raged against confusion and questions I couldn’t answer, as I repented of so many worldly attitudes and actions over the years, as I was overcome with His peace or assurance or comfort despite my doubt, my fear, my proud and rebellious nature.

Over the past 12 months, I’ve found myself opening up about weakness to Siblings in Christ in person and in writing, sharing stories of rebellion and heartache that have turned into testimonies of repentance and healing. I’ve dropped the pretense of perfection and allowed my voice to quiver and tears to fall in really public places to share with others what Christ has done for me.

I’m no Paul. I don’t know that I’ll ever take “pleasure in weakness”, but I know that I will gladly boast of the grace and healing power of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I will gladly boast of His faithfulness in my life, of His endless pursuit of me, of His determination to bring me to the realization of the fullness of His love for me, just as I am, weaknesses and all, wanderings and all.

I’ve never been one of those “word of the year” people, but looking at the journey that has brought me here, writing to you, then, if I were one of those people, my word for 2022 would be FREEDOM.

2023 would be HEALING.

And I’m confident that 2024 is going to be GRACE.

I won’t be writing as much between now and the new year. I’m going to spend some extra time with family while school is out and extra time praying and partnering with God on the plan for this writing ministry in 2024. Thank you, friend, for walking with me this year.

I pray that God blesses you this CHRISTmas season with love and laughter and His good, good grace. I pray that God gives your heart assurance of a bright and bountiful new year. I pray that you draw close to God in your weaknesses and offer Him your strengths as gifts for the furtherance of His Kingdom. I pray He grants you endless opportunities to let the redeemed of the Lord say so! I pray to see you here, on Psalm1072.com, next year.

I’ll be taking a break from daily posts after Dec. 22 to focus on family and make a writing plan for 2024. To make sure you don’t miss a post when I return, please consider subscribing to my email list.