I am caught in a struggle this morning. A struggle that requires my penned obedience. A struggle that calls for some words that have yet to breathe and to find their home within my heart and upon this paper. I know they are here … simmering just beneath the surface of my chaotic thoughts, but getting them out into the open requires a bold and mighty wrestling.
I’m fighting for some words today because, quite frankly, I am not sure there is anything I could write that would embody as much passion and need as the last words I penned. How does one begin to trump the sanctity of life? What follow up could be written that would matter in comparison? At this moment in our nation’s history, could there be any other issue that warrants our more needful attention?
Some would suggest my need to “lighten up” a bit. To take a load off and to marinate my weary with some comfortable complacency. I would argue that this world’s collective propensity toward complacent and “lightened up” living has landed us on the current road of our confusion. We are people desperately wanting to live at ease with our convictions. The problem? Convictions were never designed with ease in mind.
Strong held convictions are deeply sewn into the fabric of our souls. When pulled upon by the arduous contrary of a rebelled cause, we cannot help but feel the tightening of their threaded grip. The resulting “ouch” is not permission for us to stay focused on the pain. Rather, it is God’s invitation for us to put voice to the pull and to put his convictions ahead of our comfort.
This is almost always … a difficult deliberate.
True and eternal conviction is never birthed through accidental measure. We don’t wake up one day with a sacred depth. We cultivate it through the intentional pursuit of the one God who created us with depth in mind. Who designed us with a heart and soul and mind capable of hosting embedded convictions.
God never intended for us to mealy mouth our way through important debate. He means for us to win the debate. Not with our words, but with his—with the truth of his Gospel written and firmly rooted within our hearts. With love-driven actions that boast the visible witness of such a holy planting. We are never more fully alive then when we are fully operating from the conviction of God’s Word within. All other living breathes temporary and complacent and less essential.
I’ve lived most of my life half-way. I am no longer content to do so. Thus, the struggle to find a mattering word this day.
I stand in good company. Not long ago, there was a young woman who faced a similar struggle … a wrestling with the word. She was given the awesome responsibility of bringing God’s Word to the world. She allowed her innocence to be cloaked with the perceived shame of an unplanned pregnancy, and rather than offering her objections in the matter, she simply bowed and offered her words of surrender that would seed eternal and that would convict everlasting:
“I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38).
A difficult deliberate, indeed. It came to pass, just as the angel had said. The Word became flesh via her flesh. He walked among us. Died because of us. Rose again for us, and now lives forever through us.
What could be written to trump the sanctity of human life? What “follow up” could be penned that would trump my impassioned pleas for the life of the unborn child? There is only one Word that surfaces.
Jesus.
Emmanuel. God with us. The Author of human life. The One who found his voice because his mother allowed him the room to grow and breathe and become the certain and final consolation of all mankind.
In just a few weeks, Christians will celebrate Jesus’ birth by remembering his humble beginnings. At least we should, shouldn’t we? Or will that, too, fall prey to our complacency and to the world’s cry for us to “lighten up”? To resign our convictions in order to soothe the nagging ache of naysayers who can’t quite put their finger on their discontent?
Oh, my friends. Hear me if you will. Better yet, go with me if you can. Just for a minute to that stabled manger and hear the cries of our Consolation as he wrestles with our humanity and weeps because of our chosen and deliberate silence. It may sing as a Silent Night in our carols, but nothing could be further from the truth. The silence of our eternal dark was shattered that night through the obedience of one who whispered her “yes” and through the willingness of One who shouted his “YES” accordingly.
I don’t know just exactly how my Christmas season will breathe. But of this I am certain. Most of the world will miss Christmas this year because most of the world intends to do so. They will wrap and spend and shove their version of contentment beneath the tree, but true and lasting peace will never be found shoved beneath a tree.
Lasting Peace spent himself upon a tree—high and lifted up, unwrapped for all the world to review. Some wisely received him as their own, but most turned away. Most still do because most will choose complacency over conviction when given the choice. “Lightening up” has become the politically correct preference of our barely visible standards. It has also become the stench in our Father’s nostrils—an offense to the Consolation who cried his surrendered tears 2000 years ago so that we could fully live the freedom of salvation’s grace.
A baby named Jesus changed my life. If you know him as your Savior, then you can voice the same. We may not fully understand his incarnation. On this side of eternity, understanding comes in part. But there is coming a day of full perception, when the pull of our convictions will thread directly back to the heart of our Father. We will see the connection and be thankful for all of the difficult deliberates that have weaved for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
It won’t be long, friends, so stay the course. Keep to the road. Keep to the Word and find your voice on his behalf. He is so worthy, and this is not the time to shrink back in our faith, but rather the time when we must stand as a bold witness to the convictions he threads the deepest. Thus, I pray…
Strengthen our convictions, Father, with the pull of your truth … with the depth of your Word. Forgive us for our silence and our willingness to concede our witness. May this season be the one in which we testify to the grace we have known, the forgiveness we have tasted, and to the sure hope we harbor for how this “thing” is all going to end. You are our end, God. Our Consolation and our Savior. Keep us willing and keep us certain … all the way home to your heart. Amen.
Copyright © November 2008 – Elaine Olsen. All rights reserved
Thanks to Sassy Granny for the wonderful song and picture. Please head over to her blog today for her thought-provoking post, “Not in a Million Years.” Shalom.
Beautiful thoughts Elaine.
I also am working at making our holidays Holy Days. I feel the need especially to lay a strong foundation for my boys. The world is full of more distraction for them than ever, and less reinforcement that “this is my Father’s world.” I’m grateful for this season where, although unwittingly and unintentionally, the world around me helps bring this message to them.
Blessings friend.
What a great “room” to breath in; and with such a lovely co-breather to boot!
Kathleen
When I posted my blog yesterday, I said that I was not going to respond with comments this week–lots going on!!! But….Elaine!! This post is EXACTLY what we discussed in our Precepts Bible study 2 hours ago! The sign on the buses in DC–we discussed that too!! God is tugging on my heart, girlfriend. I’m going to forward your wonderful post to our teacher. God’s timing is so perfect, is it not?
Love ya,
Susan
I truly believe our souls are connected in their convictions. I wrestle with these thoughts every single day, all while putting on His joy while I’m schooling the kids.
Imagine if Jesus Christ had “lightened up.” He most certainly would have climbed off that cross. “You know what? It’s not that big of a deal. I’m sure someone else will take care of it. Surely there’s another way than my suffering.”
What a horrible thought!
“We are people desperately wanting to live at ease with our convictions. The problem? Convictions were never designed with ease in mind.”
I struggle, yet I rest in Him each time I find myself doing so. The battle will be fought on my knees to my Almighty, responding to His voice–not in bowing down to the god of complacency. That is my consolation.
Wishing I could sit right beside you and pray over, and discuss these things with you further. Your lifesong sings to me.
What in the world is up with that sign? Where did it come from? Very strange how the world moves…
Convictions are needed, Elaine. I admire your passion, friend. The best we can do in this fallen world is to do what we believe is right and stand up for what we believe in. We must be His hands.
But you are so right when you say He is the One Consolation. I went to the manger with you friend.
Thank you for taking me there today.
Love to you,
Laura
Elaine, what encouragement this is to me. Yesterday at Bible study I was sharing a similar example with passion and conviction and the blank stares that met my thoughts saddened me. Expressions on faces content with the lukewarm. Oh that I would never be. We MUST be intentional.
This morning as I drove my son to school we were having a discussion about taking a stand, being bold for Christ, unwavering in our convictions. God’s Word says that if we don’t acknowledge Christ before man He will not acknowledge us before His Father in heaven.
Thank you for standing up and breathing truth into our lives. I don’t want to read the ‘lighter side’ – words that tickle my ears but cause no change. Your writing always draws me closer to His heart and for that I thank you.
Love ya my friend,
Joy
I shared my writing this morning with a bible study class that I am particpating in. The reason was I felt that the Holy Spirit is convicting me to no longer sit on the bench. He is calling me to a higher standard, and if He is, then that means He must be equiping me. I sense confirmation in your last two writings, my friend.
Thank YOU for being faithful to what He places on your heart. Penned well!
Stepping to HIGHER GROUNDS!
Love,
Yolanda
great post! Thank you for sharing that song. I love Faith Hill and listened to her years ago…I have not known the country music world in years. This really blessed me!
“My whole life has turned around; I was lost But now I’m found. A baby changes everything… “
AMEN AMEN AMEN!!! Praise you, Jesus!!
Oh, this has so much richness and depth and meaning!
“Convictions were never designed with ease in mind.”
“The resulting “ouch” is not permission for us to stay focused on the pain. Rather, it is God’s invitation for us to put voice to the pull and to put his convictions ahead of our comfort.”
Wow.
Friends:
I humbly apologize for the original picture of the D.C. bus sign that I posted. I didn’t realize the phrase scripted across the bottom was an “add-on.” I have since corrected the photo. Forgive me for not being more careful.
peace~elaine
Elaine,
You have encouraged and blessed me with this post!
If we read the Word, know the Work, speak the Word, then how in the world can we say the wrong thing?! Billy Graham always answers questions beginning with the phrase, “The Bible says…” That’s what I need to do.
I couldn’t believe the sign on the bus…come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Oh, Elaine – so powerful, true, and frightening to see what is happening in our world. Those difficult deliberates are so against our worldly natures, but I praise Him that they are completely in His. Thank you for this.
I too am feeling this urgency to be more bold…an urgency to serve Him more so I am seeking His direction in this as I am not ruling out going…moving on…from where we are comfortable. Sanctity of life is more than unborn babies as you have suggested in part 1 and somehow life has losts its true meaning, its spiritual roots.
What does Revelation say about being luke-warm.? It is time for a change. It is time for boldness.
I was in a store last week and they are alrady playing Christmas music. It made me cringe. The value of Thanksgiving is being swept under the rug and it so leads to building in the spirit of our Saviors birth. With Joe being out of a job, there may not be money for us to have presents under the tree this year. I am really considering a service project but I know those are hard to come by on the holidays. I think our kids need something more than the worlds view of Christmas. Pyaying about it…
In His Graces~Pamela
Convictions were never designed with ease in mind.
This statement struck me and resurrected some old feelings. It is not always easy to do the right thing but oh the sweetness when we do. Thank you for a stirring post! I loved the video too and will go over to Sassy Grandma’s now.
wifeforthejourney:
Thank you for shining the light of truth on the internet and in our home! I am so glad you have taken up the banner for the unborn, and that you have translated your convictions into words.
Love you,
Billy
Just two words, “Amen, Elaine!” 🙂
Mrs. Elaine, some passionate thoughts indeed. I understand that complacency is not to be desired in spiritual matters. A fiery passion for God, to really know Him and love Him…that’s what matters:)
katiegfromtennessee
Elaine,
This sentence…”We are people desperately wanting to live at ease with our convictions.”….just jumped out at me today! It is SO very true! I find myself wanting to live the convictions God has placed on my heart and yet at the same time wanting to not have to face any opposition while doing so! I guess it’s safe to assume that I’m a coward! Not a good reality to face and one that I want the Lord to change in me!
Thanks so much for the great insight today.
Love ya,
Marilyn
Elaine, I’ve been meaning to tell you also that the book “Anonymous” which you recommended has been a complete answer to prayer for me. I made a difficult decision about a month ago to give up a ministry leadership position that is very dear to me. I did so out of obedience to the Lord, but I’m still adjusting to the sadness of letting it go. Hate that. I wish I could do it with complete joy, but blech…
Anyway, it is giving me the perfect truth and wisdom that I need to get through the transition of being anonymous in the church for a little while. Still reading, but it is blessing me, along with a few other books I’ve recently dusted off my shelf.
Love your ministry!
I saw this on anothers blog this morning….sad. And it makes me so angry….for His names sake.
The world gets worse and worse and its rejection of the only one who could help gets louder and louder.
Elaine, my thoughts turned to Christmas and our Prince of Peace this week, too. Oh, that everyone would find their peace in Him!
Yet again, I’m humbled. I’m not one of those who might suggest you lighten up. No, if ever we needed to take a stand, the time is certainly now. Many of us have been lulled into complacency, and that simply should not be.
Once again your passionate heart has spoken truth, conviction, and challenge to mine.
Thank you for allowing the Voice of Truth to speak through you.
Blessings,
Tracy
Elaine,
I have just spent time reading your last 2 posts. I am unable to even find words to comment.
Wow ~ Amen ~
You speak what so many of us feel but are unable or unwilling to speak.
Our country is so unworthy of the blessings God has bestowed upon it. I pray that we somehow open our eyes to His Gift before it is too late. Yet, HE give us that hope of eternity with Him.
Beautifully written posts. I’m sure I will be back to read them both again and again.
Blessings, Cindy
Beautifully and passionately expressed, as usual!
Oh yeah, and I love the necklace!
I would argue that this world’s collective propensity toward complacent and “lightened up” living has landed us on the current road of our confusion.
AMEN!
Or will that, too, fall prey to our complacency and to the world’s cry for us to “lighten up”? To resign our convictions in order to soothe the nagging ache of naysayers who can’t quite put their finger on their discontent?
AMEN!
They will wrap and spend and shove their version of contentment beneath the tree, but true and lasting peace will never be found shoved beneath a tree.
AMEN!
I’d say Part 2 was just as inspired and just as eloquently expressed as Part 1! 🙂
YES! All God’s people say AMEN. This has been a Friday night retreat for me – to come over here to read your pasionate thoughts and discover that many share the same convictions. God have mercy. Blessings to you for spurring us on.
I am so reminded of Micah 6:8 and your words are spoken with conviction, truth and justice. Thanks for continuing to bring my heart, my emotion and my intellect into deeper understandings of His truth.
Hi Elaine, I must admit that I read your post a couple days ago… and I was going to leave a comment, but I just couldn’t. I went to bed crying that night. Recently, I read how some companies allow their employees to use their health spending accounts for “legalized abortions.” My little heart is broken…
But today the Lord reminded me how intimate we were during my “Dark Night of the Soul”… so much so that I begged Him to never let me forget how I depended on Him for everything. My breath, my digestion, my sleep, my family. I didn’t exist during that time. I was my depression.
So, now, hear I am, again. Asking God to heal my broken heart during this time of GODlessness. Asking God to remind me how He is in control. Depending on Him for my very breath. Back in His arms, again.
Blessings, my sister. Let us strengthen one another as the day approaches…
…Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as you see the day coming when Christ will return. Hebrews 10:25 NIRV
I read your two “Room to Breathe” posts on my blog break; you know how I feel about this topic, your thoughts so close to my own.
I must tell you that, initially, I couldn’t even respond after this one. This is one of my favorites of your posts, as it struck a cord deep within me.
How poignant that the very answer to low, all the world’s many ills, is, in fact, a baby. Not a choice; a life.
THE life.
Wrapping you in a big cyberhug,
Melinda