Maranatha
Timali’s Advent poem reminds us of the wonder of the messiah, all that he has done, and all he is still to do!
On the final day of Advent - Christmas Eve, Timali has written a poem about the one whose arrival we celebrate tomorrow, and every day!
Maranatha
He came once
but in a quiet unintrusive way
hidden in the womb of a young unassuming girl.
How he shed his resplendent glory and vacated his abode of magnanimous dominion - I know not.
But this I know, he came.
Came to the malaised Earth,
its fractured world of broken humanity,
there he silently stole into the almost-wedded lives of an earnest and devout couple - unexpected, uninvited.
How he relinquished his power, majesty and
incorruptible divinity - I know not.
But this I know, he did.
Did subject himself to the trappings
of the frail and fragile human form - the same clay vessels
that he had lovingly created and fashioned.
How he willingly diminished his status and stature to
become a vulnerable babe, child, man - I know not.
But this I know, he did.
Did mysteriously manifest in this earthly realm
via scandal and suspicion, the bearer of peace yet causing contention.
His humble birth bringing awe and wonder to the low and the wise,
but revealing also the sin-sick darkness in the heart of man
How he surrendered his authority and rule to become the
object of envy and ridicule - I know not.
But this I know, he did.
Did breathe our air, tread our sod and experience
the limitations and temptations of mankind.
Yet he remained pure,
untainted
by the ravaging wages of sin.
A perfect sacrifice
a saviour born to die
the true messiah
Messiah then, messiah now, messiah yet to come
Come again to make all things new
with trumpets sounding and angelic hosts at his command.
No longer a newborn baby
but King of kings and Lord of Lords!
How he will establish righteousness and truth, administer justice
and usher in his kingdom reign - I know not
But this I know, he will.
Then the seventh angel sounded [his trumpet]; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
“The kingdom (dominion, rule) of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”
Revelation 11:15 (AMP)
Timali Ebanks is a follower of Jesus, cherished wife and mother of a beloved motley crew. When she is not enthusiastically expounding on the joys of delving into literature and engaging students in copious amounts of reading and analysis, she enjoys bouts of writing and adventures of all sorts.
Hearing God - Logos and Rhema
In Timali Ebanks’ latest blog she reminds us of just how many ways we can hear from God, and how to trust that we’ve truly heard his voice.
Sometimes when we are waiting for direction or answers to prayers, we can become frustrated by the seeming silence from God. It is challenging to continue to seek him with a right spirit when we feel like we are getting nowhere… waiting and waiting for enlightenment, a green light or for that matter a red light-just any light to illuminate what can sometimes feel like despairing darkness.
In an Insta world we often mistakenly act like we believe our communion with God should result in Insta- communication as we see fit, according to our timelines. When the Almighty God doesn’t bend to our iron wills and unrealistic expectations – we are often weigh laid with worry or indignant: Asking - Where is God? Why isn’t he answering my prayers? Doesn’t he care?
We of little faith!
The God who said and there was, who spoke the very universe into being, is always speaking. Everything that exists has its origins in the Word of God.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.”
John 1:1-3
Since he changes not and is the same God yesterday, today and forever more- we can expect and should expect that he will continue to speak over his creation and especially to his most valued creation: mankind. Psalm 8 says,
“3When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— 4 what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? 5You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor”
Psalm 8:3-5
We are his masterpiece, which is why Jesus the Word made flesh, came down to earth, to live and die as a human in order to make atonement for our sins so that we could once more be reconciled to God.
“1 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 2But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.” Hebrews 1: 1-2
Restored Communication
Jesus’ life, death and resurrection has resulted in restored fellowship and communion with God. So that once again like Adam, we can walk and talk in the cool of the day with God- our spirits connecting with his Spirit. Amazing, isn’t it? Direct access to God- anytime, anyplace, having the ability to both speak to and hear from him.
While God primarily speaks to us through the written word (the Holy Bible) which is ‘alive and active’ and capable of judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart’. he also now speaks to us through the Holy Spirit!
“… when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come”
John 16:13
Thankfully, in those times when we need clear guidance from God we can turn to his written Word which is useful for, “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” and then we can also wait before him listening and paying attention to how the Holy Spirit will reveal to us what the Father is saying in the present, for the specific situation or concern we are seeking him about- a Rhema word: a particular insight into a portion of Scripture relating to our lives and circumstances.
Becoming Familiar
If we are patient, alert and expectant, we will find that God speaks through nature, through people- like the prophets of old, through dreams and visions, through signs and wonders, through events. Ultimately, we must return to the written Word: Logos, to test these revelations. But as we abide more and more in his Word and presence, his voice will become increasingly familiar. We will soon realise that he is continually speaking if only we will have eyes and ears to hear him.
Timali Ebanks is a follower of Jesus, cherished wife and mother of a beloved motley crew. When she is not enthusiastically expounding on the joys of delving into literature and engaging students in copious amounts of reading and analysis, she enjoys bouts of writing and adventures of all sorts.
Selah - Practising Stillness
As we approach the busyness of the Christmas season, Timali points us to the biblical principle of rest, and the good that it does our souls.
Selah
Often at this time of year we can find ourselves occupied by so many things: work commitments, family commitments, running essential errands. Even the more enjoyable leisure activities and social events take planning and organising and before we know it our calendars are full; our minds are busy and our time taken up. Yet time is one of the most precious gifts we have in this life- it can’t be bought or replaced; it can’t be returned. Who we spend our time with is significant. How we spend our time matters. What we spend our time on is important.
The world seems to shout at us that there is time for everything-we can do it all! We can do it all and apparently all at once: endless multitasking in our own multiverses – this, we are told, is what it looks like to live a productive life. How often do we buy into this lie? How often too, are we plagued by the fear of missing out (FOMO)? How often do we find ourselves on that hamster wheel running from one thing to another? Not just juggling social calendars but struggling under the weight of pursuits. All the while patting ourselves on the back for being such good go- getters?
How much of our time is spent expending ourselves?
A Time for Stillness
Instead of spending our time-the currency of our lives, trying to cram in everything, we should take heed of King Solomon’s revelation in Ecclesiastes 3 that “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven” and perhaps also understand that there MUST be a time for stillness.
Stillness- A time to pause and just be. A time to reflect. A time to quietly glory in God’s goodness- with no agenda, no outcomes to measure, nothing to check off, nowhere to be. The Bible is replete with scripture verses on stillness and resting in God.
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength
Isaiah 30:15
We are reminded of the importance of allowing God to lead us, “beside quiet waters” as he “refreshes [our] soul”
Jesus himself said to his disciples “Come away by yourselves to a quiet place and rest a while…” Mark 6:31
In Hebrews we learn of a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, “…for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his” As humans we need physical rest from activity and labours and as Christians we are blessed to enter into salvation- deliverance from toiling under sin’s scourge, from the impossible demand to keep the law, from the threat of striving to no avail and never having peace.
This is why we share the gospel so that all may enter into that rest- but this rest that has been won for us is also to be enjoyed to the fullest on this earth, during our human lives, at this time.
Press Pause
Should we not then seek to redeem the time we have by intentionally and purposefully pressing the pause button so that we can enjoy what Christ died to gift us? I hope you are encouraged to pencil in time for stillness in your calendars and lives.
Timali Ebanks is a follower of Jesus, cherished wife and mother of a beloved motley crew. When she is not enthusiastically expounding on the joys of delving into literature and engaging students in copious amounts of reading and analysis, she enjoys bouts of writing and adventures of all sorts.