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Respite For the Weary
Have you ever wondered what God's favorite colors are? Greens and Blues? Reds and yellows? Maybe its all the colors of the rainbow? Or maybe its every single color, with every shade and hue. After all, he created each one with his perfect imagination!
From the beginning of Christmas Morning, I was asking God himself to pick his choice colors for the pages of this children's book. I personally see in black-and-white words, so my creativity in the world of art is close to nothing. I knew this story needed God's divine touch in order for it to come to life.
As I was praying this specific request, I also "happened to be" in the book of Exodus in my daily Bible reading plan. And it is in these pages that I found three (if not four) of his "favorite" colors! Over and over again, God chose these colors:
You shall make the tabernacle with the tent curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns... Exodus 26:1
And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen...Exodus 26:31
You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen... Exodus 26:36
Contextually, God is instructing Moses how to decorate the tent of meeting--a place where his presence would reside among his chosen people while they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Figuratively, my heart's desire is for God's beautiful truth to reside on every page of Christmas Morning.
So there you have it! Blue and purple and scarlet became my color scheme, hand picked by the Divine Decorator himself! And to add to it, the fine twined linen is the white line that is intentionally drawn throughout most all the pages of Christmas Morning. (I wrote about the meaning of this white line in my previous post: https://www.respitefortheweary.com/post/the-making-of-christmas-morning-backstory-and-the-white-line. .
Here is one more fun and awesome fact-- another word was repeated in these same chapters of Exodus:
They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Exodus 25:10
You shall make a table of acacia wood. Exodus 25:23
You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. Exodus 26:15
Now, can I remind you that my illustrator's name is Acacia? I don't believe in coincidences. I do believe in God's intimate and intentional instruction toward his dependent and faith-filled children. Acacia, who also happens to be my daughter-in-law, is the person who God has appointed to bring Christmas Morning to life through his sweet and holy touch. I am amazed at how he is working through her!
God is in this book. His glory is what I want to come out of every page, every word, and every stroke of color.
I could go on and on, but instead, I will stop here and say, "Stay tuned."
There is more to come in the making of Christmas Morning...
Thursday
Picture: Tree (the pruning)
Scripture: John 15:1-7; Ephesians 4:31-32; Romans 8:11-14; Romans 8:28
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Take a minute to think about a gifted gardener pruning his or her carefully sustained rose bushes. Just like this wisdom-driven physical clipping, God’s all wise spiritual pruning is for our good (although most often, it does not feel good!). When these non-fruit bearing branches are broken off however, the result is both beautiful and beneficial not only to you, but to all those you encounter.
Is there a time in your life that you experienced God’s pruning? Explain.
Can you trust God in the pruning process even if you cannot understand what He is doing? Why or why not?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference:
Tuesday
Picture: Tree (the watering)
Scripture: Psalm 1(emphasis on verse 3a); Isaiah 44:3-5; John 7:37-38
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Meditate on a flourishing tree next to a flowing river. The streams of water equal both God’s word and His Spirit nourishing our hearts—we need Him and His word within our hearts the way His creation needs a consistent water supply within roots, trunks, and branches.
Is your soul weary and dry? In what ways?
Are you getting enough Living Water? Explain its benefits when you do.
Write a prayer using the daily verses as a reference:
Friday
Picture: Tree (bearing fruit)
Scripture: John 12:24; John 15:8-11; Galatians 5:18-25
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you?
Close your eyes and envision any kind of fruit tree that is ready for harvest. This fruit has reached this point due to all the previous concepts we have looked at this week: seed, soil, roots, watering, growth, and pruning. Likewise, we bear spiritual fruit due to God word’s and His Spirit continuously at work in our lives.
In what ways is the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc) flourishing in your daily interactions with people?
Is the Lord using you to bear fruit for His name in any particular ministry or people group?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference:
Wednesday
Picture: Vessel (cleansing and repairing)
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-22; Titus 3:3-7; Jeremiah 2:13; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 147:3
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Take a minute to think about a dusty vase being thoroughly washed underneath a flowing faucet. Now, think of a broken vase being gently and precisely glued back together. These two pictures represent: 1. confessing our sin and receiving the cleansing act of forgiveness from the Lord, and 2. allowing the Lord to repair our broken hearts from these sins or from harsh life circumstances.
Is there currently anything you need to confess in order to receive cleansing? Does your vessel stay in the same broken state due to ongoing sins? Explain.
Are you broken due to a deep wound? Explain. (Consider reaching out to a godly friend or mentor who will both encourage you and keep you accountable. Write his or her name here.)
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference:
Thursday
Picture: Vessel (pouring in)
Scripture: John 2:1-10; Romans 5:5; Ephesians 3:19-20; Psalm 119:11, 57
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Close your eyes and visualize someone pouring clean water into a crystal vase. This picture represents the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit (as well as God’s word) being poured into our hearts. His Word and Spirit create beauty within us, which creates newness of life every day.
Can you give an example of a specific circumstance in which you know you felt God’s Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control pour into you? Explain.
Is there a time in which God’s word spoke directly to your heart in a certain situation? Explain.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference:
Tuesday
Picture: House (foundation)
Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:3-4; John 14:6; Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Corinthians 3:11
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Take a minute to think about the concrete foundation that is laid before the building of any home. Much like this firm foundation (and more so!), God never changes or shifts. He is the unshakeable Rock. Jesus Christ laid down His life so that we can build our house on His eternal truths. The more we know Him through His word, the more we understand the security of our foundation.
Are you building your life on His rock or sinking sand? Explain.
Write out a few biblical truths that you want to build firmly upon so that you know your “house will not fall”.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit. Proverbs 25:28
Dear Lord,
May your Spirit be victorious over our spirit. Overcome us with your mighty power. You are the stronger One! Please cause any wayward desire to be radically changed into a steadfast love for you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.