Radically Happy

Happy Leap Day!

MIC Check

Today’s Most Important Challenge is…

• Stepping out in Faith
• Publicly
• So others can too

Immanuel Approach Memo

I am… standing at the banks of a river.

It feels like the Jordan
But looks like the Mississippi

I’m not sure what is on the other side
But it feels like my destiny
Our destiny

It may be the people we need to serve
Or the hope of our own salvation
Probably both

But it only works if we all cross over together

The river is wide, and foreboding
The edges are shallow enough
That a few kids play in the water

But nobody can imagine crossing
We don’t even know how deep it gets

I look for Jesus.

He is standing in the middle of the river
Like John in the Jordan

The water is only up to His waist
But that doesn’t prove anything

Except…

He sees me
And smiles
And beckons me to join Him

“Come on in
The water’s fine”

I sigh
I stand up and move to water’s bank
I shed my outer garment

This draws attention
From those nearest to me

There is a large crowd
Many of them looking at the water
Perhaps feeling the tug of crossing
Perhaps even seeing or hearing Jesus
Without quite recognizing Him

They are all talking
Sometimes loudly
Often angrily

But those around me
Grow still
Sensing something about to happen

Even if it’s just me making a fool of myself
Again

Gritting my teeth
(More against the shame than the cold)
I step out into the water

To be continued

Reflection

I feel…

• Cold
• Naked
• Exposed
• Desperate
• Hungry
• Ready

Scripture

“In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt, and there will be a monument to the Lord at its border. It will be a sign and a witness that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is worshiped in the land of Egypt.
When the people cry to the Lord for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them. The Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians. Yes, they will know the Lord and will give their sacrifices and offerings to him. They will make a vow to the Lord and will keep it.
The Lord will strike Egypt, and then he will bring healing. For the Egyptians will turn to the Lord, and he will listen to their pleas and heal them.”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭19‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬