The NEWNESS of Life Freely Given to Us!
This weekend, I climbed the stairs inside a lighthouse, climbing to the top. Now, this was not just any lighthouse but the first lighthouse built at the first landing in America by the explorers commissioned by the Virginia Company. While those explorers did not actually build that lighthouse but instead moved down the Chesapeake Bay to settle near the James River, we do know that the lighthouse was commissioned by our newfound government a few years later to welcome others who wanted to come by ship, to explore, and to find freedom in the new land.
As we know, the king of England sent these explorers to do just that—EXPLORE. Their task was simple: Explore the new land, report back to the king about the “goodness” of the new land, so that he (the king) could acquire more land. We also know the truth—When these explorers (those who survived that first winter) saw the goodness of the land, they wanted to break away from the oppression of the British king and forge a new life in a new land.
As I climbed up the spiral staircase, I bumped my head hard, and it hurt all the way as I climbed to the top. Then, as I peered out the lighthouse windows and stood at the top, as high as possible, just as those early explorers in the New World (1607), I rubbed my tender head where the iron had connected with the soft head of my body.
As I stood there looking out at the sea (the Atlantic Ocean), my mind filled will all sorts of thoughts:
- How in the world did they ever survive?
- What bumps and bruises and injuries did they encounter?
- How could they have been so brave?
- Did they fear losing their life? OR
- Did they NOT fear losing their life BECAUSE they feared a continued living in subjection to the British king?
- What were the thoughts of those early explorers and settlers as they walked where I walked today?
- How humbling it is to walk along the same path as those brave explorers who came four hundred years before me!!!!
We know the historical account of the New World.
We know the king of England pursued these “offenders” whenever they refused to return to England but instead decided to stay, & we know that the king was not so offended by their staying as he was by their claim to a NEW government.
We know the king sent soldiers to tax the new settlers.
We know the king sent soldiers to keep the new settlers in compliance with the old world.
We know the settlers rebelled.
We know the early settlers took up arms against the British soldiers.
We know the American Revolution was the result.
It is true, those things most precious require our attention and our fortitude.
It is also true; we must seek that which we most desire.
Finally, the LORD will fight for us IF it is in HIS will that we Go, Do, Remain, or Speak.
“The LORD will also be a stronghold for the oppressed,
(Psalm 9: 9-10 NASB)
A stronghold in times of trouble;
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, LORD, have not abandoned those who seek You.”
From our historical accounts, we know years later after that first landing, American Independence was gained.
While we know the history of the event, we cannot really know the fear those early explorers and settlers in the New World may have felt. &
Finally, we also cannot really know how badly they (those who forged a NEW WAY of life) wanted their freedom.
BUT there are so many things we can know:
We know how badly our ancestors wanted to break away from the ways of the British world.
We know the value and the cost of seeking freedom.
Is not that the TRUTH we experience when we encounter God’s Holy Spirit and are convicted of our sins?
Is not that also the way God prompts our hearts to seek HIM—the ONLY TRUE FREEDOM?!!!
As “explorers of the TRUTH of GOD, we must be willing, be humbled by our sins against God, and say, “Yes, LORD, I do desire to know King Jesus.”
Friends, in seeking God, we do not run away from the tyrannical king as the early explorers did, but we run TOWARD the KING of KINGS.
WHY?
- To follow the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE—to follow JESUS.
- To know the trepidation we first felt when the HOLY SPIRIT first spoke to our heart.
- To receive PEACE and JOY we can only experience when GOD takes up residence inside our heart. &
- To walk in the NEWNESS of LIFE as we become the children of God.
As I left on the red-eye flight this morning to travel home, the early red glow of the morning sun was revealed out my plane window. The pilot banked out over the Atlantic Ocean as we flew north toward Philadelphia. He then flew us higher than the clouds (a beautiful place) where I always sense that just maybe I am closer to heaven than when I am standing on the ground. As we flew, the captain said, “We have just been informed that a rocket just took off and can be seen outside the right side of the plane. My window shade was up already, and as I leaned forward to peer out, I encountered a most glorious light there in the distance.
A rocket ship filled with explorers.
“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
(Psalm 9: 10 NASB)
For You, LORD, have not abandoned those who seek You.”