re·store vt
1. to return something to its proper owner or place
2. to bring something back to an earlier and better condition
I love this word, restore. And, my interpretation of this first definition and how it correlates to my role as a follower of Jesus Christ is this, “that we are to return all creation back to it’s owner, to bring everything made by God back to him!” This means that we are to restore all of creation back to it’s original beauty and restore all people by walking alongside of them as we lead them back into an intimate relationship with God.
I am amazed at the role we are allowed to play in the restoration of all things. I am sitting here imagining us honoring Christ by remembering his words to his disciples concerning the Eucharist. Here is the passage in Mark 14:22-26 and then I will explain the correlation.
And as they were eating He took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them and said, ‘Take, this is my body.’ And He took a cup and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them and they drank all of it and He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for many. Truly I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.'”
As you all know Jesus in this passage is foretelling of his death on the cross and how he would soon break his body and pour himself out for the healing and reconciliation of the world. And, our role as we are to follow Jesus is to do just the same. We are to break oursleves and pour ourselves out for the restoration of all creation. We are to usher in God’s Kingdom just as in the Lord’s prayer, “Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” Imagine that, us all living lives fully surrendered and sacrificed, spending each and every day restoring God’s Kingdom! I know it is easier said then done – being fully surrendered and to sacrifice ourselves as we willingly pour ourselves out in love for others. But, that is our calling that we must bare! We humbly get to take part in this journey as we aim to be Christ incarnate. And, we must remember we are not alone in this journey – ultimately it is God who is the Restorer – God in us! So let us radiate the love of Christ and shine forth his *LOVE.
My prayer: That I would be made invisible! That the world will not know Tara Bruce, but that I would be humbled and made less. That instead of others seeing me, that they would only see the love of Christ Jesus bubbling over from within me and contagiously melting their heart with Love. God, help me to be so consumed by your Presence! I am so utterly hungry for you and my desire is to drink only of your everlasting water and eat words of your mouth. I long for you, my Beloved and want every single sense to be raptured in you. Grant me wisdom to discern spirits. Open my eyes. Open my ears. Transform my paradigms of you. Reveal your true self. Take away the lies that I am believing – one’s that I don’t even know I am clinging on to. I want YOU. YOU. YOU! And nothing else. Help me to remember that everyday and not to cling to anything else that does not deserve my affections! Love – your precious daughter!
