Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Babyfire Tuesday, December 23, 2014 Malachi 3:1-2 Thus says the Lord God: "Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming," says the Lord of hosts. "But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears?" Malachi goes on, "For he is like the refiner's fire." Have you looked into the eyes of a baby? When the baby's eyes are as deep as wells of sapphire or onyx ... When they don't blink, when they look back into you as deeply as you'll let them look ... When there is nothing for them to hide ... and in that moment, whatever it is that you have to hide seems to rise up, fly up to the surface of your mind. No way it can be hidden any more. This is the healing fire, the refiner's fire, the "fuller's lye," that Jesus brings, not now as a seven-winged conqueror, but as the little baby born in Bethlehem. I look into his eyes, and know how known I am. I remember John's reminder that "there is no fear in love." I have been uncovered and undone by the look of Jesus, but I need not fear. When I don't look away, when I am held and let myself be held, God will purify my heart. Your ways, O Lord, are all kindness and constancy as you invite me to become the person you made me to be. Sweet king Jesus, be born and know me better than I know myself. "; Add      Edit    Delete