November Mid-Month Moments by Connie Inglis

 Mid-Month Moments

This past Saturday, Remembrance Day, found me at the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market right at 11:00 a.m. To be honest, I'd never been out shopping at that time on Remembrance Day but it was a Saturday and I needed to get to the farmers' market. At 10:55 a man's voice came over the speaker system announcing that at 11:00, "Taps" would be played over the speakers, then there would be a minute of silence and then again the playing of "Taps." He also asked that no transactions be done during that time. The market was full--people rushing about, tasting this fruit or that fudge, buying up the goods and wares. I wondered honestly, if people heard the announcement, let alone would abide by it. BUT, when 11:00 arrived, and the "Taps" started, ALL the people stopped. ALL the people stood in silence. The only sound was the whirring of the heating system above us. I was actually awed by the scene, by the respect shown, and wished I could have taken a photo from the top, of all the people standing still. It brought tears to my eyes.

Then, in the silence, I heard the Spirit speaking to me. Now I mean no disrespect to all those who fought for this country's freedom and gave their lives for us, but what I heard was, "Where is the respect for My Name and for My death?" My eyes welled up with tears--I wanted to weep. I felt like Jeremiah in that moment. These people, this city, this nation--they have all forgotten God; they've forgotten how to honour and respect Jesus Christ and His death and His ultimate sacrifice for our spiritual freedom.

I stood there for a while after the second playing of "Taps", watching all the people return to their business and busy-ness of buying and selling. And all I could do was ask this question: What would it be like if on Good Friday, our nation stopped, stood silent, WILLINGLY, at 11:00 a.m. and showed respect to Jesus and His Once-for-All sacrifice for us? I couldn't even picture it--but I wanted to.

Phil. 2:9-11 says, "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place

    and gave Him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father."

Even though the world doesn't acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ, His Father did and does. The Father exalted Jesus to the highest place as the ultimate, triumphant Victor--the only way to true freedom for this world. And someday, every knee WILL bow {everyone WILL stand still} and WILL acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.

But until that day, God calls you and me to stand firm and proclaim His name. Col. 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

My prayer for us this week is that we do not falter in our calling--that our written and spoken words are done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and that we acknowledge God the Father by outwardly speaking thanks to Him. And may the world see their Rescuer, their Freedom, through us today.

Living in Freedom,

Connie

November 15, 2017

Mid-Month Moments are past devotionals written by Connie Inglis that she shared each week when she was InScribe's spiritual advisor. (Originally called 'Mid-Week Moments') They are shared from her archives with permission in the middle of each month.