While We Are Sleeping

"Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." Romans 8:34.

When our three children were young our afternoons and evenings were filled with hectic, rowdy, and constant chaos. Between projects, chores, homework and preparing dinner the hours between 4-8 seemed to be longer than any other block of time. By the time Bruce returned home from work I had a list of things regarding the kids that I needed to talk to him about. Bruce would usually arrive home around 6:00 and by 6:30 dinner would be on the table. After dinner we would make ‘unreasonable’ demands of them such as packing their backpacks for the morning, brushing their teeth, laying out their clothes and for the little one to pack her lunch for the next day…the consequence for being picky. Once the last light had gone out of their bedrooms, the last little knees had bent in prayer and the last kiss had been given I could finally breathe. It was at that time…while they were sleeping…that Bruce and I would talk about things that affected them. There were dreams we had for them. There were decisions to be made which many times resulted in differences of opinions but there was always great intercession on both sides. The occasional accusations and the passionate defenses were all part of the intercession dance called life.

I was thinking this morning how we must look like that to God our Father and Christ the Son. The Bible states that Jesus is our Mediator and sits beside God constantly interceding for us. ‘Clearly, Jesus is still very active on our behalf in heaven.’ www.GotQuestionsMinistry.org. Just think of the conversations between them as we are unaware our names are being spoken from the mouth of Jesus. I wonder if God shares the plans He has for us with Christ when He brings up our name. I am humbled by the thought that as God looks upon our sin or unlovely attitudes, Christ smiles and says, ‘I've got that covered.’ I can just see Christ explaining how much His heart hurts for us and what we are going through. He knows that He has overcome all things, but we haven’t yet so He spills out His heart in compassion and love which moves the heart of God. They reminisce about the faith we have displayed and the testimonies we have shared. They see our dreams fulfilled, and they picture our joy when we are reunited with our loved ones. I could go on and on with the tender whispers they exchange and the laughter they share as they see our perfectly planned future laid out. Every single planned occurrence in our life is just a matter of time...their time...the perfect time...the destined time.

But for now, it is enough for me to know that my name and your name…my family and your family...my challenges and your challenges…my dreams and your dreams are being talked over, planned for and celebrated in advance by the only Ones who have the power to will and work every single thing for our life.

…and all while we are sleeping.