The BEST thing…
- amydelp
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
This morning, I began ‘randomly’ humming the old song;
“You - are - the -best - thing….”
(Go with me, here! lol! I’ve posted the lyrics below, substituting the name of Jesus for the word ‘baby’.)
It didn’t start that way. I was thinking about all of the hype of the holidays and how energized I can feel from the initial buzz, but how worn down I seem to get. The excitement turns into me having a hard time turning off the noise of all of things I think I should be doing, checking, buying, prepping. Anyone tracking?
I was watching other small businesses begin holiday sales way before the button on the turkey popped, and feeling the ‘expectation’ from the world to join the fast track.
This year, In the midst of it, our youngest daughter is moving and I flew out to spend a few days with her. This means, while most Americans were rushing to finding all of the best deals on Black Friday, I was seated thousands of feet into the sky, enjoying a good book, some pretzels and a an icy coke…
only to land and get right to the heavy lifting.
I woke early the next morning in her new living space. The floors creaked in harmony with my achy body as I grabbed a cup of coffee with just the light of my phone screen. It was completely dark and so very quiet. The silence was welcoming. I felt an invitation to ‘be still’. Before any notification buzzed or on-line sale lured me in, I sat in this stillness and began to listen and talk to Jesus.
There was no formula or anything fancy.
Just a mom from the Midwest, submitting my thoughts and to him and wanting to know his thoughts.
I am going to try to recount what transpired, because sometimes I need to hear someone else’s testimony before I step out in faith toward my own.
I first just sat in his love and began thanking him for whatever came to mind. I then remember confessing and repenting of a few fears and lies I had been partnering with. (Ex: “If you don’t post a sale SOON, everyone will have spent all of their money and nobody will want what you have to offer”.)
• It reminded me of the load of bags I took to the trash from my daughter’s apartment. Clearing the clutter creates space for the new!
I invited The Spirit of Truth to come and replace those spaces that had been living rent-free in my mind with the Truth.
I was then brought to the cross - this place that reminds me of the incredible debt I could have never paid - my sin weighed more than that enormous tv console - and Jesus carried it on his back. He paid for it with his life, saving me from the consequences of my sin. He defeated death and the devil when he came back to life, and opened up the abundant, resurrection life to whoever would receive his finished work.
I sat in awe - remembering His WORTH and praising him for what He’s done.
I claimed his priceless and precious blood that covers us, speaks for us, and rebukes the enemy. Scripture reminds us that we are healed by his wounds, so I prayed that my physical body, which was beginning to exhibit cold-like symptoms, would be restored into the right rhythm of the Kingdom of God.
I remember inviting the Holy Spirit to come and fill the home.
“Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven…”
What happened in the moments to follow was supernatural. Before I knew it, a tidal wave of joy had rushed over me and my eyes began to leak with happy tears. I felt the presence of God Almighty with me, in this quiet and holy moment. He began to flood my mind and open up fresh revelation from His heart for me, personally, and for others.
This goodness is like the hot banana bread my daughter’s roommate pulled out of the oven.
It’s not only for us! Whenever we encounter his presence, we get to share the abundance! I quickly texted the people he brought to mind with encouragement from his heart.
And then it hit me fresh, like the new dawn that began rising from the dark landscape outside.
There is nothing better than the presence of God. No greater Gift. No better buzz.
I think this was a real-time example I needed of what it looks like to “seek FIRST the Kingdom”. I could have missed this! And I have so many times, when I choose to click on the notification and get sucked into a pace that does not feel like grace.
While the world is “hustling and bustling”, the rhythms of the Kingdom are often “go slow and bow low”.
In a few slow, quiet moments, I was able to commune with the One who Created the heavens and the earth. 🤯 He wanted to “feast”with me and share his access into the storehouses of heaven. (This is our inheritance as Kingdom kids.)
His presence and precious promises are ours.
So why do I go into the holidays often settling for presents and a fresh batch of weariness?
(p.s.I found several, never-opened presents in my daughter’s tv stand last night that I had put in her stocking last year. 🫠 Maybe I’ll put them back in her stocking this year! 😉)
He is Immanuel, God with us.
Isn’t that what we sing about at Christmas-time?
If you’ve been here for a minute, you know how much I love the story of the ‘woman with the issue’ in the gospels who touched the fringe of Jesus’ robe. (Matthew 9:20)
What strikes me about her story today is how she
blocked all of the noise and passionately pursued the presence of Jesus. As she touched the fringe of His robe, she felt his power infuse her, supernaturally. She was made whole in every way, in one moment.
No more sickness. No more torment. No more carrying the heavy weight of societal expectations.
Can you imagine the tidal wave of joy that washed over her, replacing her mourning, in the days and weeks to follow?
I’m imagining her walking through the village, with a skip in her step, humming;
“You - are - the -BEST thing…”
Isaiah’s words in chapter 61 are about Jesus.
“He has sent me…to preserve those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...”
As I felt his love bringing wholeness to me, body, soul and spirit, I wondered:
Wouldn’t it be a sight to see a weary world encountering and sharing the healing presence of Jesus - rejoicing that He truly is the BEST thing that has ever happened to us?!
I’m proclaiming that Jesus is JUBILEE!
He is LOVE.
He is HEALER, RESTORER, REDEEMER, our Wonderful Counselor, our Prince of PEACE!
(What else comes to your mind?)
His thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways…
He doesn’t ask us to push, perform or produce in a system that’s never satisfied.
What he does invite us to do is pursue his presence.
In His presence is fullness of JOY!
And THAT’s why I started singing “You - are - the - BEST - thing”!
If you have a testimony about Jesus being the BEST thing that’s ever happened to you, please comment below or reply to this email.
I read every single reply.
If you need a testimony about Jesus being the BEST thing that’s ever happened to you, I hope this encourages you to take some time to quiet all of the ‘buzzing of the holidays’ and pursue his life-giving presence. He wants to be with you!
Oh! And If you’ve made it this far, one of the ideas he gave me was to run a promo beginning today (a.k.a. “Cyber Monday) that lasted throughout the Christmas holiday. So, if you are looking for a gift that fosters PRESENCE and want to save 25% ~ without leaving your cozy spot with Jesus ~
use the code BESTTHING.
No hype here, just Truth and Love!
Abundantly,
🩵Amy
I hope this song pulls on some joy-strings today.
🎶Song: “You are the best thing” by Ray LaMontagne
(Jesus)
It's been a long day, (Jesus)
Things ain't been going my way
You know I need you here
To clear my mind
All the time
And (Jesus)
The way you move me, it's crazy
It's like you see right through me
And make it easier
You please me, you don't even have to try
Oh, because
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me (Jesus)
We've come a long way, (Jesus)
You know, I hope and I pray that you believe me
When I say this love will never fade away
Oh, because
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me
Both of us have known love before
To come on up promising like the spring
To walk on out the door
Hearts are strong, and our hearts are kind
Well, let me tell you just exactly what's on my mind
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, Jesus)
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me
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