December 3, 2015 Ponder
Listening to the wind blow, I was reminded of the benefit of walls as a barrier between myself and what is happening outside. Walls mean safety and warmth. Life is completely different during a storm when we are protected by strong walls.
Pondering the significance of walls, I thought about other ways they make life safe and enjoyable. A wall made of glass allows us to be near a critter that would harm us if we were in the same room with it. The wall allows us to have a close-up view and still feel safe.
Ancient cities built walls so that the only way to enter was by a gate that could be guarded by day and secured at night. Armies use human walls to conquer territory. The united force of manpower operates like a moving wall that is difficult to penetrate.
There are other walls that are not so beneficial. People sometimes build mental and emotional walls around themselves and become isolated. Friends who want to support and encourage are shut out. It is sad to be with someone who is obviously hurting but will not let you into their world.
Some people build a wall attitude to prevent anyone from talking to them about Jesus. Perhaps they had a bad experience with someone who claimed to be a Jesus follower, so they want no part of hearing more about Him. It might take a lot of consistently living out the Gospel Message before they will ever listen to what we want to share verbally.
The Bible talks about a wall that separates humans from Creator God. It is the wall of sin that can only be removed by the finished work of Jesus. Ephesians 2:14 tells how He broke down that wall by His death. The Christmas Story begins that process and Easter Weekend completes it. When Jesus died, the wall in the temple that kept all but one person each year from entering the Presence of God was split from top to bottom.
Through Jesus, we have access into God’s Presence. And when the wall of sin that separates us from God is removed, we have Peace with God and are set on a journey to enjoy it.
Today I am grateful for walls that protect me from the weather, but more excited about the wall that no longer exists between me and God. I want everyone to have this confidence and joy.
Pastor Bill Ehmann