One Legged Sojourner | A Letter of Reflection

Jan 2

6 min read

Dear friends and readers,

I’m currently lounging in New Years Day sweats and a baggy t-shirt with the word HOPE printed across the front, and scrolling to catch up on conditions and events in different places around the world, in many of which friends and loved ones reside. While another violent convulsion of unrest is ringing in the New Year with a deafening roar, paradoxically, I find myself feeling extraordinarily hopeful and at peace in the midst of it. This is worth reflecting on.

I have the sensation today of standing somewhere midway on a continuum. Far behind me is the day I surrendered my life to Jesus and came to spiritual life. Then, there was another significant trajectory-adjustment, almost six years ago, when the trunk of my spiritual family tree was clarified to me as permanently (future-tense) Jewish, shifting my footing and removing all grounds for ignorance or pride in regard to Israel and the Jews (God’s chosen family-nation), including the coming “time of distress” before their full and final healing and restoration.*

Personally speaking, the past decade or so has been a bit of a whirlwind and looks to be ramping up to a super-cell storm going forward. But here’s the thing. Despite the overwhelming evidence of destructive forces attempting to snuff out the hope of humanity, as if in defiance, the true hope, peace, and joy that I’m soaking in this morning come out of an awkward, humbling, and sometimes painful journey over the past six years—via the gradual revelation of how much more there is in the biblical witness to be understood (and changed by) than I was previously attentive to.

I previously stood by faith (securely) on the testimony and teachings of Jesus and his first-century witnesses. But they stood on the testimony and teachings of the Law and the Prophets of old, both of which have far more to say than could be contained in the New Testament writings, much of which directly pertains to the time in history we are now living in. You don’t know what you don’t know, until you know it. And now that I know, I can assure the reader that it’s well worth the awkward, humbling discomfort to find out.

I’ve been aware of a growing steadiness of heart as I’ve opened myself up to the voices of the biblical prophets, who were purposed to bring (first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles) understanding of what has happened in the past, and what will “soon” take place; how and why these things happened, and how and why many of them will happen again in more fullness; and ultimately, how God’s sworn promises to Israel and her Messiah (and all those who love them) will come through great tribulation, full circle to complete healing and restoration.

As I contemplate the coming year, I see a marked difference in my footing and posture, particularly as I resist the familiar temptations to look away, mentally explain away/deny/escape the aggressive evidence of the cosmic rage being poured out against the first-family-nation and her children wherever they reside, as well as the grafted-in brothers and sisters in vulnerable situations around the world. I no longer feel the need to turn my eyes away because there is no longer a need to protect myself from an unnecessary fear of death. We share in the indestructible life and follow in the path of Jesus.

This is a kind assuredness that isn’t going to dissipate in the fires of trial, but will endure and increase at every level of hardship. It is strengthened by clarity on several key aspects of the coming time of trouble at the end of the age (again, no predictions)—

- Confirmation of the people of Israel’s permanence and Jerusalem as the future seat of the Messiah’s kingdom

- Understanding these as the reasons for the relenting, irrational assault against the people of Israel over the centuries

- Adequate preparation for the intensity of trial and tribulation that lies ahead for Israel, the Jews, and those grafted into her;

- What is expected the Gentile brothers and sisters, as we are exhorted to walk with her, comfort her, and testify to her in her travail, and

- The outpouring of miraculous Help that will carry her, and us, as we do every hard, right thing placed in front of us, up to and including the offering of our lives.*

The critical nature of all of this is coming clear as we watch the spirit of holocaust (the ancient dragon) rear his head against Israel and the Jews yet again (some of us are becoming aware of the tsunami arched and coming down over the earth more quickly than others). As we put the pieces together and recognize what’s coming, there is a sense of inner peace to be embraced that can only come from the Spirit of Israel’s God (always ready to be invited into the heart of a person through faith in his Son).

YHWH-God has loved Israel and her children from before time. He knows their inability to do what is right and needed for themselves, just as he knows ours, and has sworn to do all that must be done to bring them, fully surrendered, under his Kingship. But, as the Prophets make clear, this will be preceded by a time of great distress, unmatched in all of history.*

It’s no coincidence that a relatively recent surge in Christian consciousness (of Israel and the Jews’ rightful place and the coming time of trouble before their full and final redemption) was followed by the deeper development of biblical scholarship (revelation) around the biblical prophets. Neither is it a coincidence that this advancement happened just ahead of the next super-wave of (pre-) holocaust against Israel and the Jews. We are all being made ready.

The new year is revealing that we are on the cusp of another painful contraction, a time of pressure, refining, sifting, and testing, with Israel and the Jews at the apex. Frankly (in answer to eschatology arguers everywhere), it does not matter what kind of a birth-pang it will be. Regardless, we have many hard, right choices and actions in front of us—nay, already confronting us as we speak. This matters to us all.

**Not all of us are going to Jerusalem, but Jerusalem is coming to all of us, and she’s coming quickly.

Finally and briefly, I have another personal continuum on my mind today—made up of relationships. On one end, a number of people to whom I’ve enjoyed different degrees of access over the years, who are much further along on their journey of biblical and prophetic discovery, and to whom I’m incredibly thankful for obediently offering themselves and their work to the believing masses for the sake of growing and maturing the Bride. I hope you all know how greatly you are appreciated and how God is using you to change the world.

One the other end, an assortment of precious friends and loved ones—some who’ve not yet had the sweet experience of God’s Spirit entering into their hearts by invitation; others being newcomers to the “family of the forgiven;” and also those who, for any number of reasons, have little exposure to God’s revelation of himself through the Scriptures, particularly the words of the Prophets who have suffered a great deal of misrepresentation and/or fearful avoidance on the part of many otherwise committed followers of Jesus. For all of you, I am equally thankful, for you lend much-needed balance to life and continual reminders of the pure, simple faith from which none of us should ever stray too far.

And so many more moving along in the middle with me, living, loving, growing, serving, and enduring. You are all so loved!

A song has been playing in my mind for more than a week now, every morning as I wake up and throughout the day. It’s titled In Light of Your Love, recorded by Oceans and Amanda Cook. I think it’s an answer to all of the questions that have been surfacing ahead of this New Year, a guiding encouragement. The way we will navigate everything that comes to us in the coming year(s) is in the light of His love.”

Be blessed, dear friends!

Sonia Murray

The One-Legged Sojourner

Maranatha.

*This is merely a letter of year-end reflection. For referenced conversations on these topics, visit the articles at oneleggedsojourner.com. Some great places to start for scholarly work are books and resources by Joel Richardson (joelstrumpet.com); The Emmaus Table (theemmaustable.world); The Apocalyptic Gospel (https://www.apocalypticgospel.com). These will open the reader up to many more valuable resources.