A Greater Dream

Sometimes I wish the Bible said things like, “When you get stressed, just book that dream vacation for yourself!” Or, perhaps, “Take a break, dear one.  The afternoon is yours to do with what you desire.  Leave the necessary duties behind and go get a latte and pedicure!”  While we do take breaks in our schedules for personal pleasure to “get away from it all,” these moments of refreshment often appeal to our flesh and are temporary delights at best.  There’s a greater depth of character that God desires to build into our hearts when we need refreshing and calm, one that leaps to believe Truth, instead of jumps to desire ease and comfort. 

When we think we need (or can’t live without) something that will bring us calm pleasure, we shouldn’t quickly brush by Truth.  Applied Truth IS renewal to the soul and brings eternal peace, the ultimate rejuvenation.  The Word, God breathed, holy, living, and relative to our days is perfect in every way.  It is a rock to cling to in perilous times, a breath of fresh air to the regular routine of a day.  It is the faithful comfort that embraces your heart when faced with devastating circumstances.  It is wisdom, knowledge, and understanding when questions arise and no answers can be found.  It is the calm in the midst of stress and struggle.  God’s Word is life.

Perfect peace, a good work in us, fear challenged, trust strengthened, hope engaged, riches received, great power demonstrated, faithful love poured out . . . these are ours should we “Be still, and know that [He is] God . . .” (Psalm 46:10)

Sitting on the beach of a Hawaiian island sipping an iced latte, sounds like heaven to me!  But, where would I be without God’s Truth?  Where would I be without his recognizable presence throughout my days?  Take a dream vacation of rest!  Spend time taking in the Truth of God’s Word.  The promise is that true rest will be attainable and earthly desire will seem to fade into the sunset.  Live for the greater dream . . . peace eternal.

Rest

A planned visit to the ocean is always a treat.  I chose to go with the intention of spending the evening watching the sunset with the Lord.  It was my Sabbath, a date, and truly restful.

This past week, I struggled with a decision that affected me that was out of my control.  I was confused and broken hearted over it and needed to gain understanding and peace to move past the conflict of my heart.  As I sat on a park bench on a cliff looking over the water, I discussed my trouble with the Lord.  I am incredibly thankful for God’s presence.  He’s real, lovely, and always at my side.  We sat together on the bench taking in the beauty.

You can know God as Creator by resting near the ocean.  The sound of the waves crashing the shore is thunderous yet soothing.  The smell is unique yet familiar and fresh.  The glistening water’s depth, no man can fathom, yet it tickles the toes with a gentle embrace.  The grains of sand in their legions sparkle in the evening glow at dusk, reaching and retreating in obedience.  Peace speaks.

Out of nothing, God spoke and the mysteries of the ocean formed.  Each detail incomprehensible and real.  If God breathed life to the wonders of the sea, He can breathe life in me.  Even I am more majestic than His ocean.  My days are detailed with excellence.  Every victory, struggle, and question is a piece of the beauty of my life.  The ocean is so vast, immeasurable, and miraculous.  As well, my life is beyond my understanding.  I am priceless.  His perfection is reflected in His creation.  May He be perfect in me. 

My time of rest has taught me once again, to see God’s majesty in the ebb and flow of life, in the depths and the surface of my purpose, and the innumerable details.  My heart may still have times of trouble, but God is greater than my heart. I am thankful that God speaks to me, sitting beside me, loving every detail of my life.  Peace, peace, wonderful peace.  This is rest. 

My Reality

How can it be that I sense you so near?
Absence from sight, again present.
I long for your touch, waiting and desperate,
Yet, your gaze penetrates my soul and desire.
Your presence means everything.

How can it be that I find myself empty?
Lonely, conflicted, wanting to protest.
I don't understand, my thoughts run like a river,
Yet, your longing is MY life.
Your presence calms my wayward thoughts.

How can it be that my struggles have purpose?
Divinely orchestrated, intended for gain.
I reason an explanation and end up lacking,
Yet, your will is graciously evident.
Your presence orders my moments and every day.

How can it be that you love me still?
Passionately, faithfully, selflessly.
I cannot comprehend or grasp endless grace,
Yet, your love is the reason I live.
Your presence confirms this love and helps me sing.

How can it be that I am your child?
Unworthy, unlovely, needy, learning, and infinitely deficient.
I ache to be secure, resolved, steadfast, and strong.
Yet, you have chosen me as your treasure.
Your presence marks your desire.  I AM yours.

How can it be that I sense you so near?
Absence from sight, again present.
I long for your touch, waiting and desperate,
Yet your gaze penetrates my soul and desire.
Your presence means everything.  This is my reality.

 

 

 

 

Thunderous Whisper

Walking up the stairs this evening the Lord simply whispered these words to my heart, “I understand.”  I couldn’t help but smile.  So simple and so very true.  God understands me. 

At times, I wonder why grief travels the soul as it does.  Often it meanders lazily through life circumstances, yet at other times, its sharp turns penetrate the moment with a jolt, alerting the day with regret, anxiety, or loneliness.  The harsh reality of what life is, compared to what it was, sends sadness into the moment.  In the complexity of trying to live this life in the wake of personal tragedy, the simplicity of truth continually pierces my heart.  When family or friends don’t understand, God does.  When I don’t understand, God does.

God’s voice brings Truth to light.  When He speaks, “He thunders with His majestic voice.  When His voice resounds, He holds nothing back” (Job 37:4).   What He commands, takes place.  His word, the agent of His purpose, performs His will.  His word is sent and when received, the heart is captivated.  In God’s thunderous authority and elegant compassion, a whisper to the soul widens the heart to receive His love.

I am comforted by a God who is the Comforter.  I am seen by a God who sees.  I am understood by a God who is Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding.  This makes me glad.  Sorrow is replaced with joy.  Regret is replaced with hope.  Anxiety is replaced with peace.  Listening to the Voice of Truth, God holds me close. 

Tonight, I can sleep.  God understands.

Picture It

My best friend celebrated his 53^rd birthday in heaven today.  Man, heaven must be an eruption of celebration at all times.  So many reasons to celebrate!  Tears, pain, and suffering are no more.  God’s purposes are in full, captivating view, and the rest of His story is unfolding at every moment.  Saints of old are on the welcoming committee for those who have just bridged the assent into the arms of the beloved Savior.  Joy is unending.  The surroundings are stunning and perfect.  Peace is palatable.  Today, a celebration of life for one resident was acknowledged and esteemed.  The day God breathed life into a man; the man I would marry. 

Sometimes I think I’m still so much like a child.  I try to visualize, in my simple mind’s eye, life in heaven.  What must be the view upon earth and the incessant battle?  What about the simplicity and complexity of eternal life, all wrapped into one?   I try to imagine peace eternal, contentment, rest.  Conversations!  Will we be able to relate to the warriors of faith or will we be in awe of their legacy once again as they tell of their stories?   What would be the conversation with David about wrestling the lion?  A perfect setting would be to listen to his stories while lying in a cool pasture resting upon the belly of a lion slowly breathing, purring in hushed rhythm.  Listen to the laughter of family members reuniting and embracing, remembering.  Activity will happen as a result of perfect assignments.  And glory will be on the forefront of our hearts as we relish in the Light of the Son each moment, forever . . . forever. 

A friend once told me that while she desired heaven, she didn’t look forward to it because she couldn’t imagine what she would do there.  It seemed boring.  I’m really not worried about doing anything.  Quite frankly, I’m tired of doing.  I know I will “do” something, many things, for the glory of God, but that sounds like an incredible adventure to me.  What we experience on earth is a foretaste of glory divine, a sampling, and a corrupted sampling at that.  Heaven will be perfect and beautiful and full of everything right, true, good, honorable, admirable, worthy, and glorious.  There is no one like God who rides on the heavens and clouds in his majesty! (Deuteronomy 33:26)  All power and dominion belong to Him!  This is a place I want to see.  This is a place that will be my home.  This is a place I long for. 

Today, I envisioned my husband doing what he liked best . . . working with his hands, being around family, and loving His Jesus.  I asked God to give him a kiss on the cheek from me and his kids.   I stared at pictures of the cute cherub faces of my grandchildren and at first thought; Brion hasn’t even gotten to know them.  But then quickly reminded myself, he cherishes them every day through the eyes of eternity.  I gave God thanks today, for the memories of a husband who loved me and his kids.  I gave God thanks for loving me forever. 

The adventure of heaven waits.  For now, the purpose of life on earth still beckons me forward.  Embracing life here is not always easy.  Yet, with heaven as my cheering section, I cherish each moment I’m given to fulfill God’s purposes now.  Eventually, my childish dreaming will become my reality and I’ll be home, gloriously home.  

Simple and Predictable

I love food and I love to enjoy it!  The funny thing is, I always have.  In high school a friend brought me two or three dozen of my favorite homemade cookies.  Because they were “all mine” I sat in front of the TV watching my favorite shows and ate all of them in one sitting!  Where was my mom!?  I lost control! 

Tastes and flavors are important to me, thus the reason I don’t venture off into new tastes very often because I don’t want to be disappointed.  I love my old favorites so much so that I repeat them often.  Some people think this shows a lack of adventure.  I would rather like to think I am consistent.  There’s nothing wrong with being predictable in my eating habits, right?  Don’t answer that. 

Like I savor the moments I spend with delicious food, I also savor the moments I spend pursuing God (no, I don’t worship food . . . hopefully anyway).  I long for moments in prayer when I feel connected to God's presence; He is always near waiting for me to talk with Him.  When singing worship songs, I am comfortable resting and trusting in His presence and don’t want to leave, so the song in my heart ripples into my day.  Being challenged by the Truth of God's Word guides me to desire more of Him, thus the deeper pursuit of what Truth means. 

I have started to reread one of my favorite classic Christian living books, The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer. His writing is very rich, and I can’t get past the preface!  I have even been stumped by a quote on the back of the book!  “During a train trip from Chicago to Texas in the late 1940’s, Tozer began to write The Pursuit of God.  He wrote all night, the words coming to him as fast as he could put them down.  When the train pulled into McAllen, the rough draft was done.  Although written in such a remarkably short period of time, the depth, clarity and completeness of Tozer’s message has made (this book) an enduring favorite.”  I enjoy writing, but I wonder if there is enough in my heart to spill onto pages for a complete night.  Would the words come so profoundly as Tozer’s?  I think not!  Consequently, I marvel at his depth of insight into what it really means to live pursuing God. 

What I’ve learned from his writing in the preface is the remedy for revival in our hearts is a thirst and hunger after God.  We need to be eager for spiritual Truth and pursue it above all else.  As seasoned hearts are renewed in faith in Christ, the wonder of our relationship with Him is "recaptured."  For others, their pursuit of Christ will begin and their lives will be forever transformed.  Our pursuit of God should be what we live for!  Tasting the sweet presence of the love of Christ should compel us further, deeper to investigate that love and truly taste Him.

The simple and predictable longing of my heart is to love God, know Him, and make Him known.  This I hunger and thirst for.  God is my favorite person!  When people observe my life, I want them to notice that I am consistent and, yes, predictable in my pursuit of God, no matter what comes my way.  True enjoyment in life is a treasure, and I want to savor the joy I have in my relationship with the One who loves me most.  

I’ve tasted God, and He is good, but there’s more to sample and trust.  This is life's greatest adventure! 

Jesus Prays for Me and You

Have you read John 17 lately?  If not, do so, and reflect with me here.  Picture it.

Before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus prayed his longest recorded prayer.  He first briefly prayed for himself.  His eyes penetrated the sky above in unassuming authority, the disciples nearby observed; Jesus raised his voice and reminded the Father of his imminent purpose.  Christ’s humble mission was about to be fulfilled.  Through Jesus’ death, all believers would gain eternal life.   His work on earth was soon to be completed. 

Jesus’ prayer then centered on those who would benefit from His purpose, those whom the Father had given him, his disciples.  They were the Father’s gift to the Son.  The disciples had been equipped, they had accepted God’s words, and they believed in Jesus’ divinity.  They finally understood the Father was at work.  And Jesus says, “I pray for them…” (Verse 9)  They were to remain in the world and Jesus’ plea is for their protection and unity.  As Jesus had been sent by the Father, Jesus now sent them into the world.  It is on earth that our work is done for the cause of Christ, and the disciples were commissioned to chart the course that would transform the world. 

Submissively poised, Jesus continued, reaching deeper into eternity’s purpose.  He prayed for me and you.  As his eyes seemed lost in the expanse above, generations beyond his present surroundings became crystal clear.  Multitudes would eternally benefit and gain the holy inheritance of salvation.  Jesus’ eyes became fixed and determined.  Our lives were in full view.      

 “My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (Verses 20-21) 

I wonder if Jesus’s voice broke with emotion as he thought of the generations to come.  Or possibly, a tender smile and twinkle in his eyes revealed his loving countenance.  Maybe he thought of me and pictured my worship at the throne of grace. Maybe he saw the pain I would endure on the earth, yet observed his glory shining through my life as I trusted him in the pain.  His mission on earth had come to an end, yet eternity’s conversion was just beginning, and we were on his heart.

I am thankful today that I have been a beneficiary of an ancient prayer, an eternal purpose, and a divine encounter with the One whose thoughts dwell on my life every moment.  May I have such purpose in life as to pray as Jesus prayed; for God’s purposes to be proclaimed in me and to generations to come.  May my gaze into heaven be steady, resolved, unwavering, and meek.  May I see as Jesus sees; generations needy of a loving Savior.

Thank you, Jesus, for praying for me.  I have always been and will always be your treasure.  May I continue to cultivate trust in your tender, loving, faithful, and penetrating gaze upon me.

 

Beginning

I'm on a mission in this life . . . to love and trust God in every circumstance, every decision, every question and concern, and every victory this side of heaven.  Sharing what God does in my heart comes easily on paper.  I've been told that I should write.  Well, I love to write!  So, this is the beginning of a simple person's attempt at sharing her heart's treasures, struggles, questions, and revelations with those that may share in the same mission.  Is trusting God easy?  I must admit that I have to answer "No!"  But, it is my privilege and joy!  Cultivating trust is a process, it is continual, and it is fruitful and fulfilling.  The mission continues . . . to God be the glory for the great things He has done, is doing, and will do.