I relaxed on the gentle slope alongside the river flowing through the mountain valley. Cupping my knees with my arms, I looked out across the liquid ribbon streaming in front of me — its beginning and end I knew not.
Its Creator, though, I know well.
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Lord, You never slumber, nor sleep. And I’ve learned that Your eyes roam to and fro across the earth seeking after those who love You and need to be encouraged. I know You’re trying to comfort me, to lead me, to give me peace, but I can’t hear You. Open my ears Lord, there’s too much noise distracting me.
I am amazed how You pursue Your children with Your love.
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Remnants of snow lay heavy on the stark branches of winter. A faint glow in the eastern sky spoke of the awakening dawn pushing against the blanket of clouds covering the earth.
Stillness. Quiet.
Just moments earlier I had asked the Lord to quiet me with His love — to still my restless thoughts where anxiety lay.
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I love You, Lord. I am astounded by Your goodness to me, Your faithfulness that reaches to the heavens. And yet, I’m overwhelmed. Will You fill my hungry soul Lord?
Like deep calls to deep, I call to You as difficulty washes over me. I know You won’t let me drown, and yet some days I feel like I’m gasping for air. The enemy’s taunts are relentless, his lies often believable. His flaming arrows hurt, and my arm grows weary from lifting high my shield of faith.
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Lord, the Christmas bells are still ringing, twinkling lights still dot the landscape. Sanctuaries still announce Your birth with red, gold, and silver raiment laced through the evergreens, and yet a spirit of heaviness weighs me and many others down. I need a breakthrough of joy, Lord. Rescue me from this sadness.
It has no rhyme or reason — this sadness. It just is. Perhaps it’s an accumulation of sadness — sorrow upon sorrow until now it is beginning to consume me.
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Lord, I am so thankful that when I walk thorough the fire, I won’t be burned because You are with me. When I walk through the turbulent water, I won’t drown because You will carry me safely to the other side. I believe this, and yet my heart is struggling. Please quiet me with Your love Lord.
Your peace is all about me and settles me in my times of need — but I’m struggling beneath the burdens of others. I see their pain, the injustices, the devastation of lives lost, and my heart breaks. I want to fix it for them, but I can’t.
You can, Lord.
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Lord, I sense Your presence, Your delicate whisper calling my name. I know that in Your presence is joy unspeakable. In Your presence is perfect peace. Peace is a gift, Lord. Your gift … but I’m overwhelmed.
Steady my heart to receive Your gift. Guide me to stillness away from the chaos where beneath the light of Your glory I might unwrap Your gift of peace and clasp it to my heart.
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Lord, I know You have called me to be holy as You are holy — to represent You well. You have called me to be Your image-bearer to this fallen world. I long to be Your hands and feet, but I also know that requires sanctification. I want you to sanctify me Lord, truly I do — but does it have to be right now?
Sanctification requires dying to self, yielding to You at ALL times not just when it feel good. Being set apart for Your glory and for Your kingdom work requires pruning and sculpting … and LOTS of grace.
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The evening sky burned with the fiery orange of a setting sun, reflecting the anguish within me. I watched as God’s consuming fire seemed to melt away the hard edges of the day. Colors intense. Brilliant. Ablaze. I found myself caught up in its glory while I wrestled with how to have a thankful heart in my difficult places.
My wrestling led me to the Lord.
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Wounds of the heart can grow bitterness. Ugliness. Anguish, or distress.
Or … wounds of the heart can grow good seeds of grain, crushed to produce life-giving bread to feed others. Deep faith can grow with roots steady and strong. Eyes can open to see abounding grace and the abiding presence of the Lord.
It’s a choice.
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Lord, steady my heart. Lead me in paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake, for the world has gone mad and the darkness grows. Awaken the dawn, Lord …
Because of Your mercy and goodness, please awaken the dawn.
You are the Light of the world ! I am Your Light-bearer. Forgive me when I allow my light to grow dim.
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Oyster gray was the color of the afternoon — the sky, my thoughts, and my heart. It was as though dullness permeated everything about me and all that lay within me. Why does depression make me feel separated from God?
Oh, for sure I knew He hadn’t gone anywhere — in fact I knew according to His promise He had drawn nearer to me in my depression. But I found myself walking according to my feelings and not according to His Truth.
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