"those who belong to Christ Jesus have
nailed the
passions and desires of their
sinful nature to His cross
and crucified them there"
Galatians 5:24
how amazing to ponder
the love of the cross
the deep
the wide
the high
the long
the all-encompassing
love which led Him there
which held Him there
a love stretching as far as
eastern horizon shimmering as day dawns
to western horizon blazing as dusk falls
a love so passionate as to allow my sin
to collide
with His grace
at His cross
a love which restores
renews
redeems
with no help
from me
yet...
"those who belong to Christ Jesus have
nailed the
passions and desires of their
sinful nature to His cross
and crucified them there"
words powerful
words compelling
for although nothing I do can earn or deserve
that love so passionate
I can give my gratitude
by living His love
in sweet selfless surrender
as I nail to that cross so rugged
my selfishness
my stubbornness
my pride
and all that is of me
and not of Him
all this I do so imperfectly
yet when my Abba sees me
through the cross of His Son
He sees perfection...
purely white and spotless
and my response can only be
where the whole realm of nature mine
that were an offering far too small
love so amazing so divine
demands my soul
my life
my all!
when you think you know how to trust
you are really relying on yourself
when you think you are not proud
you are farther than ever from humility
when you think you have reached a level of maturity
you are living an illusion
the common denominator in all?
when I think....
when I think I know something
when I think I've reached something
anything in which "I" is central
is destined to failure
oh how clearly He speaks
"My beloved,
you are anxious and peaceless
as you attempt to
control that which
is so far from within
your control
instead of seeking My peace
My presence
you seek answers
you seek questions
that you might answer
and the more you think
the more confusion results
your spirit anxious
and
joy
has
slipped
between
your fingers
the harder you attempt to grasp
that which is not graspable
the farther away it slips
do you realize, My child,
that the enemy of your spirit is at work?
he cannot steal you from Me....
your life is forever Mine
as was sealed on
My cross
but oh he can steal your joy
your peace
your sense of
well being and contentment
turn toward Me, My beloved
look in My eyes
see the love overflowing
come back to the warmth of My arms
trust that I truly have only beauty planned for you
knowing that beauty has many faces
many facets
many colors
many designs
and that I will bring that
beauty to fruition in My time"
He promises peace
yet I let my mind worry
He promises plans for good
yet I ponder the bad
He promises that He knows the results
He promises that He knows the outcome
yet I analyze
I jump ahead
I try to right
problems
before they exist
I try to fix what is not mine to
fix
I allow my mind to race
my heart to pound
when all is in
His hands
I allow that over which I have
no control
to distract
from pink boots
umbrellas frozen
lego houses
dandelions fluffy
crayons and princesses
perfect peace He offers
if only I will receive
as I look at the pictures I took of
granddaughter precious
I am reminded that life is
so precious
each moment
to be cherished
and I will.
the Lord is my shepherd I lack nothing
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters
He refreshes my soul
He guides me along the right paths
for His name's sake
even though I walk
through the darkest valley
I will fear no evil
for You are with me
Your rod and Your staff
they comfort me
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies
You anoint my head with oil
my cup overflows
surely Your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever
My child,
you run and run and run
you seek something
anything
to fill the emptiness
at times unaware
you even run or seek
you search for meaning
you search for purpose
you search for identity
you search for that which will give you
peace so elusive
that for which you long
simply cannot be found
in this world
as you quiet your heart and spirit, listen...
I am your shepherd
and because I am your shepherd
you lack nothing
nothing means nothing
nothing cannot be added to nothing
or taken away from nothing
or it will no longer be
nothing
when you take time to simply be
when you look for the quiet places
when you spend time by the still waters
you will sense My nearness
when you listen
without talking
you will hear Me speak
in clarity you never
dreamed possible
as you come to know My voice
the dark seems not so dark
the valley seems not so deep
you will find that you will hear
My voice in places
least expected
I am always speaking
always whispering
always calling
always inviting you
to be with Me
to worship Me
the more you are with Me
the more clearly you will see...
although you will dwell with Me
forever in heaven
you can dwell with Me now as well
the longer you linger
the more contented
the more peaceful
the more joy-filled
will be your heart
and that heart will
lack nothing
even when life swirls around
for I am with you
and I am enough.
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