in the eye of the storm. or perhaps in the storm. one quiet. one chaos. one still. one raging. polar opposites... or so it would seem. and it would seem rather obvious which of the spaces you or I occupy at a given time. maybe. or is it possible to remain in the place of still and quiet no matter which space you occupy? "But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat." Isaiah 25:4 does being wrapped in His peace mean that you are in the eye of the storm or could it mean that you are in the storm so fierce, yet have found a shelter a refuge secure? and conversely, does feeling torn as the wind so relentless threatens to tear away the hope to which you cling imply you have lost the place of His refuge? and probing deeper still, could being in that place of His still, quiet refuge, suggest you have given up or that you no longer care about the storm raging on or about those you love who perhaps swirl in their own storms within the larger storm in which you are swirling? far more questions than answers, yet His promises remain true...
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." Psalm 91:1-2
"I will bless My people and their homes around My holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessings." Ezekiel 34:26
drop by drop they fall. showers gently caressing. restoring. refreshing. replenishing. often when least expected and always undeserved. for grace is in and of itself completely undeserved. His grace falls like rain. His gifts fall like rain. His love falls like rain. His blessings fall like rain. showers of blessings. each step brings more wetness. each step brings a greater sense of awe. awe and wonder just to think of the love of the care of the hope Jesus Himself showers down. then to think of the many who come around and surround with arms and hands and words and prayers.
that is the beauty of community. that is the beauty of fellowship. for just as the Father loves His Son, His Son loves His Father. and as His Spirit loves both Father and Son, so Father and Son love His Spirit. and the circle is unbroken. no chain of command. no hierarchy. just love and relationship. and this is the gift so incomprehensible to human mind and heart. for as we love with that love so extravagant, we are drawn into that circle so unbroken. not for sake of need, for how can 3 in 1 not already be complete? no...it is for sake of want and desire and love of the ones created in His image. us. and as He showers us with His blessings, we in turn are to be gentle showers of blessings to all around us. this is relationship. this is community. this is church. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations for ever and ever! Amen Ephesians 3:20-21
day by day I am learning. and the learning curve is quite steep in my case, for I have a tendency to ask the same question even when I already know the answer. and what is the question? how can one find that ever elusive place of contentment and peace? and once found, how can one remain in that place?
oh how we humans search. and search. and search some more. for does not every person long for that place of all is well no matter what?
and I am learning still to live each day with this assurance: He is enough. I need no more if He is enough. and because He is indeed enough, I need no more. nothing taken away can crush. and that contentment and peace will securely wrap and enfold even the deepest, darkest dark night of the soul. for this is our Abba. "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13
"do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. when you go through deep waters, I will be with you. when you go though rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. when you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up, the flames will not consume you... because you are precious to Me. you are honored and I love you." Isaiah 43:1-2, 4b
have you ever felt certain you will both drown and burn? that you will indeed be consumed? I have. and His whisper pierces the water and flame: "I am with you as the current pulls. I am with you as the flames burn. I am with you always for I AM. My beloved child, seasons exist when you simply must believe that which you cannot feel. when sorrow or grief or depression or fear or anxiety threaten to overwhelm, picture My hands holding you close and guiding your steps through the waters raging. through the flames threatening. O My child, I. know. your. name! you. are. Mine!
this one thing I ask of you as you fall into My arms: surrender to My grace. give your semblance of and your attempts and your desires to control and solve and fix all which you regard as broken or tangled or confused or wrong or evil into My hands, for who but Myself can determine what is good or evil? and the more you try on your own to navigate the rapids or extinguish the flames, the further away you are actually pushing Me. O My child, you simply cannot see what I see! you do not know My plans My purposes. the water so deep so powerful drives you closer to My heart. flames leave ashes and scorched land so barren, yet new life grows up through what appears to be dead and lifeless.
