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.
do not be afraid, My child.
you are not alone.
