We now have this
light shining in our
hearts, but we
ourselves
are like
fragile
clay jars
containing this
great treasure.
This makes it
clear that our
great power is
from God, not
from ourselves.
We are pressed
on every side
by troubles,
but we are
not crushed.
We are perplexed,
but not driven to
despair.
We are
hunted
down,
but never
abandoned
by God.
We get knocked
down, but we are
not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
those seasons.
you know,
the ones
when
nothing.
makes.
sense.
when up
feels down
and down
feels up.
when all
appears
hopeless
and lost.
when the
dream
dared
to be
dreamed
lies in
pieces
on
the
ground.
when
love
is not
reciprocated.
when
illness
or accident
or other
tragedy
strikes.
when
a grave
freshly
dug is
reality.
when. faith. is. tested.
how does one
hold onto hope?
how does one
have a faith
able to
stand
strong
in chaos?
for this heart
beating inside
this chest, the
only answer is
my God.
my Abba.
He helps
me stand.
He holds
me up.
He reminds
me that if
He is my all
(which He is)
than nothing
can be taken
from me or
done to me
that can
destroy
me.
because
He is
enough.
pain is still painful.
heartache still aches.
tears still fall.
yet His arms
hold tightly
and His love
carries,
enfolds,
embraces,
protects,
and pursues.
always and forever.
.
dear struggling heart,
have you
noticed
that life
has a
rhythm?
that
your
life
has
its own
rhythm?
when life
is smooth,
when the
water is
calm and
the wind
but
a
whisper,
rhythm
often
goes
unnoticed.
but when
the waves
are
pulling
you in
all
directions
at the
same
time
and the
wind
threatens
to sweep
you off your
feet,
you notice.
rhythm
suddenly
grabs
your
attention.
your heart
beats wildly
while your
mind races.
now what?
how do you
regain a
sense
of
stability?
how do you
feel the warmth
of spring's sun when
the clouds refuse to part?
remember, heart,
it is not what you
do or do not do
as much as
wrapping
yourself
around
this truth:
no matter the
chaos or storm
which swirls
life's rhythm
into a blur of
wild meters,
a heartbeat
underlies all.
steady,
strong,
sure.
that is
the beat
of your
Shepherd's
heart.
and no
rhythm
can alter
that beat
underlying!
David understood storms and chaos.
these are the words he penned
as his Shepherd whispered to
his heart:
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD
forever.
Psalm 23
so what's a heart to do?
what's a heart to do
with the chaos of war unceasing
and children dying
and babies starving
and boys and girls
sold into slavery
and moms and dads
seeing no way out
other than leave
all they know and
flee with their little
ones into the dark of
night
not knowing
to where
they flee.
not knowing
if where they
end up will be
better or worse,
safer or more
dangerous then
what they
left behind.
or if a place
and people
willing to
help
even
exists.
seriously.
what's a heart to do?
and closer to home?
addiction
runs rampant
over lives and hearts,
the destructive
force like a
tidal wave,
sweeping over
families and
individuals.
and addiction has no corner on
the market for pain, for
hearts still shatter.
death still steals.
dreams still die.
jobs still vanish.
illness still strikes.
hopelessness still invades.
so what's a heart to do?
how can one
little heart
look evil in
the face or
stare disease
right in the eyes
and not crumple
in a heap on the
floor with
despair
or freeze
in fear?
how can one
little life begin
to make a
difference
in a battle
so fierce?
for it is a battle.
and the battle
is not in the
realm of
what we see
with our eyes,
although the
effects are oh so
visible.
no. we fight
a battle and
and enemy
in the unseen.
but he is real.
and on our own,
crumpling
on the
floor
or running
would seem
the logical
choice.
but we are not alone.
"A final word:
Be strong in the Lord
and in his
mighty power.
Put on all of
God's armor
so that you
will be able
to stand firm
against
all strategies
of the devil.
For we are
not fighting
against flesh
and blood
enemies,
but against
evil rulers
and authorities
of the unseen world,
against
mighty powers
in this dark world,
and against
evil spirits
in the
heavenly places.
Pray in the Spirit
at all times and
on every
occasion."
Ephesians 6:10-12,18
the battle truly
is not ours
to fight,
for the
victory
is already
won.
yet
we are called
to fight...
just not
in our own
strength.
and sometimes
fighting means
getting hands
dirty and
touching
the untouchable
and being a voice
for the voiceless
and standing up
for the one
whose
strength
is gone.
and pray.
pray always.
and remember:
sometimes
the right thing
is inconvenient.
and Jesus Himself says,
"I tell you the truth,
when you did it to
one of the least of
these my brothers
and sisters, you
were doing it
to me!"
Matthew 25:40
