"You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence." Psalm 16:11
Being in the presence of God can be scary, terrifying and some thing not all desired by those of us who have something to fear. Haven't we heard that the lion is not tame (a hundred times)? Haven't we been asked the question who can stand before God and live, in that rhetorical way that implies no one, no, not one? Who can? Anyone? Anyone?
What about draw near to Me and I will draw near to you?
We are desired of God. He longs for us to be with him, to spend time with him. Not just in homage but talking, laughing, dancing, singing, working, walking, playing, resting. We are invited in through the blood of Jesus that is greater than all our sins. That made a way for us to enter in.
This is what I read in the notes of my bible this morning:
"The resurrection of Christ means that his sacrifice for sin was acceptable to God, so we can be forgiven. It means that our Savior is alive and active, able to help us in times of need...."
So what does that mean for us? It means we should not run and hide from the presence of God in fear. He runs after us not read us a litany of failures and disappointment. His plans are not to cause us to winge and whine about we've done or not done. He is pursuing us to be with us, because he loves us.
Fear not for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God. Unafraid, bold as Peter and Paul, loving and encouraging and strengthening others, dwelling in the secret place, walking hand in hand with the spirit to bring Heaven to earth to transform the fearful, broken people all around us. Its not hard. It doesn't require a great deal of effort. In the midst of all that comes our way ....
we must live like forgiven people!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sunday, July 24, 2011
A lie exposed....A truth revealed!
God revealed a lie I had been believing and then set me free with the truth this weekend. He told me that I had been working to establish my righteousness but my righteousness has already been established and I really didn't need to work to establish it. It didn't make the impact it should have so he showed me this picture.
I saw a group of children playing along a river beside a large bridge (I couldn't even see the full expanse of the bridge at this point.) One of the little boys shouted "Hey let's build this bridge." So they all started carrying rocks over to one of the supports. Laughing and talking and playing as children do they brought stones and rocks, sticks and wood. But after a while the children began to move further on down the river continuing in their play. You could hear the sound of their fun but over by the support was one little girl. She continued to bring rocks and stones. Time passed and she continued to work. She would glance over her shoulder to where the other children were having so much fun from time to time as she worked diligently. The day wore on. As it became later in the day her father called to hers. She was tired and dirty. Her fingers raw and sore, her clothes ripped, tears in her eyes.
"Come on baby its time to go" he called to her. She shook her head.
"I can't go Daddy I have to build this bridge." She said in her trembling little voice.
He came closer. "Baby the bridge is already built come on." He said tenderly.
She shook her head. "Daddy no," she cried. "I have to build this bridge. Don't you understand how important it is? People will be hurt. Bad things will happen I have to stay and build this bridge." She began to sob because the task was clearly to great for her.
He picked her up and held her close and carried her a little ways down the river. "Look baby," She looked up and there was a bridge as large as the Golden Gate Bridge stretching across the expanse of a great river. "Look the bridge is already established, nothing you can do will build it, nothing you can do can tear it." Then God spoke clearly to me "Your righteousness is already established you do not need to earn it. It is broader than that bridge - it is stronger and wider and your efforts will only make you weary and worn out. Walk boldly in the righteousness I have already established for you. Stop working and come and be with me, come play by the river with me."
I saw a group of children playing along a river beside a large bridge (I couldn't even see the full expanse of the bridge at this point.) One of the little boys shouted "Hey let's build this bridge." So they all started carrying rocks over to one of the supports. Laughing and talking and playing as children do they brought stones and rocks, sticks and wood. But after a while the children began to move further on down the river continuing in their play. You could hear the sound of their fun but over by the support was one little girl. She continued to bring rocks and stones. Time passed and she continued to work. She would glance over her shoulder to where the other children were having so much fun from time to time as she worked diligently. The day wore on. As it became later in the day her father called to hers. She was tired and dirty. Her fingers raw and sore, her clothes ripped, tears in her eyes.
"Come on baby its time to go" he called to her. She shook her head.
"I can't go Daddy I have to build this bridge." She said in her trembling little voice.
He came closer. "Baby the bridge is already built come on." He said tenderly.
She shook her head. "Daddy no," she cried. "I have to build this bridge. Don't you understand how important it is? People will be hurt. Bad things will happen I have to stay and build this bridge." She began to sob because the task was clearly to great for her.
He picked her up and held her close and carried her a little ways down the river. "Look baby," She looked up and there was a bridge as large as the Golden Gate Bridge stretching across the expanse of a great river. "Look the bridge is already established, nothing you can do will build it, nothing you can do can tear it." Then God spoke clearly to me "Your righteousness is already established you do not need to earn it. It is broader than that bridge - it is stronger and wider and your efforts will only make you weary and worn out. Walk boldly in the righteousness I have already established for you. Stop working and come and be with me, come play by the river with me."
Monday, July 4, 2011
What It Looks Like
The doors loom large and formidable. They are double bolted, wooden and heavy. I am certain that even if I pounded on them with all my might the sound would be muffled and barely detectable on the other side. There doesn't appear to be any sort of bell so I must have been correct in my assumptions that I was not welcome here. I had known in my heart that I really wasn't supposed to be here. I was not talented enough, or good enough, or brave enough, or smart enough. Whatever the key was to gain entrance here I just wasn't enough of to get in.
I turn to walk away and then pause. Something in the door itself catches my eye. I turn back and step closer to the door and touch it ever so tentatively and suddenly the door gently swings open. I stand there amazed. The people inside bid me to come on. They are so excited at my arrival that I turn to see if perhaps there is someone behind me, but no its just me. I consider the possibility that perhaps they have me confused with someone else. Again no, they insist that they are so glad that I am there.
Its been that way for me lately .... alot. As I've started to step out and use those gifts and talents that He's given me I've found that the doors are opening with just a gentle touch. Doors I thought would never be open to me. Not that its been all flowers and candy. I've felt like I've been up and down on a roller coaster - and at times the ride has made me feel pretty ill. Fortunately I've gained some tools so that when the lows hit (pretty quickly after the highs) I can use those tools and question the dark places. "What is the lie I'm believing?" I mutter to myself amidst the tears. The answer comes very quickly although it may take me a little while to process it all and feel better.
The doors are scary but I am assured of this one thing I don't have to open them, I don't have to pound my way in or prove my worth upon arrival. Someone has done that for me.
xoxo
g
I turn to walk away and then pause. Something in the door itself catches my eye. I turn back and step closer to the door and touch it ever so tentatively and suddenly the door gently swings open. I stand there amazed. The people inside bid me to come on. They are so excited at my arrival that I turn to see if perhaps there is someone behind me, but no its just me. I consider the possibility that perhaps they have me confused with someone else. Again no, they insist that they are so glad that I am there.
Its been that way for me lately .... alot. As I've started to step out and use those gifts and talents that He's given me I've found that the doors are opening with just a gentle touch. Doors I thought would never be open to me. Not that its been all flowers and candy. I've felt like I've been up and down on a roller coaster - and at times the ride has made me feel pretty ill. Fortunately I've gained some tools so that when the lows hit (pretty quickly after the highs) I can use those tools and question the dark places. "What is the lie I'm believing?" I mutter to myself amidst the tears. The answer comes very quickly although it may take me a little while to process it all and feel better.
The doors are scary but I am assured of this one thing I don't have to open them, I don't have to pound my way in or prove my worth upon arrival. Someone has done that for me.
xoxo
g
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