DebraBee

My Father’s voice is everywhere, outward and inward. I hear it when awake and in my sleep. It engulfs me. I hear Him in movies, songs and from the mouths of those around me. He gives me wisdom to sift out the noise trying to drown His words. Only His voice can wrap me up in truth to comfort and watch over me. My desire is to talk only with my Father’s voice. Anything else is just sharing words of empty air.

My feet walked about two major cities of our culture these past couple of weeks. In all the outward beauty, I sorrowed in the emptiness. Artists, craftsmen, teachers, judges and rulers had combined their precious gifts to build a world devoid of truth. They encouraged the people to soar without wings of worth. Persons were encouraged to extend their hands to clap in praise of their own accomplishments. Where self-flattery failed, in its place were fear and terror for the false gods of old; fables and tales driving them to give away their very inheritance; truth.

2 Thes 2:4 (CEV) He will brag and oppose everything that is holy or sacred. He will even sit in God’s temple and claim to be God

Sitting at my table I drank my water. I had been out alone and feeling thirsty, and I stopped to refresh myself. I had never been to this inviting place but its alluring music drew me inside.  The décor was easy with palm trees and wisteria vines making it feel like a hidden oasis. I didn’t know the songs playing and each of them echoed in my head with fascination.

Across the patio I noticed a man staring at me intensely. He was incredibly handsome and our eyes met momentarily. He smiled to acknowledge he’d seen me. Quickly turning away, I felt my face cheeks grow hot at his gaze. I looked down at the ice in my glass and tried to ignore this glimpse.

Within minutes the man came to stand at my table. I felt awkward and inexperienced by such attention. He smiled down at me and I couldn’t remember seeing such perfection in a smile. Up close he was even more handsome, and I could feel my heart race wondering why he’d notice me. Introducing himself, he shared his name to be Armi. In my curiosity I asked if it was a nickname to which he shared it to be from Armers. He invited himself to sit down at my table.

For the next few hours I listened to Armi speak to me. My head began to swim just hearing his voice. I swooned to hear his words of flattery, feeling intoxicated by his talk. The music in the background added to the enticement of his words. While my head felt as if I was inside of a fog bank, my chest began to hurt. With each passing minute the pain increased. Soon I could no longer hear Armi speaking; I could only feel the agony in my chest.

Closing my eyes, I reached to put my fingers in my ears, not caring what I looked like. I could feel a wind come into this seeming oasis, shifting the very atmosphere where I sat. Minutes passed and Armi’s fading voice hollered at me to come with him. Keeping my eyes closed, I spoke aloud, “You would entice me with flattery, temptations of beauty, influence and every kind of attraction to my soul. I must close my eyes to you because you are uninvited and simply not allowed.”

Gen 6:2…the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose

Do not be afraid. Do not fear. When I read these statements in the bible they make me tremble, but also comfort me. It’s clear by their repetition in the Word we are meant to understand their inference. We are going to face places in our lives where our challenges will bring fear enough to be afraid.

I am encouraged by these repeated instructions. They assure me. In the moments I will both fear and be afraid, I will also be strengthened to endure by the Lord Himself.

Psalm 18:32 You give me strength and guide me right

The eyes looked into deep darkness and wept. The voice spoke words few would receive. The hands reaching out met resistance to be touched. The nose could smell an acrid scent. The taste of the tongue was bitter.

Jesus wanted us more than we wanted Him and despite the testimony of our rebellious natures, He still chose to give us His life. His heart broke open and He poured the balm of His love out to soothe all the wounds of the world. Hope was restored in His mercy and compassion.

Imagine if you will a game of magic. You come to the table expecting a trick and view it as entertainment. The magician does not disguise who he is. He puts before you the cards or shells you anticipate because you have seen them before. He shuffles, and while waiting you are being entertained by the knowledge of your guessing.

Now letting go of imagination, realize the truth. The magician has used guile to entertain you. While he was showing you what you were expecting to see, he was doing his best magic ever, keeping you occupied in guessing.

Magic defined – the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, the art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of incantation or various other techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the forces of nature, power or influence exerted through this art

Faith was the beckoning light in the darkest of night. Hope offered the rope needed to pull me from the depths of a well too deep to climb out of. Love healed wounds cut so deep no pharmacology could numb the pain. This is my testimony I must declare from rooftops over and over again. If I don’t, I deny who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for me.

1 Cor 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Thes 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

Mat 10:27 Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you.

The man was beside himself with renewed hope. I had stepped back from him momentarily to be quiet and listen to what was in his heart. He was weeping some and expressing his gratitude to those of us who had prayed for him. One by one he hugged the others who were in the room. Turning to me I was surprised by the way he wrapped his arms so tightly around me. Expecting him to quickly release me I started to pull away, but he held me still, not letting go.

He began to speak to me tenderly with a father’s voice. He shared with me what a lovely daughter I was and how much I was loved. In that moment I heard my heavenly Father’s voice so clearly. It felt like such a long time this man held me in his arms. Nothing about his hug was untoward; it was just a Father’s love. Inwardly my heart melted knowing the Lord Himself was hugging me.

Unmerited favor came to my doorstep, just a knock I answered. There at my feet lay a gift I didn’t ask for, nor had I done a thing to deserve it. The Lord’s hand alone was at work in my life. All I had to do was receive His gift. I picked it up and unwrapped its content. The beauty of His creation took my breath away.

I again lay myself down at His feet, bowing as low as I could get. Understanding I could offer Him nothing in return for His gift, I offered the tears and sobs of my grateful heart.

* Artwork by Jodi Lee Gasner, “Amber Autumn Aspen”

I let the water run momentarily watching this beautiful gift of God. Water fed every need for our planet and our bodies, without it nothing could exist. Sun rays bounced off the water so brightly it hurt my eyes, but I wasn’t ready to look away. Cupping my hands I reached into the flowing stream. Holding the small pool in my palms I marveled about our Creator. Everything I touched of His creation was like touching a part of Him. I raised my hands to my face feeling His splash of refreshment.