I put my hands on the pages, tenderly turning each one slowly while I beheld their beauty; my heart aching as I read the love letter written for me. Tears dropped onto the pages but I didn’t bother trying to stop them. It seemed appropriate to add them as notes alongside other passages written in the margins.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.
Jesus, speaking to His disciples said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come…” He then obediently surrendered Himself into the Father’s hand to die for us all; that we would be saved for all eternity.
I hear His voice even now saying the same thing to us disciples today, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come…” Now it’s our turn to follow the example to be obedient.
Scripture reference from Mark 14:41Years only add to my understanding for what love looks like. Love picks you up when you can’t stand. Love wraps itself around you when you don’t want to be held. Love is a mist when you feel as dry as the Sahara. Love is the mystery when you are presumptuous to think you have all the answers. Love is the invitation to go further than you want to. Love stands beside you when no one else will.
I heard someone speak a few days ago about a song for how love is a “many splendored thing”. Splendor was such a delicious word. It speaks of brilliant appearance, magnificence and grandeur. What better description of love than all things beautiful.
Waking up in the night, I sit upright in my bed. Everything is as I remember it to be when I went to sleep, but still there is a subtle shift I cannot define. Looking at the clock, it again reads 11:11. I see these numbers so often but the answers are not yet forthcoming. My heart feels wide awake and I wander into the kitchen for a drink of water. Looking out the window I see numerous stars and the light of a bright moon. I ask once more for the meaning and await the response of my Father.
A stranger came to stand upon the stoop of their dwelling place, his name was Change. She had called him to their door by prayer. Looking at Change through screened vision, she wondered if she could really welcome him into their home. How comfortable would she or her family be with Change? Would they welcome him or reject him? She lingered a bit, inspecting Change’s appearance. Reaching her hand forward to open all the locks, she gave him full access. In her heart she pondered where he would lead them and what they would have to leave behind in order to follow Change.
Mat 19:29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for My sake, will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
I met a man who was told his life was over. That was not what I saw in him. He had wisdom to share. He was still to teach from his life stories. He was sitting in front of me, a living and vibrant personality. I felt anger within at how others can dismiss the person who sits before them based on their human wisdom, on their scientific tests. These persons who dismissed so casually had never met the compassion, mercy or healing power of Jesus Christ. They did not know the power in His Name.
Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
I have prayed many times to be a “hidden” one. By hidden, I meant that I would not attract attention to myself. Every time I’ve prayed that has been sincere and a heart desire. Walking it out however has at times been painful. Being “invisible” when I live in a world of visible people takes its bite at anything I have going on for ego, ambition or pride. My being hidden only means the Christ in me takes center stage. He gets all the praise and all the glory. That’s as it should be.
Hearing my phone ring in the background somewhere in the house, I was glad I couldn’t hear the message. My feelings were quiet and wanting privacy for this time. An invitation had been extended and I had made a choice to accept. My Father wanted me to spend some time alone with Him; time without distraction.
While I sat still with Him I could feel my heart break for the number of times I had ignored this invitation for something I thought in the moment to be more important. Closing my eyes I saw a word come alive in my mind, “Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!”
Scripture from Song of Solomon 2:15I heard an artist speak about looking at clouds from both sides, up and down. A flood of memories came for the number of times I boarded a plane when the weather seemed so unfriendly, yet once we ascended up above the clouds I could see the sun again. It was a good reminder for the season I was navigating through.
Recent news and opinion bombardment via social networks brought to mind a song lyric, “with every word that you say, I feel my freedom slip away”.
I can only think about encouragement through the life of eagles. They rise high above and see so keenly. May we all be given such keen vision to see the reality of life’s truth.
