Ok, so taking a looksy at Psalm 23- something, in particular, is jumping out today! We find David referencing a number of different places at which his relationship with God is acknowledged:
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6 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.
I'm here. I'm aware. I'm engaged.- This is what I hear from the Lord upon my heart today.
Note that in these six very different locations highlighted above, our Shepherd's involvement is ACTIVE. He IS engaged. He IS aware. He IS moving and acting and changing and allowing and guiding and blessing and providing, and comforting, and preparing, and pursuing! Wow, talk about active! He is full on/all the way, right? And it's not just in one type of atmosphere!
What's impressed upon my heart today is this: Often I feel an obligation to move and act and frantically wave my arms for attention from The King. I work and strive and try to impress, just hoping for his praise and love and adornment... hoping He'll notice and acknowledge me so that I might feel worth where I'm at.. So that I might get a word from Him. So that I might feel that I've done enough for Him to want to truly engage with me today. -->ERRRRR--- > Yikes- red light! Gotta stop here.
Seriously????? This is blatant false perspective. And it amazes me how long I spend in this frame of mind. The real truth says:
"I am your refuge and strength- an ever-present help in time of need." (see ps. 46:1)
I know when you sit and when you rise; I perceive your thoughts from afar.
I discern your going out and your lying down; I am familiar with all your ways.
Before a word is your my tongue I, Lord, know it completely.
I hem you in behind and before, and I lay my hand upon you.
Where can you flee from my presence?
Where can you go from my Spirit?
If you go up to the heavens, I am there;
if you make your bed in the depths, I am there. (see ps.139)
Loud and clear resounds: I AM INTIMATE!!!! I am close!!! I am aware!!! I am in love with you! Will you come and listen to me speak truth over you? For the waving of your arms and striving for some form of attention is a loss if you don't realize I'm already with you. I'm already devoted. I'm already aware. I'm already invested. Listen. Quiet soul, just listen. For I am making streams in the desert and providing insight and wisdom of great depths. You are trying to prove yourself and that keeps you from me- it keeps you focused on you.
Listen and hear: "Grace..."
I call to you.
Anywhere you are- I can intervene. In the library, car, bookstore, classroom, workplace, bedroom, friend's house, church, grocery store, street, mall, kitchen. Believe. Let go.
And just listen...
I love you. I want you. I hear your prayers. Invest your heart for, in me, you will always find reward. Let go!
Reader, my prayer for you is that you, too, find yourself listening to God speak.
Grace
(*Note: Above is parts from Psalm 139. I flipped all the I's and You's to read it as if God were speaking to me, instead of the psalmist speaking to God. Please note that the scripture IS written as the Psalmist to the Lord. And don't take this the wrong way, I'm in no way trying to alter the Word of God- I do believe all scripture is God- breathed- and David scribed them. This is an exercise to help receive the truth and gain healthy perspective of relationship with God and the truth of how He sees you and me.)
No comments:
Post a Comment