faithfulness

Candlelight & Jesus

~ Extravagant Hope ~ Leave a comment

Psalm 91:4 NIV

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Up early, drinking that beautiful first cup of morning coffee, I savor being alone before the demands of the day start fussing and insisting on attention. The soft light from a few brightly glowing candles is soothing and peaceful.

As I listen to the world wake up, I notice how easily the candlelight sways and pulls toward any disturbance in the air. The little lights struggle to stay lit, bouncing and fluttering with the whims of the draft. They are helpless to move, shift, or regain equilibrium on their own.

Watching the brave dancing of the candlelight brings to mind Psalm 91. Aren’t we often like these confident candles? We burn bright, strong, and lovely when things are calm and no disturbances surround us. We are proud and sure of ourselves and our world.

But…drafts happen. Gusts of change, storms of conflict, gales of fear, and the cold winds of diagnoses come, often suddenly, leaving us ill-prepared and helpless. We blow around in the confusion and anxiety, fearful that our light will snuff out; that we won’t stay steady on our own.

Sitting at my kitchen table, hot coffee warming my hands, I remember the times I’ve been tossed, thrashed, and shaken by gusts and gales that blindsided me. The feeling of being lost, alone, and defenseless is such a frightening and lonely place to be. But I also remember His voice echoing through the chaos and breaking through the whims of the wind, as I simply breathed His name – “Jesus, help me.”

When you call out to Him, even if your voice is but a raspy whisper, Jesus hears. He is there in the gentle brush of feathers along your cheek and the hush of being wrapped up tightly in wings of safety and peace. He is there as the scent of heaven surrounds you. You are sheltered, protected, and delivered from the chaos and debris that the world and wounds of humanity throw fast and hard.

Jesus is faithful. Jesus is good. He is the one who rebukes the fickle winds of chaos that always come as part of living on Earth.

We can’t save ourselves. He came to do that. Emmanuel, God with us. Always. Everywhere.

You are His treasure. Peace be with you.

Photo credit: Luidmyla Shalimova

Go Gently

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Go Gently

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  Philippians 4:4

Go gently into the world today; gentle with yourself and gentle with others.

Go gently as your day unfolds; watch and see who He places in your path.

Go gently letting Kindness guide you, as He opens doors of opportunity to react with softness and tenderness in a world that is suffering, harsh and rough.

Go gently letting Goodness be your guide, as you bump against those facing pain, loss and trials beyond your understanding.

Go gently letting Peace direct your steps, as you navigate a world full of anger, hurt, and division.

Go gently letting Joy take you on a journey of delightful surprises, unexpected beauty and infectious hope that spills and washes over those you encounter.

Go gently letting Love permeate your words and actions as you interact with another who is greatly and extravagantly loved by the Father.

Go gently letting Patience fill you up as you pray for endurance and perseverance for the one struggling to keep up, fearing they will never be enough.

Go gently letting Self-Control infuse you with strength and discernment as temptations and distractions attempt to pierce and blindside as the enemy slithers and prowls.

Go gently letting Faithfulness and devotion keep you in tune with the heart of the Father as you sit at His feet, quench your thirst with Life giving water and feast at His banqueting table.

Go gently, the Lord is near.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)