journey

Wilderness

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“For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.” Deuteronomy 29:5 NLT

Something about this tugged at my spirit as I read it.

The Lord led the Israelites for forty years through unforgiving desolate places. How exhausting, how defeating, how infuriating it must have felt a lot of the time as they battled sand, wild animals, and exhaustion on every level. They didn’t want to be in this fierce and untamed wilderness. It isn’t what they thought it would be when the Lord said He was rescuing them.

Yet…the goodness of God. For forty years He kept their shoes and clothing from wearing out. An absolute necessity for the areas they were traveling through to have good clothing to protect their skin and solid shoes to protect their feet as they walked the road He laid out for them.

He had to remind them of the ways He had protected them and looked out for their basic well-being.

Reading this verse gave me hope. Hope that this season I’m in has divine purpose. That I’m not forgotten in an untamed, desolate wilderness. I’m walking through what He knows I need to walk through whether or not I see the merit or understand the big picture of what this season will produce once I’m on the other side. There is another side. He is going with me, He’s before me, and surrounding me on all sides. He’s there for you in this way, too.

Hope and gratitude bubble up in my heart as I see that my shoes and clothes haven’t worn out yet. My feet can still move me forward, even at a limp sometimes, on this path that I often don’t like or want to be walking.

Looking beyond the frustrations, fear, and disappointments, I know without a doubt that He has shielded and protected me from far worse things. I’ve gotten glimpses of those things, people, and situations and I am so grateful He loves me enough to block, rebuke, and protect me from them. He filters every single thing that touches me or those I love through His scarred hands.

Wherever we are on our life journey, perhaps there’s room for some hope for what’s to come, and gratitude that our provision hasn’t run out, even when it doesn’t look like what we think it should. He is providing for us. Maybe we can look at where we are today with a different lens and find glimpses of His goodness, His kindness, and provision in unexpected places. Not to minimize or dismiss the hard things, but to bring hope, peace, and the knowledge of how deeply we are loved into the mix.

Photo credit: Charl Durand

Your Song

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A divine song was created just for you.

As the Creator spoke you into being, crafting every nuance of personality, eye color, and skin tone He sang over you as He put the finishing touches on His Masterpiece. He called you good, cherished, beloved, worthy. His child.

The song He sang swelled and flowed into your spirit infusing the tiniest parts of you with each note. It’s holy, mysterious, and unique. There is no other song like it – heavenly breath poured out over you, calling into being what wasn’t, into the divine purpose and plan He has just for you. There is no one like you. You are needed.

On an ordinary morning, as the sun rises over the hilltops you hear your song in the way the birds sing that one note that brings you such joy. Intentional.

You catch wisps of your song in the way the afternoon breeze shushes and sighs in the top of the Redwood trees – nature singing to you the very song He breathed into you. Peace.

On a dark summer evening the crackling and snapping of the campfire gentles your mind as your song fills you with safety. Rest.

The wild and fierce crashing of ocean waves onto rocks brings deep feelings of connection and reminders of His unrelenting love that follows after you always. You are seen.

Listen as you go about your days, in the sacred and the ordinary moments, for nature singing your song. He is everywhere and He is always with you. He causes creation to sing His love song to you and refreshes you with breezes that call to your spirit. Deep calls to deep as He sings to you in the silence when there are no words to speak. It is sacred. Mysterious, divine, holy.

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

Divine Encounters…

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Can You Hear Him?

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On a summer night when cricket symphonies lull and soothe as the moon sails high and pinprick stars wink…He whispers in dark, nocturnal rustlings with deep, supernatural words of mystery.

When the wind shushes and sighs through the Redwood canopy as you hike and soak in the forest…He whispers timeless songs of creation.

Opening your eyes as a new day starts, before the mad rush of living takes over and you savor your morning coffee…He whispers an invitation, “Come and talk with me.”

As you putter in the garden, trimming and admiring the flowers…He whispers promises of new life and a season of rebirth in the rich scent of turned earth.

When the day is done and your tired body falls into those in-between moments before you drift off to sleep…He whispers words of rest and speaks to you in your dreams.

Can you hear Him?

When your heart feels heavy, you retreat to the hidden bench under the willow branches that skim over the pond…His whispers of healing and hope perfume the air around you.

When the cruel, hurtful words sting your heart, and tears spill over and down your cheeks…He whispers songs of love and belonging. He captures each tear. You are His.

As waves crash along the lonely beach and you fling your deepest needs and fears to the relentless tides…His whispers become a divine exchange, taking your hurt and giving you Himself. He is enough.

Taking that first frightening, tentative step of faith into something new and unknown…He whispers courage and strength into your mind, spirit, and body. He is with you. Worry must flee.

With pain so deep and raw that you have no words or tears left…His whispers become intercession in heavenly languages, traveling straight to the Holy of Holies.

Can you hear Him?

When loved ones are far away and your mind is full of frightening thoughts and the chaos of the unknown…He whispers safety and protection. Their names are written on the palm of His hands. He speaks peace, and fear bows.

When the world is filled with injustice, cruelty, and division…He whispers compassion and authority—He is King. There are none before Him. Alpha and Omega.

When self-reliance has taken its toll and you finally unclench your fists and cry to Him in exhaustion…He whispers gentle songs of rest and comfort. All is well, He’s got this.

And…

On the lighter days, when the hurry is hushed and you sit under the apple tree, talking to Him, thanking Him, and whispering that you love Him, an incense of thankfulness, praise, and love rises and dances its way to His throne. As the sacred aroma swirls and fans around Him, He sings, shouts, and prophesies over you with blessings, peace, and joy. Can you hear Him?

Moonglow

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Thin, wispy clouds veil the bright moon as it sails high. The moonglow shining in the chilly air illuminates the garden casting eerie yet beautiful shadows – mysterious and exciting. The velvety black sky is the backdrop for the constellations and planets tossed into place by Your hands. Your divine fingerprints are everywhere. Your words continuously breathing life into all things – renewing, revealing, restoring.

The cold, bright moonlight falls across my pillow bathing my face in its glow. Chilly air puffs in through the partly open window above my bed. My thin quilt gives just enough warmth to be cozy and lovely. It feels peaceful and safe. I’m seen and known, even in seasons of darkness and shadows You will find me. The Light always pierces the darkness. Things unseen are always exposed by Your light. I’m never alone.

I drift off to sleep covered by moonlight, surrounded by Your whispers in the nighttime breeze. Your fingerprints dance over my face, my heart, and my spirit soothing, revealing, renewing, and healing. Hope flows and intertwines with deep peace and unconditional love, as Your lullabies of compassion and mercy swirl and gentle the hearts and minds of those You adore and carefully watch as they slumber.

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Refuge

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“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

So often, I find refuge in times of stress, loneliness, or mental fatigue in the midst of nature. It feels safe to be surrounded by the very things He created and called good; tucked into the living things that He spoke into life. I find that being in nature breathes new life into my weary soul – the breath of Jesus soothing, healing, renewing, and clearing away the debris that my spirit collects just by living in this world.

I imagine His delight when we step onto that forest path, the sandy beach, the wild backyard garden, and our breathing calms, heart rate slows, and our worries lift on the breeze.

I picture His gentle smile as we whisper our amazement at the beauty and thank Him for being our refuge. Oh, how He loves us!

Holding His Hand

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I’m so grateful that no matter how many times I stumble, wander, and become distracted Jesus NEVER lets go of me. He never lets go of you either.

Rest a minute with the imagery of Jesus holding onto your hand gently, but with absolute power and extravagant love for you. Nothing will separate us from Him and that brings me such hope and joy this morning.

Peace be with you. You are loved.

I Took a Walk…

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I took a walk with Jesus today. He and I both had a lot to say.

 He spoke through the breeze as it whispered and danced at His will. I listened with my soul and felt His healing hands smoothing away the rough, prickly spots that needed His care. Living in this world leaves behind remnants of burdens and scars that need what only He can give.

As we walked, the gentle reminders of His love, attention, and authority were evident everywhere I looked. Trees dressed in their budding spring attire made me smile. The little stream that runs through the park in my neighborhood laughed and sang to me as I walked along its banks – perhaps sharing a joke with Jesus.

 Just trust, just believe – life is full of blessings and hope tucked away in ordinary places waiting to be found; waiting to heal. He’s still on the throne. He still sees, notices, and lavishes so much grace on us. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven…”

Mountain

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“God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”

Is there a mountain in front of you today that seems impossible to climb? With God as your Guide and Shepherd you will get to the top of it. You will stand upon that mountain and see all that He brought you through. You won’t lose your footing because He is right there protecting you. Rest from the climb is coming and the view from the pinnacle will be breathtaking!