I have begun the New Year joining many churches and their
members on a journey of a 21 day fast.
Today I was considering the question a favorite author/musician asks her
listeners in one of her songs, “Have you languished long enough that you have
learned the dance of hope? Have you sat
in silence long enough that you can delight in His quiet delay? And, have you suffered long enough that you
have found the riches of His unending mercy?
And, have you waited long enough to discover you have wings to soar?”
(Kathi Wilson, 2009, Sweet Surrender)
As I
was listening to the questions of the artist’s song, I began to think about
Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the
LORD Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they
shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not
faint (NKJV). How awesome it is to
rest in the palm of the Father’s hands and from that position in the Spirit, discover
that He gives us wings to soar and experience the real joy and satisfaction of
knowing and trusting Him. It is crossing
over from my darkness and weaknesses into His world of light, freedom, truth
and love!
As with
the artist above, I have asked the Lord some hard questions to begin this new year – and He has asked of me to “settle
it” within my own Spirit. As I have
answered questions based on His love of me, I am slowly learning the dance of
hope. I have sat in delay of words
spoken over me regarding a call in my life – and yet already through this fast,
I have found peace, not quite delight yet, but peace in the silence I
experience. And I have found the riches
of His unending mercy wrapping me up in the palm of His hand, regardless of
whether I yet have the answer or not. He
has me!
So
today, I bask in knowing that when I was yet unloved, HE loved me. I John 4:19.
HE chose me before I chose
Him. Ephesians 1:4
Last night I stood together with
others in my own church sanctuary as we sang the words that remain - God’s love
never fails, never gives up and never runs on me… It goes on and on and on –
overwhelms and satisfies my soul…(Jesus
Culture – One Thing Remains). I was
but one who became satisfied in my soul and overwhelmed in the magnitude of His
love as I basked in His loving presence that moved into the sanctuary. How thankful I am on this day # 2 of this
fast, to experience that there is a God who is moved when I am moved, who loves
when I love, who hears when I call upon His name – there is nothing that will
separate my heart from Him and His great love.
I am excited to be reminded that
even before earth was created…as the Creator, the Word hovered in darkness and
brooded – He was thinking of me – and designed me and made me to do good works
in Christ…the works that were prepared before the making of the world
(Ephesians 2:10). It is only day two of
the 21 day fast, but I am excited to draw closer to Elohim. But, this I know today… God made each of us
in His good pleasure; He chooses us; God is always with us and never fails; He
has named us and calls us by name; He has called you and me; He has saved
us!
From this very source and
understanding, I find my center, my joy, my strength in choosing the joy of the
Lord – it is my Voice – to share with others.
How awesome is His truth. How
awesome is it to be overwhelmed by the Lover of my Soul. I look forward to being lit up with the love
and hope of Jesus Christ during this 21 day fast as I seek and draw near. I
know it will transform me and overflow me, so that others might also benefit
from that extravagance. How about
you? How’s your journey in drawing
closer and obtaining a deeper awakening to His great love and being overwhelmed
by it?
