Good morning…
We are designed to live in oneness with the intimate and immense God of our universe. In our posts this week, we have traveled through everyday choices. If the will of God is the way of life, will we get all wrapped up in it?
Monday: One of you shared: “I became convinced years ago that that the more people we love (and the more deeply we love them) the more heartache we have in this life. That’s not really an earth-shattering observation, but I think it’s important to keep in mind in difficult seasons like this. I think the number of children you have, four, the friends they have, many, and your deep involvement with your kids’ friends and their families adds to the ‘amount’ and frequency of heartache that comes your way.”
“Fortunately, our God is big enough and loving enough to meet every need,” she continued. “You have the training you need to minister to others in these excruciatingly difficult times yet, most importantly, you know the real Source of All Comfort and are able to point others who are grieving toward our living LORD when these heartbreaks come.”
Tuesday: Relishing our remarkable lives, no one can prepare us for the love we will feel and the fears we will face over a lifetime. Thanks be to the God, who empowers us to travel through time together.
Wednesday: We can look down, hold back, feed tension, be annoyed, and this next twelve hours can add up to a very “tough day.” Yet, there is another choice. We can choose to live the same twelve hours noticing life’s subtle sweetness. Smiling, hugging, laughing, looking up, savoring surroundings, tuning into life’s music, we can each experience today as a very “good day, actually.”
Thursday: She went on to explain, “One of the greatest compliments that I have received, since our 7-year-old daughter died of cancer, is from a dear friend who told me how much that she admired me because I choose joy despite my deep loss. That is exactly what today’s movie clip shows…choosing to be positive and see the world through different eyes, to be in relationship with others, to truly express your feelings, to be polite to strangers, supportive, laugh at ridiculous situations, celebrate successes, etc.”
Friday: Our lives sometimes feel overrun by thorns, surrounded by stinging nettles, but in these places of persistent pain, God promises, “Trees will grow, flowering plants will sprout up.” Eventually we will live in joy and peace, high hills and low fields will burst into song and trees will clap wildly, as all creation celebrates new life. Unmistakably God, the living Word will generate great glory. Our Creator’s power and love will prosper in our ordinary lives, surely, over time.
Saturday: “Our single focus is where God’s vine meets our branch. Our only job is to abide, to remain, to stay at home in God as God stays at home in us,” I heard the Spirit speak the wisdom of John 15:4-5 through my voice.
Astutely she said, “That sounds really nice, but actually, how am I really supposed to do that? When stress ratchets up and my anxious mind races, how am I supposed to really ‘remain’ in God?”
I responded without skipping a beat, “Here is how I abide the best. When I notice my craziness quotient rising, I realize I have separated myself from God. I take a breath and form my anxious, obsessive thoughts into a question. Then I put God’s name into the sentence and carry on a conversation. Shifting my inner monologue into a dialogue with the Divine, I empty the contents my heart and wait for the LORD’s response.”
We waited in silence as she pondered the possibility. “Interesting,” she replied. “That reminds me of the Hillsong song, So Will I (100 Billion x). I will send it to you when I get home.”
When she shared with me the music video of the live performance, I was totally blown away. So were you as an online community.
“Wow, what a video.”
“Absolutely one of the most beautiful songs ever.”
“It is such a powerful song. For me it is tops. You can just feel God’s might.”
“So so incredible. Our God is amazingly creative and invites us each to join in the chorus!”
“I had my own worship this a.m. with the song singing so loud – what a wonderful way to start the day.”
“I think one of the hardest thing to do is to worship Him even when we are suffering greatly. But just as Jesus had the disciples, how awesome that God ordains friendships so we are not left to make this journey alone.”
As we savor this Sabbath, why not worship our immensely intimate God with the gift of this incredible song? Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!” (Luke 19:40, AMP).
…Sue…
