Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Unwrapping His Promises


How long we wait, with minds as quiet as time.............Thomas Merton

And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
 “And the Lord will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
“Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.
Isaiah 58:10-12
 
My time in the desert has taught me much. When the heat stretches on and you see no end, you long to escape it. You drive up north, you go to the coast, or you go to the theater or the mall. You learn to adjust what you do. You learn from the little creatures you see that somehow thrive, and it inspires you too to go on. This imagery is easy for us desert dwellers. But here, God is trying to teach a different kind of lesson.

A lesson for when the soul is parched and needs refreshing.

He is trying to teach us a new way of living for when life burns you out. We say, "I need a trip to the Spa," But He tells us we need to give to those who have less. New life, new energy, new hope is found when we do for others, and when we lean on Him in the doing. In a way, God is saying, "Get your mind off yourself and you will feel better."

But unless we also harness the power of the Holy Spirit, we will quickly be burned out. It's only when we join hands with the Creator that this regeneration and refreshment happen. The body might be beat, but inside the Spirit leaps.

In caretaking I have found this to be true. As soon as I stop harnessing God's power, I find my anger flaring up at all those little moments....a shirt getting stuck on the hanger, her pacing back and forth, her opening and closing the door 10 times.

I focus on a Motorhome that sits idle in storage for the lack of freedom to just get up and go. I lament the loss of freedom and say it's not fair. What is fair? People in Haiti are living in tents and have no clean water.

It wasn't fair the Jesus had to go to the cross but He did. And now despite everything I deserve, I get Heaven here and now. And for eternity. With that in view, I can be more than a conqueror.

Whatever we are going through here and now, it is only for a season. And there are blessings everywhere we turn when we have the Lord to refresh us in all those scorched places in life.

Let's unwrap His promises today, the basket is overflowing........


4 comments:

  1. I so identify with your post! When I was in a depressed state 6 years ago, God pulled me out of myself and turned my focus from me onto others. I started a blanket ministy for the homeless in my community 4 years ago and now helped to start a homeless outreach ministry. We had our first communion with them last night. I pray everytime that they feel refreshed by His love being shared and poured out on them. I pray we ALL learn to unwrap His promises and feel the joy of HIM!

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  2. Thank you Kristin.....And bless you, what a wonderful ministry you have, God will bless you abundantly for that. So many homeless out there, and it doesn't really matter why they are there, just a tragedy that they are, and so many with children.

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  3. Hi Lori,
    Oh yes, we must always remember whatever we are going through, it is only temporary. It is so vital to get our focus off ourselves and onto God and others. Instead of complaining about the situation, rejoice in what God is doing through it. But that sure is easier said than done.
    Blessings,
    Ken

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  4. Hi Lori,

    Nice to meet you. I am popping over from last week's Scribing the Journey link up. What a neat quote by Thomas Merton to start off your post here.

    Have a lovely evening,
    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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