"Christianity happens when men and women accept with unwavering trust that their sins have not only been forgiven but forgotten, washed by he blood of the Lamb... There is an existential connection between experiencing God, loving God and trusting God...The cross is the CONFRONTATION with the overwhelming goodness of God revealed in the broken body of His ONLY begotten Son." Brennan Manning, Ragamuffin Gospel
"More pleasing to me than all your prayers, works and penances is that you would believe that I LOVE YOU."
Jesus
Do we believe that we are loved by God- does His love undo us?
Is His love enough to satisfy us-of course, but do we let it?
These questions should challenge us to the core; knocking off religious piety...
begging the attention of our heart...
Do we let HIm love on US or are we to busy trying to prove to Him our love or earn His?
personally, if i am honest, i struggle with turning to anything but Jesus when i need Him most...
nighttime is the worst
at night sleep comes with difficulty...
i begin to get anxious because of a physiological surge of chemicals about 3 0 clock in the afternoon anticipating late night loneliness... when everyone is quiet and able to sleep and i am alone...
or am i?
Jesus has promised He will never leave me or forsake me so it stands to reason that He is there with me in the anxiety-fear and loneliness beckoning me as He always does, "Come away with me Beloved...Do not hide from me, run to me. My love will make you whole."
most recently i have struggled with wanting to drink at night to ease the anxiety- i know that only one, maybe two, will help me sleep.. and yet my soul testifies that i should not and my spirit cries out to Jesus... HE does not come and lift me out of the anxiety- He doesn't appear to me in a vision... but He gently reminds me who i am - and who He is... and that this too shall pass...His love encircles me and whispers YOU ARE ACCEPTED-YOU ARE LOVED
in part that anxiety is why i started blogging- to help pass time, lonely time... i also read... the Bible-yes but also christian fiction... Ted Deker is fabulous, and i am working on a puzzle... the Doc told me embroidery is good- i'll try that too...
but no matter what i DO the challenge is to not take matters into my hands- but to instead remember that Christ is WITH me and then ask Him what would be best, if anything to do... He won't answer audibly - i don't think:) but usually through a still small nudge in a certain direction- if i do just that - then i have come to KNOW Him more and my intimacy with Him grows...
not because i have chosen what is most 'holy' but because i have chosen to follow the Holy One... and allowed Him to put healing balm on my soul through a whisper to my heart.
Do we trust Him? Then let us turn to Him with all our hearts- He is there arms stretched out waiting...
The Cross a perfect picture of our loving God arms outstretched waiting to embrace ME and YOU.
Shalom
Jessi
Worship Him
1 comment:
oh my sister...i know this all too well. those racing thoughts. our inability to relax. in those wee hours when we feel so alone and our thoughts wander to those dark places. i pray protection over your mind. i pray protection over your actions. one nite. don't allow yourself to be overhwelmed with the nevers and won't....get thru one nite with positive activities. the puzzle is awesome. for me--reading was hard because concentrating was hard...but girl, do what works for you. Crossword puzzles were good also for me. again things like folding laundry, cleaning also helped. love u querida!
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