Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Max Knows and So Does God
The little flipchart that sits on the antique kitchen cupboard, said this for September 22:
Then, with the theme started, as the days rolled by, it went on:
And finally,
The Scripture Max Lucado referred to is: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 17:4
Of all the issues women battle, and there are a slew of them, loneliness must be in the top five. Lack of self-esteem is bound to be up there too. But loneliness - it seems to creep into all our lives from time to time. It's no respector of position in life, financial status or stability, education or lack thereof, married, single, childless or a houseful, in a crowded room or all alone. As I think about it, going back to conversations with the various men in my life, and realizing the person who wrote this devotional is a man, maybe it's something all humans face on a regular basis. Or at least during seasons of our lives.
Sometimes, for long stints of time, the days are full, the phone rings, invitations are extended, there are places to go and people to share the experiences with, and life feels full. Then those other seasons, or moments, come - when you walk into the room, give the room a sweep and there's noone to chat with, or stand by, or sit with. Or the invitations don't come, and the phone doesn't ring, you hear about the party after it's over, and the days aren't so full.
After you go through this season a time or two, you know it won't last forever, and it will come again. Life is like that - waves - sometimes gentle and others so fierce you feel like they'll tow you under and deliver you up on the beach a bit waterlogged.
Maybe it's just supposed to be that way now and then. If we are in fact sojourners, foreigners, aliens in this land, our destination another place, then maybe we're never supposed to feel completely at home, or completely complete while we're here.
So Max tells me, us, to rest. Rather than sit at home in my own little chair, nursing hurt feelings of not being included in this or that, I'm to go to the One who is always there, who has my picture on His fridge, who always has time, always cares, and loves me just exactly the way I am. Tell Him how I really, really feel. Know He understands and cares. And leave it with him. Rest from picking the hurt back up, heading out the door determined to fix it myself.
Surely the One who hung on a cross, forsaken by His own Father, surely He's enough, even on my loneliest day. If every emotional need I had was fullfilled by this world and what it has to offer, what are the chances I'd turn to the only One who is enough. Is it possible, do I dare hope that maybe, just maybe I'll eventually grow up enough to see it - the loneliness - for the gift it is, if it drives me to Him.
It bears repeating: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 17:4
Loneliness. Could it be one of God's finest gifts? If a season of solitude is his way to teach you to hear his song, don't you think it's worth it? So do I.
Then, with the theme started, as the days rolled by, it went on:
Father, help me understand and accept that a lonely season can bring me closer to you.
And finally,
Rest from loneliness. Why? Because God is with you.
The Scripture Max Lucado referred to is: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 17:4
Of all the issues women battle, and there are a slew of them, loneliness must be in the top five. Lack of self-esteem is bound to be up there too. But loneliness - it seems to creep into all our lives from time to time. It's no respector of position in life, financial status or stability, education or lack thereof, married, single, childless or a houseful, in a crowded room or all alone. As I think about it, going back to conversations with the various men in my life, and realizing the person who wrote this devotional is a man, maybe it's something all humans face on a regular basis. Or at least during seasons of our lives.
Sometimes, for long stints of time, the days are full, the phone rings, invitations are extended, there are places to go and people to share the experiences with, and life feels full. Then those other seasons, or moments, come - when you walk into the room, give the room a sweep and there's noone to chat with, or stand by, or sit with. Or the invitations don't come, and the phone doesn't ring, you hear about the party after it's over, and the days aren't so full.
After you go through this season a time or two, you know it won't last forever, and it will come again. Life is like that - waves - sometimes gentle and others so fierce you feel like they'll tow you under and deliver you up on the beach a bit waterlogged.
Maybe it's just supposed to be that way now and then. If we are in fact sojourners, foreigners, aliens in this land, our destination another place, then maybe we're never supposed to feel completely at home, or completely complete while we're here.
So Max tells me, us, to rest. Rather than sit at home in my own little chair, nursing hurt feelings of not being included in this or that, I'm to go to the One who is always there, who has my picture on His fridge, who always has time, always cares, and loves me just exactly the way I am. Tell Him how I really, really feel. Know He understands and cares. And leave it with him. Rest from picking the hurt back up, heading out the door determined to fix it myself.
Surely the One who hung on a cross, forsaken by His own Father, surely He's enough, even on my loneliest day. If every emotional need I had was fullfilled by this world and what it has to offer, what are the chances I'd turn to the only One who is enough. Is it possible, do I dare hope that maybe, just maybe I'll eventually grow up enough to see it - the loneliness - for the gift it is, if it drives me to Him.
It bears repeating: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 17:4
Labels: Glimpse of the Heart
<< Home