Flooded With Love

Love us, God, with all You’ve got – that’s what we’re depending on. – (Psalm 33:22, MSG)

Let Your love and steadfast kindness overshadow us continually, for we trust and we wait upon You. – (Psalm 33:22, TPT)

O Eternal, drench us with Your endless love, even now as we wait for You. – (Psalm 33:22, VOICE)

Finally, this morning, after sleeping in until 5:00am, I am finally beginning to feel like it is actually Christmas break. It is strange how it takes a few days to settle in and realize that it is time to relax and decompress from the craziness that this year has held. This is the time to rest in Him, for His love floods our hearts and minds when we are intentional to seek time with the Lord. God surrounds us with His love through all things, great and small, if only we look to Him to be our Source and Supply. May we look to the Lord and depend on Him, for His love floods our hearts as we depend on Him.

O come, Lord Jesus,

Flood our hearts and minds;

With Your endless love,

And grace to be kind.

Lead us in all things,

Wherever we go;

Let Your goodness shine,

So all come to know.

Know of the wonder,

Of love that will last;

Peace never ending,

With lifelong impact.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek and depend on You, You flood us with Your overwhelming, never ending love. Forgive us for our lack of seeking. Teach us to lean into You in seasons of busy and times of rest. Show us Your faithfulness in the unexpected, and lead us to love those around us in ways that show Your amazing love made tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You in every season and give praise for Your amazing love. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

So then it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. – Romans 9:16

Strength in a Sabbath

“Then He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27

photo by My Purpose in Him

Jesus explained to all who questioned Him about picking some heads of grain as they walked on the Sabbath.  He let them know that the purpose of the Sabbath was made to provide rest for man, rather than man being made for rest.

We are all called to do some sort of work unto Him.  For some, it is managing house and home; for others, it is something outside of the home.  Each of us are called to something that requires work.  After several days of work, our bodies need a bit of rest so that our hearts and minds may be restored – equipping us to continue in our calling.

None of us are made for the Sabbath.  We are made to commune with Christ.  If we labor and toil without rest, we soon lose sight of the original purpose.  God provides an entire day for us to slow down and seek Him, granting us fresh opportunity to be restored and recharged for the coming week.  What we do with that time, our wonderful weekend, is up to us.

My natural inclination is to be a weekend warrior.  Everything in me wants to schedule all waking moments with something wonderful.  If I do not safeguard some time for rest, I end up beginning the new week completely depleted, unable to accomplish all that is intended.  If I reserve some sacred time for rest, rather than running around, my new week begins with strength and stamina, supplied by my Savior through time spent resting in Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You made the Sabbath for our benefit, not us for the benefit of the Sabbath.  Forgive us for not finding time to rest and be refreshed in You.  Teach us how to set aside time and space to seek You and to rest in Your peaceful presence.  Please show each of us what You would have us do to partake in the Sabbath that You provide us.  May we not miss the moments meant to be spent in the safety of Your sweet rest.  Refresh and renew us so that we may again return to the calling You have created for each of us.  Use us to touch lives and transform communities, as we are equipped and empowered by You alone.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present