Love Can Be Uncomfortable

If we are not willing to be a bit uncomfortable – to reach out and approach, see needs, listen well, and share our own experiences, and help in practical ways – how will anyone ever come to know the light and life of Christ?

 

A man named Jesus approached me and made mud from the ground and applied it to my eyes. He then said to me, “Go, wash yourself in the pool of Siloam.” I went and washed, and suddenly I could see. – (John 9:11, VOICE)

 

I can’t imagine it was a comfortable or natural approach for Jesus. To go up to a blind man and make mud from dust and spit to smear on a his eyes, knowing that this gross concoction would be the very thing that God would use to restore the man’s sight. Jesus is our example of total trust in the Father and His will. Making mud to wash off to restore a person’s sight doesn’t make sense. However, if God says it is the way for a person to see, it is well worth the risk of appearing foolish, to allow the person the gift of sight. May we trust the Lord with an unwavering faith, and be willing to get uncomfortable as we step outside of our ordinary four walls to reach those in need.

 

May we choose reach out,

Despite circumstance;

Awkward discomfort,

Shan’t steal helpful chance.

Let hope to obey,

Be greater than fear;

So His will be done,

As we seek to hear.

The how matters not,

Lest we choose obey;

Grant us Your strength Lord,

To walk in Your way.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You love us so much that You stepped down from heaven to be near. Thank You that Your love draws us unto Yourself, and that You reach out to help and to heal where we cannot begin to help ourselves. Forgive us for questioning the things You ask of us, or not going when You call us to go. Teach us to trust You more, even with the seemingly smallest of things, as they might be huge things in the lives of those whom they were meant to touch. Show us how to love others well, exactly where they are, so that needs may be met and hurts may be healed. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we reach out to those around us in love, just as You so tenderly and uniquely love each of us. Amen.

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

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5

 

 

O My Strength

O my Strength, to You I sing praises, for You, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. – (Psalm 59:17, NLT)

I will sing praises to You, my source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety. You are the God who loves me. – (Psalm 59:17, ERV)

You are my strength, I sing praise to You; You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. – (Psalm 59:17, NIV)

 

There are days when this reminder is more necessary than others. Today is one of those days. It is the middle of the busiest week of the year thus far, and I feel the pressures mounting. Though all that needs to be done tie directly to things that I love, the pieces that stand before me are the most cumbersome, and require me to operate outside of where my strengths reside. It is in this space, all the more, that I must remember Who I praise, and from Whom I draw my strength. He is my refuge, and He loves me through the sort of stuff that I simply do not want to do. God takes my hand and leads me by His love, to do that which needs to be done, and to let go of the things that are not necessary in the right now. May we ever sing praise to Him who is our strength and our fortress, who loves us with His unfailing love – always.

 

I will sing my praise,

both now and always;

Celtic knot with dual meaning – the Trinity & inner strength (the One provides the other…)

 

for You are our strength,

for all of our days.

Our place of refuge,

when we are in need;

where love never fails,

and fears are relieved.

You show us Your peace,

where chaos had reigned;

You wash us by grace,

where sin had once stained.

All praises to You,

O Strength of our days;

may we trust in You,

both now and always.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength, our refuge, and the One who shows us unfailing love. Thank You that You hear and receive our praise. Forgive us for not seeking Your strength and safety in our struggles, or for not praising You for Your protection in our storms. Teach us to trust You and honor You as we ought to, for You alone are our Source on whom we can depend. Show us how to love, help and encourage others, as You so lovingly do for each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are, and trust You to be our strength and refuge as You show us Your unfailing love. Amen.

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

Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. – Psalm 69:16

Receive Life

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. – (Revelation 22:14, NIV)

 

Great blessings belong to those who have washed their robes. They will have the right to eat the food from the tree of life. They can go through the gates into the city. – (Revelation 22:14, ERV)

 

Our “robes” are washed, when we receive what Christ freely offers. We are cleansed by the sacrifice He made for our sin, when He suffered and died in our place. If we embrace what He lovingly gives, and choose to follow Him all of our days, we will be granted entry into Christ’s eternal presence, and allowed to eat from that which people were previously not permitted. All that is good, right, lovely, holy and true, will be the eternal surroundings of those who have chosen to make Jesus the Lord of their lives. Imagine a day when God’s glory alone is what lights our surroundings so brilliantly, that there is no longer need for the sun, nor lamps, nor any other source of light. May we receive what Christ has to offer, and allow His healing hands to cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness.

 

Our garments worn,

surrounding our heart;

showing what dwells,

in the deepest part.

We all have stains,

wrinkles and some scars;

yet Christ calls us,

to come as we are.

The miracle,

of His great mercy;

and grace for us,

cleanses and makes clean.

Where blemishes,

were once dominant;

His love is seen,

light so radiant.

Not by our works,

but by His great grace;

we must receive,

as we seek His face.

Imagine when,

our days here are done;

the welcoming,

by Father and Son.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, we find You, if we seek You with our whole heart. Thank You that You forgive us and cleanse us, washing us clean, as if we had never sinned. Forgive us for either taking Your grace for granted, or for somehow thinking that Your grace is not enough to cover what we have done. Teach us to have a proper perspective of who You are, and what You have done for us. May we love others well, as You so lavishly love us, and may many come to know the glorious gift of Your forgiveness and grace as a result. Be glorified O God, as we receive what You offer, and walk in the fullness of Your grace. Amen.

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

Father, I thank You that You have heard me. – John 11:41

Hidden No More

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” – (John 4:39)

 

This verse from the often told story of the woman at the well, struck me anew this morning. Not only was she powerfully impacted by her encounter personally, but she found a new boldness where she had previously remained hidden, and that boldness in stepping out to speak of what she had experienced compelled many from her town to go and see Jesus for themselves. She was so dramatically different, that those who had shunned her, gave ear to her words. What a powerful testimony indeed! God used her transformation to tell others of Christ’s goodness and grace. Imagine the interactions at the well after the town’s two days with Jesus!

 

In isolation,

alone and afraid;

there is a Savior,

Who will come your way.

He’ll always draw near,

no matter your past;

He’ll wash you anew,

grant peace that will last.

The Granter of hope,

the Giver of grace;

Restorer of life,

He’s present always.

All that is hidden,

is already known;

He’ll use it for good,

story of your own.

The glorious thing,

as you choose to share;

others will seek Him,

trade hope for despair.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and allow You to move in our lives, You do a deep transformational work that others can see. Thank You that even the ugliest part of our past can become the most triumphant part of our testimony, by You grace. Thank You that when others see change in us, they want to know why. Forgive us for not being quick to answer, or for not always modeling the internal transformation that has taken place. Teach us to trust You in the transformation, and grant us strength to stand strong in all things and at all times so that Your will be done. Help us to love as You love us, and may many come to seek You as a result. Let the lost be found, and testimonies of transformations abound. Be glorified as we go forth boldly as You have made us to do. Amen.

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

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8