Monday, November 30, 2009

Abba's Child.That is the core truth of our existence.

I have to confess...
I question daily where I truly belong?
Truth is.. I belong in His presence. In His will. In His hands.
No matter what my physical surroundings tell me.
No matter what the future holds, or what the past has recorded.
I am learning that I would rather be in the valley,
in His will, growing, changing, than in an "easy" place.

The most radical demand of the Christian faith is to say "yes" to the present.
Our life as Christians is lived more in the valley than on the mountaintop.
Faith is NEVER doubt-free. The surest way we can know God is as utterly unknowable.
He is beyond anything we can intellectualize or imagine!!!

The present sometimes may feel like we are walking in utter darkness.
Not being able to see the faintest silhouette of anything.
But it is in these valleys, the times of utter darkness, if we allow Him, our Heavenly father is able to show himself in the most powerful of ways.

More fruit is able to be gathered in the valley rather than on top of the mountain.

But don't get me wrong.

I always want the mountaintop experiences. They feel so good!
As human beings the top of the mountain is where we can physically see the fruit of God's faithfulness!
It is there where we have those awe moments where we say " Wow God you are real!"
We want to tell the whole world!

But here is the challenge.

Why can't we be just as excited in the valley as we are on the mountaintop?

"Hope knows that if great trials are avoided, great deeds remain undone and the possibility of growth into greatness of the soul is aborted". Brennan Manning

To be thankful in the toughest of times is completely contrary to what our human nature says to do. This is something the Lord is walking me through.
To rejoice in His love no matter what the circumstances are.

But I don't have enough strength!!!

Truth is... It is in our weakness the Lord comes in to flood our spirits with His strength, His love, His wisdom, and hold us tight. He loves to save us everyday. He is just waiting for us to simply ask.

Too often I try to go about on my own. I tell myself to be strong. Hold it in. Move forward.

No.

It is in these moments, the Lord has me right where I belong.
In his arms, surrendered, broken, thanking Him for his grace and mercy.
It is in the valley where I grow. It is on the mountaintop I will expose the new.
It is on the mountaintop I will rejoice!!

I will thank you Abba for the transformation you are doing in my heart in this valley. I will rejoice for I am becoming more like you. I will be thankful for the circumstance because it is preparing me for the calling you have on my life.