Here I am. Morning dawned from my first floor window and now the light pours generously through the cracks of my blinds. As I look around, everything appears out-of-order and still, as if they lie waiting for something. As I look outside, I notice the same condition. A sense of patience and eagerness for what is to come pervades every ounce of creation. Once, a long time ago, trees moved freely, breathed from the life given them and now put under a spell. Once, animals knew their names and conversed with Creation, revealed ancient stories of Goodness, Betrayal, and a Fall from Glory. But mostly they spoke of Goodness and Love.
Whereas now these things sleep the sleep of death, then all lived in peace and joy. What happened?
What happened?
And as I sit here, from my first floor window, this question haunts me. What happened to glory? My heart and soul seem to cry out at once, “What happened to abundant life?” Death rules this world now. It will snatch my heartbeat one day. I’ll return to dust.
But I ask this question not for the future, but for the present. I am alive today. I have a heartbeat singing in my chest. I have a soul moaning from within. It moans, Restoration. Restoration. Restoration.
All Creation, hope in your coming restoration.
O my soul, hope in your coming restoration.
It comes quickly. Any moment now.
I stretched myself this far, to ask this age-old question: What happened? Somehow, I get the feeling, the human race had a grand role to play in this drama of glory and fallen-ness. Maybe we thrust our crowns into evil hands, maybe we threw our pearls among swine. Maybe it wasn’t our fault. Perhaps someone told us to do it; but that’s the problem in the first place. Deception. Acceptance. Shame.
Here I am again. Morning has passed by my window and metamorphosed into an afternoon sun. What has changed? I’m still asking the same question.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Would I be willing?
Beloved sisters...
I figured it's about time for me to add a little something to our blog... it's been awhile. Scarlet, I LOVE your song for Jesus. My smile was from ear to ear! I thought, this is such a Scarlet song! I miss you guys. Do you realize it has been almost 3 months since I left Bellingham and almost 9 months since Scarlet left? Whew. The only way I can explain my surviving this long without you two is God. He has been so faithful to carry me through difficult days and rejoice with me on joyful days. He is the One who gave me strength to pack up and leave home and explore independence; a new place, a new culture, a new people. And I love it. In fact, the desire to travel and see other new places has only increased since I came to Mississippi. Study abroad, perhaps?? :) Hold your breath, Lauren, it's not for sure, yet! ;) I know God has called me to something like missions work. I don't know what form yet, but He'll show me in due time. I feel a whisper on my heart that says, I don't mind if it takes all of me, but Lord, just make it glorifying to You. So whether I am sent to stay in Mississippi or Bellingham or Greenland, God is in control.
Often times, I can't answer the hard questions until God gives me the opportunity to answer. Would I be willing to go somewhere hostile toward Jesus and His followers? Would I be willing to die for Jesus or my brother? I thought about this the other day. As of now, I honestly don't think I would be willing to endure pain or brokeness for another. But, when the opportunity arises, I pray that the Holy Spirit would give me the courage to defy my flesh, my natural desire to be too comfortable, content. True contentment comes from a life well lived. A life lived in sacrifice to God. Would I be willing? I hope, one day, that I'll be able to face that question and answer it with a bold cry...
YES! YES! Amen!
I pray that for you, Lauren and Scarlet, too! Let us be women empowered by God, sent to the Nations for a time such as this. We have a unique and wonderful role to play in this story book called LIFE. Remember that. Whatever else the Enemy tries to tell your heart, remember your identity in Christ-- His sisters, the heirs of God's Kingdom (Rms. 8)
I love you both very much! Let's talk again on Skype soon!
Peace from your other beloved sister... :)
I figured it's about time for me to add a little something to our blog... it's been awhile. Scarlet, I LOVE your song for Jesus. My smile was from ear to ear! I thought, this is such a Scarlet song! I miss you guys. Do you realize it has been almost 3 months since I left Bellingham and almost 9 months since Scarlet left? Whew. The only way I can explain my surviving this long without you two is God. He has been so faithful to carry me through difficult days and rejoice with me on joyful days. He is the One who gave me strength to pack up and leave home and explore independence; a new place, a new culture, a new people. And I love it. In fact, the desire to travel and see other new places has only increased since I came to Mississippi. Study abroad, perhaps?? :) Hold your breath, Lauren, it's not for sure, yet! ;) I know God has called me to something like missions work. I don't know what form yet, but He'll show me in due time. I feel a whisper on my heart that says, I don't mind if it takes all of me, but Lord, just make it glorifying to You. So whether I am sent to stay in Mississippi or Bellingham or Greenland, God is in control.
Often times, I can't answer the hard questions until God gives me the opportunity to answer. Would I be willing to go somewhere hostile toward Jesus and His followers? Would I be willing to die for Jesus or my brother? I thought about this the other day. As of now, I honestly don't think I would be willing to endure pain or brokeness for another. But, when the opportunity arises, I pray that the Holy Spirit would give me the courage to defy my flesh, my natural desire to be too comfortable, content. True contentment comes from a life well lived. A life lived in sacrifice to God. Would I be willing? I hope, one day, that I'll be able to face that question and answer it with a bold cry...
YES! YES! Amen!
I pray that for you, Lauren and Scarlet, too! Let us be women empowered by God, sent to the Nations for a time such as this. We have a unique and wonderful role to play in this story book called LIFE. Remember that. Whatever else the Enemy tries to tell your heart, remember your identity in Christ-- His sisters, the heirs of God's Kingdom (Rms. 8)
I love you both very much! Let's talk again on Skype soon!
Peace from your other beloved sister... :)
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