Prepare ye the Way of the Lord

"Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together."  (Isiah 40:4-5)

Before the way of the Lord can be prepared, a mountain must rise up.  A valley must descend.  A road must become bumpy.  It is when obstacles appear that one can see the Hand of the Lord in action.  This is His preferred way.  He wants something visible, something tangible staring right back at us to show us the challenge that is in front.  He then begs us to watch Him overcome that obstacle... Because then all flesh can see His glory revealed as He prepares the way.

"Bridge Over Trouble Water"

When you're weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I'm on your side. when times get rough
And friends just can't be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

When you're down and out,
When you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I'll take your part.
When darkness comes
And pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

Sail on silvergirl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.

DVR'ing Through Life

I didn't watch the British Open live this weekend.  I only set my DVR to record it, and I only planned on watching if Tom Watson won.  In other words, I had no interest in watching if there was no happy ending.  And as it happened, Watson missed the putt to win and lost badly in a playoff.  So I deleted the recorded show and never watched.

I find myself wanting to do this in life.  For instance, we're in the middle of buying a house, and like I so often want to do, I wish I could fast-forward the next couple months rather than witnessing first-hand how it all unfolds.  I don't want to watch b/c I'm afraid it won't end well.  I'm afraid we won't get the house we want, or I'm afraid the financing will fall through... blah, blah, blah.  I only want to watch the events unfold if I can be certain it will turn out in a way "favorable" to me, i.e. we get a house we're both excited about.

That's not how You want me to go through life, is it Lord?  You don't want me to DVR life.  You want me to walk where You lead me... and to walk in faith that just as You led me to get into the boat , You will also lead me out of the storm to the other side (Luke 8:22-25).  And You want me to watch it all as it happens.

Forgive me Lord when I don't trust You to finish the job.  When I don't trust You that no matter what I go through, the only thing that matters is that You're right there with me with Your loving arms holding me tight.  And it won't all be good - You are good, but life may not be.  But Your ways are perfect.  And I can always rest in that.

Thank You Father.    Amen. 

Furnace of Affliction

I'm going to attempt something here... I'm going to start to journal, although not tell anyone about it.  And seeing how no one really knows about this blog, it may be just You and me, God.  Which is fine... in fact that's how it usually is.

Not sure which direction this will go... it may be a recap of the day's events and a daily prayer offered.  Or it may be something more along the psalms of David, who poured his heart out to You during good and bad.  I'm not the musician David was, but I love you Lord and am after Your heart.  And it was You who gave me this love for writing, just as you gave David his love for music.  So "hear" my words and listen to my heart and be warmed by my presence.

Jesus, what are trying to say to me over the last few months?  So many trials, so much physical pain, so much mental anguish... James 1:5 says to ask for wisdom in the midst of testing and You will give generously.  So what are You trying to impart to me?  I feel this goes beyond endurance (James 1:3).  I look at everyone else I know and feel each one of them has an easier life than me.  From a demanding job to a demanding family life to physical ailments (probably all related), I feel I have no energy left for anything else.  It's like I'm just existing and enduring, and rarely ever enjoying and embracing.  And yet I wouldn't change anything b/c I know You're above all of this and in control and purposing for something grander.  But it's only during times like these in the middle of the night sitting in my closet that I ever understand that You are with me always (Matt 28:20).  The rest of the time, like I said, I feel like I'm just existing.

'Be still and know that I am God' (Psalm 46:10).

Lord, thank You for that word.  Bring stillness to my life.  This is where wisdom and revelation come.  In the day, I will endure.  In the night, I will enjoy Your Presence.  And know You.

I long for deeper intimacy, Father, and pray for a rekindling of a continuous dialogue and revelation with You.

It is only a precious few on this earth who are invited to this level of intimacy and who genuinely know You as a result.  Too many have turned aside from the Way (Ex 3:8).  Or the Path has proved too narrow.  Or the Cross has grown too heavy.

Lord, I now realize the purpose to the last few months of trials... You knew I would be praying this prayer on July 19, 2009, and like You so often do, You began answering this prayer months before I even asked...

These trials are Your device to bring me closer to You.  For You God are a consuming fire (Deut 4:24), and in the furnace of affliction You test us (Is 48:10).  And though we walk in this fire, we are not burned (Is 43:2, Dan 3:27), but instead as Daniel showed to the world, when we are in the fire You appear and walk in our midst (Dan 3:25).

Lord, I pray that in the midst of the fire I can be still and see You standing beside me, so I can know You deeper as a result.      In Your Name Jesus, Amen.