The blessings in “well worn” but not “worn out”. I may feel tattered some days. I am guessing you too. But when sitting, and serving my son, recently, “just as I am” one particular day, being used by God, I happened to look at the bottom – the sole of my obvious worn, tattered, slipper.
And look what I saw!! A cross!
My sons had done some house painting awhile back, and I had managed to step in some smudges on the sheets covering the floor. I never noticed, until this particular day, the little white cross that filled the grooves on the “sole”. I immediately smiled, and thought “God is with me, He will never leave me or forsake me. Keep walking. Walk by Faith, not by Sight”. God is to be trusted. His every Word to be a comfort and guide.
Whatever challenges we walk in, let us look to the cross. Jesus Christ died to save our SOULS. We can choose again each day, each step, to trust, obey, this God Who is for us, and with us.
I have so much to learn. New seasons, bring new challenges, unknowns, and yet, JESUS CHRIST who saved my soul, so kindly will have me look at the simplest, sometimes odd, silly things in a day, and SEE.
These slippers have tread on through tears, pain, prayers, sweetest delights, treasured family moments, scripture reading, even walks in our flower garden on a cool morning day, and just so many innumerable DAYS of JOY unspeakable. The material on the outside is frayed, worn, but the sole is perfectly good, and stamped with the beauty of the cross.
What a beautiful gift to have this relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Our bodies may hurt, we grow older, our hearts live pain, but our SOULS are stamped white, clean, and filled with the JOY of the Lord. He is our strength. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross to save a sinner’s soul. May I take up my cross daily, in His promised power that has saved me, and follow Him intimately.
Some days and many, it is serving in a thousand ways. And some days, like today, an extra measure of comfort, when He shows me to rest in literal quiet, still, just being. Receiving.
I have a unique mind, it takes in deeply everything. Like all of us, uniquely designed, for God’s purpose and glory, it’s easy for the enemy to mess with our uniqueness and attempt to weaken us, but God’s grace is sufficient, and will give us wisdom and power to use these unique ways in you and I, to bring Him glory.
I have learned, and keep close watch, to use the emotions of my experiences, controlled by the Holy Spirit, and only according to His Word. Emotions and feelings are a gift, but dangerous as we must not obey them, but submit our all, under the constraints of the Holy Spirit and by HIS WORD, to trust and obey.
Point is, writing is a way, God has put in me, to process the deep places and experiences of my life, with God’s Word as the foundation and beauty, and then it seems some days to take further and share with others.
My heart, mind, feels life so intensely, and though some experiences so painful, harsh, and others incredibly awesome to experience Jesus in all of it. Through knowing the Passionate love of Christ, I am given passion, as I am enthralled at the work of God and gracious gifts He does not have to give on hard hard days, and days not so hard, every day.
Sometimes this passionate feeling, being, God made me to be-needs to “just be” in a way He knows I personally need.
He knows you so personally too. And I will share how I ask God for wisdom constantly how to live each detail of life. He knows what you need-unique you- and promises to give you wisdom as you abide intimately with Him.
It’s a gift from a loving Heavenly Father to rest. Whether we are in the midst of serving, or just literal stillness, resting in His promises, and yes, HIS COMMANDMENTS-a gift.“
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:16
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalms 62:1-2