Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Whispers in our Thoughts


Today as I was out for a run, something hit me. (It's okay! Not literally!) I was running along in the wind and snow, singing some praise songs in my head (because I was far too winded to sing them out loud...LOL!) when the awesome power of God just seemed to be there, all around me! The air was chilling and the wind was strong, blowing sharp wisps of snow into my face. The trees were bending to the power of the wind and it definitely slowed my pace as I tried to press forward. It was cold and the wind was so mighty, but yet nothing compared to what it could be. How easily it could overpower me. It's good to experience that...to physically get a glimpse of the power God has injected into His creation.

It is so much more *pleasant* to be out running in the beautiful sunshine on a nice, wind-free day (a rarity in my neck of the woods). I know my run is much easier when I'm not battling the tumultuous winds...that's for sure! But the extra workout it gives, even though I'd rather do without the added effort, was well worth it. I came home from my run feeling energized and refreshed, more than usual. The same is true for our lives. We'd so much rather go through life like a warm, sunny day. No breeze to ruffle our feathers, sipping lemonade in the shade, when it's warm but not too hot. Peaceful. Easy. But the lessons well learned are learned in the storm.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we would all just hear the Lord when he's speaking to us in whispers? Like the gentle breeze on a warm summer day. I know He speaks to me far more often than I listen. After a while, to get His point across, He has to make Himself known more obviously, like a freezing cold wind slapping me in the face. Thankfully, we serve a mighty God! He has the power to get our attention no matter how hard of hearing we might be, even when it requires a hurricane to speak to our hearts. We need quiet ourselves so we can tune ourselves in to hear Him.

The beauty of our God's power, though, is that He treats us with such delicacy and tenderness. His patience while refining us is so enduring. Just dwell for a minute on the power in the tornado or the hurricane -- with a Word He could wipe everything away in the twinkling of an eye. Those are works of our Father's mighty hands. Yet, here we are still. In our smallness and infinite un-worthiness, He still desires us and approaches us in the most intimate of moments in life. When we're alone in the silence, He comes to us and speaks to us as whispers in our thoughts. So much power and majesty, and yet so soft and tender. In this world that can be so cold and harsh, He is our warm summer day, if only we will open ourselves up to hear Him speaking in that still, small voice.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You


Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You


To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy


We cry holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you"

--Michael W. Smith, Open the Eyes of My Heart

"To you, God, in Zion, silence is praise; and vows to you are to be fulfilled. You who listen to prayer, to you all living creatures come. When deeds of wickedness overwhelm me, you will atone for our crimes. How blessed are those you choose and bring near, so that they can remain in your courtyards! We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the Holy Place of your temple.

"It is just that you answer us with awesome deeds, God of our salvation, you in whom all put their trust, to the ends of the earth and on distant seas. By your strength you set up the mountains. You are clothed with power. You still the roaring of the seas, their crashing waves, and the peoples' turmoil. This is why those living at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your signs.

"The places where the sun rises and sets you cause to sing for joy. You care for the earth and water it, you enrich it greatly; with the river of God, full of water, you provide them grain and prepare the ground. Soaking its furrows and settling its soil, you soften it with showers and bless its growth. You crown the year with your goodness, your tracks overflow with richness. The desert pastures drip water, the hills are wrapped with joy, the meadows are clothed with flocks and the valleys blanketed with grain, so they shout for joy and break into song."
--Psalm 65

3 comments:

  1. Ahh!!! Like a gentle rain to a dry and parched land, your words really restored me! I am glad you are writing again!
    be blessed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Likewise! Love you, dear!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very good words, Trishia.

    I wanted to let you know about a book called Orphans and the Fatherless.

    If you would like to check it out, go to www.orphansandthefatherless.com

    Sorry, I didn't see an email! :)

    ReplyDelete