Taking a deeper insight into all of life's situations and people conversations, His Word shouts to me in a loud boom and other times in a gentle whisper of Truth. In devotional style, I wish to share my walk through many venues of life I cross with my Lord, with you. Be blessed. Coleene VanTilburg, blogger/writer.
Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one is calling: "In the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for God." My son and I, working late into a Friday night, prepare the fruits, lay out the fish, chop up the onions to make cive'che, and continue to prepare for a big fish fry fundraiser planned for tomorrow evening. I went shopping. Setting things in order, scraps quickly go in the garbage. I wash dishes and put things away, leaving space, making the way clear for his handiwork with a knife. Without proper preparation, chaos in the kitchen and a less than satisfactory result could be our outcome. Corey set me up with the task of rolling the limes, slicing and squeezing. Who would know that these little gems of deliciousness together, supply so much juice?
I am following my son's lead, as he has done this before. When I shared the event with a friend today, she surprised me by asking if I needed plates and napkins; she would gladly drop them off in the morning for our event. What a blessing! Earlier preparation included extensive advertising and of course, several fishing trips to supply and inspire our event. We anticipate a fun and successful day. Have you prepared your heart for what God wants you to hear--what He wants to stir up in your walk with Him? Some of us need more prep time than others. We don't see the clutter, the garbage in the way. Things remain frozen and what we've "caught"...we don't know what to do with. Maybe you've "left things out on the counter," always with a good intention, but how things spoil fast! Sometimes it takes someone whose experience teaches us how to take a step, encourage us in the right ways to prepare. We begin to read His Word and study to learn, spend more time in prayer, actually attend church and get involved. Other times, a blessing comes unexpectedly and we see the goodness of the Lord. It makes us yearn for more. Gratefulness prepares us again into humbleness and to recognize more of His grace. When He's touched us, inspired by the Holy Spirit to grow, sharing comes natural and with God, we boldly tell our story and anticipate with joy, all He has prepared for us. Jesus, He's all about preparation: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Clear what clutters, lay out your purchased heart before Him. Allow Him to make you into a "gem of deliciousness," prepared to receive and serve all His goodness. Lord, thank you that you lead us into preparation for all you have for us. You show us, when we humble ourselves before you, where the clutter lies. You gather it and discard it, clearing the way for us to receive abundant life. The results are a bounty of Your goodness and wisdom from Your Word that continues to prepare us to walk everyday in Your light. What You prepare for us--indescribable! Amen.
II Corinthians 7:10-11a For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold, what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation of yourselves, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! Why do we cry? We miss someone we no longer have around us. We feel physical pain. Our feelings get stepped on. Dissapointment. Regret. Anger.
What kind of sorrow is "Godly sorrow"? We long for the connection with the Lord that became short circuited. Dead. When our zapped strength, trying to walk this life on our own, finally recognizes our own disregard for the True power source-- that is Godly sorrow. It's a place God wants us to long for, but that place is our choice. In the validation of our purpose for His glory, the longing for a restored communion, in the recognition of our unworthiness, through Jesus Christ, the son of God, who took on our sinful nature, tears fall. An understanding of the depths of His forgiveness, all of this and more brings Godly sorrow for a moment, followed by an eternity of hope. It's the formation of trust in The God who is bigger than all the tears we cry. It is a desire to want more of Him. This is a faith that relys on God Himself. Our humbleness before God does a work within us.
It's letting go and becoming transformed into His image. It is an indwelling of the Holy Spirit which leads one into His righteousness. Godly sorrow is as simple as a personal, authentic prayer before God each day. Because we have been justified through this faith, this Godly sorrow in our hearts, produces in us the desire to want more of God, to commune with Him in a supernatural way. Do you want more than just OK? Looking forward to worship with each other and fellowship, His creation creates a longing for the promised beauty of Heaven and a deep desire to share His Love. I hunger for the deepness of His Word. Some things are uncomfortable, for they scrape against the God skin we've grown. We are salt and light, a city set on a hill. Our "righteousness" need only be enough to flavor with His intent; God does the work. Our light brightens in the shadows of a world growing darker by the minute, God brings the lost into the fullness of that Light. Not of this World, but doing good while present, that becomes an eternal perspective. Godly sorrow's transforming tears quench a heart into His eternal peace. I am sorrowful to God, because I am wretched. In that sorrow, I received the joy of my salvation, Amazing Grace. I want more than just OK, more than slipping through the Pearly Gates and releasing a sigh of relief. Father, thank you for reaching into my heart and making me sorrowful to the point where I came to ask You to replace it with your Spirit. May I live all my days aware of my need for You every minute and prayerfully, never taking for granted the joy you produce in me because of the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus. I am only righteous because of Your Redemption, so Lord, take the "self" out of self-righteous. Replace it with humbleness and love for the earthly sorrowful. Bless me with Your words to continue speak as salt and light. Amen.
