Compelled
to seek beauty this evening, I closed the laptop and headed for the lake. Thought I might scout for driftwood to use in
creating a Mason jar chandelier for my daughter’s upcoming wedding. Stepping carefully over waterlogged giants, I
listened as acorns dropped and a heron took wing. Trunks and limbs embraced in death on the
small stretch of beach. Meanwhile, I
planted live oak seeds with my wandering feet amid pebbles. Daily I deal with death and new life up from
graves. The new life is at times
difficult to see – like the acorns forced into soil by my meandering feet. But, faith sees beyond decaying shells, ragged
tents, and sealed tombs!!
Refresh My Perspective, Lord Jesus |
Child of God and Kingdom Priest |
Admittedly,
perspective must be refreshed daily, else my heart recoil from seeing life ebb
away, and bodies waste. There are times
when my eyes search desperate for heaven’s beauty now!! When impatiently, I yearn for visual rest,
and welcome the sight of cherub faced grandchildren, simple scenes, handcrafted
things. None of which, precious as they
may be, can replace gazing upon the beauty of the Lord. Only then, in the light of His glory and
grace, do things of earth grow strangely dim, including suffering, whether
personal or observed. When I look into
His eyes of love, I comprehend all suffering known to man is light and
momentary, not to be compared with the glory of heaven!! My thinking realigns with eternity and His
life swells inside me like water turned to wine to gladden the hearts of
others.
God does
not plant carelessly, randomly forcing me into hardened earth to produce a
crop, like I drove acorns into the beach.
Rather He applies just enough pressure to achieve the depth
desired. This He delivers in the form of
a Prodigal Father’s embrace, a tight hug, drawing me into deeper fellowship
than ever before!!
The Scripture teaches that by His stripes we are
healed. This comes to mind every time I
pass the “clawed fields” on my route, row upon row cut, prepared, waiting to
receive seed. In the same way, Christ
became The Firstborn of many brethren, firstfruits of the resurrection. IN Him we were buried and raised to walk in
newness of life – Kingdom life. Should I
not therefore accept cultivation? Accept
plowing and pruning necessary to producing a harvest in and through me?
Moroccan Light on My Life's Path |
Lamp Unto My Feet: Glory Shine of World Mandate 2012 |
Living as a Planting of the Lord in His Shadow,
Terry