The Faithfulness of God

Though we often break covenant with God, He is always faithful, and will never fail to keep His promises.

Below is the sermon which I preached last Sabbath. Please feel free to download it if you'd like.

I pray you'll be blessed. Remember, God is faithful!

It is Still My Cry

Written July 4, 2014

Open my eyes. Make me see
the path that You have laid for me
Guide my steps. Place my feet
firm along the way. To be
my light and guide. My all in all
surrendered to You, I cannot fall
And when I cannot hear Your call
I'll trust You, in the silence.

For You are never truly silent
You said You would not hold Your peace
Until my righteousness shines forth
So bright that it will never cease
But all I have are filthy rags
These garments shining bright, not mine--
An undeserved gift of grace
Until I see You face to face

The Mysterious Farewell

I read this this morning. I had no words. I read it over and over. I let it sink in and I let the tears flow. This is God.

Jesus pronounces woes on the Pharisees to expose their hypocrisy before the people. Then, in Desire of Ages pg 620, it reads...

“Divine pity marked the countenance of the Son of God as He cast one lingering look upon the temple and then upon His hearers. In a voice choked by deep anguish of heart and bitter tears He exclaimed, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!’ This is the separation struggle. In the lamentation of Christ the very heart of God is pouring itself forth. It is the mysterious farewell of the long-suffering love of the Deity.”

“What wonderous love...” can only lead to... 

what wondrous pain.

the separation struggle...

the mysterious farewell...
long-suffering love...

...the very heart of God.

“O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem...”

He of Whom Prophets Had Spoken

The Father cried tears
The Son's heart was broken
Yes, this was He
Of whom prophets had spoken

The Lamb on a cross
The God on a tree
The King crowned with thorns
In shame and glory

What love there displayed!
What justice was done
When God, in pain
Gave His only Son

Darkness surrounds Him
Bruised, bloody, naked
He cries in the silence
"Why have You forsaken?"

His question resounds
In my quivering heart
Breathless, I listen
Then it pierces the dark:

"It is finished!" His voice
Shakes me, and the earth
Convulses and mourns
As He suffers the curse

We fall to the ground
In terror and wonder
I tremble to watch
The Trinity sundered

Who is this God?
This God on a tree
It should have been me
It should have been me

For I slapped Him and scorned Him
I mocked Him that day
Yet, "Father, forgive them"
Was all He would say

The tears of the Father
Break into my soul
I look to my Savior
Shattered, made whole

He saved me by grace
Conquered death by His love
He is risen, and now
Interceding above

Forget not this story
It cost God His life
Remember His love
Remember the price

The Father cried tears
The Son's heart was broken
Yes, this was He
Of whom prophets had spoken.

July 5, 2014

8 Years Old

Yesterday I turned 8 years old. 

I think back to that day, 8 years ago. It's a moment to remember -- plunging down into that watery grave, coming up in newness of life. It's not I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 

Young and unafraid, I declared to the universe whose soldier I was. My Commander had my heart and my life, and I was willing to enter the thick of battle for Him. It was solemn, yet I was full of joy. With childlike faith I surrendered all to Jesus. 

A lot can happen in 8 years. It's only by the grace of God that I am still His. Along with growing up comes the cares of this life -- first teenage temptations and now more “mature” adult stuff. But though it all my God has remained faithful and unchanging. 

I want to have the love, faith, and fire of that moment when I took my first breath as a newborn in the family of God. I want to once again be like that child of 8 years ago, trusting simply in my Heavenly Father. 

He is calling me, and He is calling you. 

Live like a little child.

Rays of His Love

Standing outside, soaking up the little bit of Scandinavian sun that I can. It's 9:16 am. Crows and other more pleasant twitterpated birds accompany this still moment. The occasional car drives by and disrupts the otherwise serene Skåne countryside (if you can call it serene with scores of crows making their presence all too known).

In a few minutes, I will be in a car, off to church. But I just wanted to share this moment with you.

Remember, the clouds may come and the sky may not always be blue, but the sun is still there.

God never changes. His faithfulness remains. So soak up every ray of His love.

I can assure you, His love is much more abundant than the Scandinavian sun.

(This beautiful place is not Skåne, but Norway)

Morning Cry

In Your mercy, O Lord, hear my cry. You alone search the mind and test the heart. I'm coming to You because I have nothing—no wisdom, no strength, no righteousness, no love—nothing of my own. I realize my utter dependence on You. You know the turmoil in my mind, the battle with my thoughts, the weakness of my heart. Deliver me from myself. I give You permission to save me at any cost. 

I'm casting myself—broken, bruised, battered—at the foot of the cross. 

I'm tired of fighting, Lord. 

Yet when I behold the Lamb of God—broken, bruised, battered—I'm reminded that the battle is the Lord's. The victory is won. 

But at no small price.

God hung on a tree. God was sundered,

                                                                                   torn      apart,

                                                                                                                 forsaken. 

God died…and paid the eternal consequence

for me.

I'm letting it sink in.

Love has won the victory                            

…in my heart.

"I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only"

(Psalm 71:16 NKJV)

Thank You, Father.

In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus.

Amen

Humble Prayer

Father hear me now when I am humbled 

I fear that I will soon forget 

Now I have no strength to stand and stumble 

I have no wish to leave You yet 

O Holy Father hear me now 

When flesh is strong and spirit weak 

Please break my back if I won't bow 

Won't You have Your way with me? 

Father hear me now when I am humbled 

When I am bent with holy shame 

All the lies that I believed have crumbled 

The blood of Christ my only claim 

I cannot my trust my own designs 

My heart is prone to disobey 

So listen Lord while there is time 

Chain me fast if I won't stay 

Take my life and have Your way 

Please hear me Lord this blessed hour 

When sin has loosed it's hold on me 

Thy mercy is a mighty tower 

So why should I not trust in Thee? 

Father, have Your way with me

- Andrew Peterson

http://youtu.be/-ACFLwISQ90

The Path

Note to the reader: I began writing this about 3 months ago, about the time that I wrote the post, "Ramblings of a Nomad."

I'm stumbling around in the dark, trying to feel my way. But wait, I know it's not dark in here. Then why can't I see anything?

Wait, who's that? Jesus? Oh, it's so nice You're here.

What am I doing? Well, I have things to do, places to go. That's where I'm headed right now. If You'd like, You can come with me. You'd love to? Great, just follow me! We just need to go out the door, and over the hill, around the corner and over the bridge and...

What did you say? That's not the way? Don't worry, I can figure this out myself. Just out this door. See? We're already halfway up the hill. Phew, this is a lot harder than I expected.

What's that? Did You say something? Did You say there's a -- whooooaaaaaa!

Ohhh...ouch. I think I scraped my knees. I didn't see that small cliff ahead. I guess I couldn't.

I'm blindfolded.

I can't even see one step ahead of me. I think I know my way around, but that doesn't change the fact that I can't see a thing. Now I'm worried. What if I fall again? What if there is something blocking the path?

Jesus? You came down the hill with me. I'm sorry for forgetting that I can't see. Will You lead me? Whenever I think I can figure things out, I run into a dead end, or an unexpected pitfall, or an obstacle in the path. You even promised to lead me, and You've faithfully led me before.

Just lead the way, Lord. You want to lead me by the hand? I would love that!

Wait! What are You doing? We're just going around in circles! Now I have no clue which way is left or right or up or down. I feel completely disoriented. How am I supposed to find the path?

Are you leading or am I?

Oh. No, Lord, of course You must lead. You can see, and I can't. You can find the path. Or rather, You already know the way.

But I have one question. For how long must I wear this blindfold? Until the end? But how far, how long till we reach the end? I weary of the journey sometimes.

Jesus? You are strangely silent now. Yet I feel perfectly at peace with my hand in Yours. Where are we going?

Just trust Me.

Just trust You, Lord? Is that all?

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this” (John 13:7).

That's good enough for me, Lord. I can't wait until that day. Because I won't only know all the reasons why You lead me in these paths, but I will finally know You face to face -- You who knew me before You formed me in the womb. "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

"You do not give strength to the road you are travelling by [having] faith. But you increase in strength and in assurance because you have a Guide right by your side, and you can ask Him with perfect faith to guide your steps aright.

"Then trust in the Lord Jesus to lead you step by step into the right path. You can derive assurance and strength at every step you advance, ... You can 'run and not be weary'; you can 'walk and not faint,' for you can realize by faith that you have your hand in the hand of Christ. You will not sink under discouragement, for as you follow on to know the Lord, trusting in Him, you will have the assurance that the One who never forsakes those who fully trust Him is your constant Helper." 

(Ellen White; Letter 313, November 2, 1905, to Mabel White, her 19-year-old granddaughter)

A Better Country

"We are Strangers and Pilgrims"

For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. - Heb 11:14-16

Ramblings of a Nomad

My original intent was to write a note letting you all know that I'm not writing a post yet. Indeed, this still is my aim, to point you to the forthcoming post(s). However, as I write, I'm aware that I have an itch to scratch, on my brain somewhere, and I think writing will help. I'm afraid you are all about to fall prey to the ramblings of a nomad.

This nomad is not the kind who lives in tents and herds sheep somewhere in the Middle East (forgive me if anything I write at this hour is politically incorrect). This nomad is a 19-year-old girl, a Filipino born in Australia, living in Canada, though never at home for more than 3 weeks at a time. I seem to spend most of my life packing suitcases and preparing for the next take-off.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining at all. I love to travel. I love seeing new places and meeting new friends. I love fresh experiences, and growing from them, whether good or bad.

(Now, I can easily say most of that in retrospect. A lot of times when I experience something new, I stress and get worried about everything my imagination can conjure up, and bad experiences are never fun while they're happening. Thankfully, God is teaching me through experience that I can trust Him with every single thing.)

I will leave the details of my recent adventures for future posts. For now, on a more serious note...

Sometimes, I get weary of my nomadic life. Sometimes I wish I could just settle down in one place for a decade or so, and skip all the hopping from place to place, living out of two now very familiar suitcases, trying to drag (or decide whether or not to drag) my violin all around the world, and avoid the pressure of keeping up with transportation schedules. Sometimes I wish I could just stay in an English-speaking country and not have to deal with the confusion and frustration of not being able to communicate, or the risk and embarrassment of trying and saying something weird. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to learn how to act and react in a different culture. Sometimes I wish I could just see and pay for everything in Canadian dollars. Sometimes I wish I knew what the next 5 years' plan for my life is, set in stone. Sometimes I wish I could just have a 'normal' life.

Sometimes.

At other times, or most times, I would not trade this life for any other. My life has been full of unexpected turns and hills, of bright moments and dark moments, of times when God threw doors open wide and times when He closed doors in my face, but He has never failed me. He has been constantly present at my side, guiding me, helping me, comforting me, teaching me, loving me. Looking back at my "solo times" with God in the various places where my travels have taken me, I see a special string of unforgettable moments in communion with Him.

They were mountain-top experiences...

...and often quite literally.

I would not trade these for the world. And looking back, every place where God has led me has proved (or surely will prove) to be an invaluable step in my life.

Though tired of hopping, I gain strength from hopping.

I will cling to the lessons I'm learning from the stories of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Joseph. They were nomads too.

Whenever God calls, I will go, even if I don't know where I am going.
I will trust even my very life's blood to the One who never fails to keep His promises.
Though the future is unknown, and past sins and failures are enough to make me weep at the feet of Jesus, I will surely struggle with that Angel and prevail, never relinquishing my desire for the promised blessing.
Even if I found myself thrown into a pit, dragged off as a slave to a foreign land, cast into prison in spite of my innocence...

God is faithful, and I choose to remain faithful

to the end,

knowing that it is His power working in me which actualizes the results of that choice.

If the reason I'm a nomad is because it is fulfilling God's purposes, then I am perfectly content. I can trust Him with my life and with every step.

Because He leadeth me.

Letter from a Faraway Friend

I started writing this in an email, but soon decided I wanted to share it here. It's a letter to my class, but I pray you will find a blessing in it too.

__________________________________________

Dear Class Family,

I just realized that I haven't talked to bunches of you all in a long time. And bunches of us haven't talked to other bunches of us in a long time. This is not good...but we can make it better! 

Just an update from my side...

I've been here in Germany for an internship with Amazing Facts Europe since April. They started the first AFCOE-Europe here then too, and it's been going well and God has blessed. It's been quite the experience working here while these two organizations are in "creation" phase. I've learned so much, about working in a multicultural setting, starting ministries, and living with all sorts of different people. It's really a blessing and privilege to be here. Personally, I've been able to learn some German, and I've had the opportunity to learn new things like social media, photography (anyone want to sponsor my new interest? lol), coordinating church services, and planning trips around a bit of Europe by myself (which would be much more fun if one of YOU could join me! Anyone want to come over in August?). 

Spiritually, I've learned so much and grown a lot. But I think I can sum it up in a few words:

My identity is not in what I do. Even if it is God's purpose and calling for my life, I should not -- no, cannot -- define or identify myself by what I do. My identity is not who I am, but who God is. Who is God? God is love. Thus, my identity is a covenantal, marriage relationship with God -- "Till death do we part"; and my purpose is to be a disciple of Christ, doing what a disciple of Christ does--making disciples. The way to make disciples is to love, because of my identity. Because God is love.

We can never dwell on that thought too much. "God is love" seems so simple, but I think we make life, and much more our spiritual life, too complicated. It's human. I am very much human, I've realized a lot in the past year. But God is very much God, and He is merciful and patient...by His grace working in me, I can live and love and lead more like Jesus every day. Only by His grace!

Life gets busy, distances expand, and time grows old. But once upon a time, in a land far away, between the mountains, across the river, where little people pick up orange orbs from the ground, a group of those little people once lived together. Prayed together. Laughed together. Cried together. That year was a milestone in our lives -- and I also believe it was in our spiritual lives as well. 

So, I want to appeal to you: Remember your identity in Christ. I know we each discovered our identity in a deep way that year, and I believe God has taught us each more since then. But it's easy to forget. I don't know what it will take to remember, but I encourage you, take some solo time, like the time we had in Kauai our last Sabbath there, and ask God to help you remember your identity in Christ. In the past two years, life has thrown trials at me like a whirlwind, and all I could do was cling to God and my God-given identity. I have a feeling it's been similar for you. Remember your God-given identity, and cling to it. Because God is clinging to you.

Perhaps I'm the only one who misses you all so much right now. But I don't really think so. Someday very soon, we will have a real family reunion. Not in Kauai, not in Europe, not at Fountainview, but in the land that is fairer than day -- with Jesus, who has kept us faithfully.

Since that day we marched with purple and black.

To the Class of Twenty Eleven.

With love in Christ,

A Faraway Friend

Sorry, I couldn't resist :)

A Letter from God

People have often called the Bible "God's letter to us." My question is, how often do we actually read it as such? As His personal, handwritten letter of love...

to you?

Below, I want to share a compilation of passages from God's word which spoke to my heart.

Pray. Read it. Live it. 

After all, it's not only my story.

It's yours, too.

*References are at the end.

____________________________________

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.

Your birth and your nativity are from the land of Canaan; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. As for your nativity, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. No eye pitied you, to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you; but you were thrown out into the open field, when you yourself were loathed on the day you were born.

And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, "Live!" Yes, I said to you in your blood, "Live!"

When Israel was a child, I loved him,

And out of Egypt I called My son....

I taught Ephraim to walk,

Taking them by their arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

I drew them with gentle cords,

With bands of love,

And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.

I stooped and fed them.

When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine.

Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty. Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you.

I remember you,

The kindness of your youth,

The love of your betrothal,

When you went after Me in the wilderness,

In a land not sown.

But you trusted in your own beauty, played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it. You took some of your garments and adorned multicolored high places for yourself, and played the harlot on them. Such things should not happen, nor be. You have also taken your beautiful jewelry from My gold and My silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself male images and played the harlot with them. You took your embroidered garments and covered them, and you set My oil and My incense before them. Also My food which I gave you—the pastry of fine flour, oil, and honey which I fed you—you set it before them as sweet incense; and so it was.

And in all your abominations and acts of harlotry you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, struggling in your blood.

The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron;
With the point of a diamond it is engraved
On the tablet of their heart

You have plowed wickedness;

You have reaped iniquity.

You have eaten the fruit of lies,

Because you trusted in your own way,

In the multitude of your mighty men.

Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, So have you dealt treacherously with Me...

Now then, O harlot, hear the word of the Lord! ... Because your filthiness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered in your harlotry with your lovers, and with all your abominable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them... I will lay to rest My fury toward you, and My jealousy shall depart from you. I will be quiet, and be angry no more. Because you did not remember the days of your youth, but agitated Me with all these things, surely I will also recompense your deeds on your own head.

How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I set you like Zeboiim?

My heart churns within Me;

My sympathy is stirred.

I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;

I will not again destroy Ephraim.

For I am God, and not man,

The Holy One in your midst;

And I will not come with terror.

Return, O backsliding children...for I am married to you.

Now, therefore...

Turn to Me with all your heart,

With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord,

And take away the foreskins of your hearts,

Sow for yourselves righteousness;

Reap in mercy;

Break up your fallow ground,

For it is time to seek the Lord,

Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

Come now, and let us reason together...

Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

I have formed you, you are My servant;

...you will not be forgotten by Me!

I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,

And like a cloud, your sins.

Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

Can a woman forget her nursing child, 

And not have compassion on the son of her womb? 

Surely they may forget, 

Yet I will not forget you. 

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.

Those [wounds] with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed.... And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done.

For the mountains shall depart

And the hills be removed,

But My kindness shall not depart from you,

Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the Lord your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I gave Egypt for your ransom,

Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Since you were precious in My sight,

You have been honored,

And I have loved you;

Therefore, behold, I will allure her,

Will bring her into the wilderness,

And speak comfort to her.

I will give her her vineyards from there,

And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope;

She shall sing there,

As in the days of her youth,

As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.

And it shall be, in that day...

That you will call Me "My Husband,"

And no longer call Me "My Master,"

You are all fair, my love,

And there is no spot in you.

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;

Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

I will betroth you to Me forever;

Yes, I will betroth you to Me

In righteousness and justice,

In lovingkindness and mercy;

I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,

And you shall know the Lord.

Let not your heart be troubled... In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days... I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them... For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.

Behold, I make all things new.

Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away.
For lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth her green figs,
And the vines with the tender grapes
Give a good smell.
Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away!

(Jer 1:5; Eze 16:3-6; Hos 11:1-4; Eze 16:8-14; Jer 2:2; Eze 16:15-19, 22; Jer 17:1; Hos 10:13; Jer 3:20; Eze 16:35-43; Hos 11:8-9; Jer 3:14; Joel 2:12; Jer 4:4; Hos 10:12; Isa 1:18; Eze 36:25,26; Isa 44:21,22, 49:15,16; Zech 13:6; Eze 16:60-63; Isa 54:10, 43:1-4; Hos 2:14-16; Song 4:7; Jer 31:3; Hos 2:19-20; John 14:1-3,27, 13:34,35; Mat 28:18-20; Rev 3:11,12; Jer 31:33,34; Rev 21:5; Song 2:10-13)

The Inn (Running in the Rain)

It's been a long time since I posted anything. So much has happened, and if I were to tell it all Blogger might malfunction or the post might go on for eternity. Well, not quite. I hope to start blogging more, and to describe life in Germany and the things we've done and the lessons God has been teaching me.

But right now I want to share something in particular. I recently felt the need to write something, anything, one night. There are those times when you just need some time for creative expression. For me, this usually becomes an offering of worship to God. 

I sat on the windowsill with pen and paper in hand, with a headlamp to illumine the night. As I poured out my heart to God, a precious nightly routine, a picture flashed in my mind's eye. Quickly, I tried to capture it in words. The picture is a story, and for me the person in the picture story was myself, and I know God used it to teach me and bless me. In reality, though, I believe it tells the story of every Christian's experience in the rainstorms of life.

Read it carefully and prayerfully. Close your eyes and see the picture. 

I believe you will find yourself in the story.

I really do.

____________________________________

The Inn

I'm running

Over hills of green, with clouds above

A thunder crash spurs me on

As sky touches earth with rain

The masses above, rolling, enfolding

Black like midnight ink

A flash lights my way

Fading in the misty grey

I'm soaking

Clothes plastered to my skin

I look behind and hurry on

I search, look for the place

Where shelter may be found

Beneath the leafy green

To hide, from storm unseen

I'm tired

The distance stretches on

The pounding of my weary feet

Along the path, echoing

The beating of my heart

With short, panting breath

Pausing for a rest

I'm kneeling

Who cares about the mud

Rain and mist swirl around

No song of bird, nor snap of twig

To break the stillness now

I bow my dripping head

And hear a voice, instead

I'm here

Get up, go on My child

Don't stay here in the rain

For just ahead, o'er one more hill

Awaits a little Inn

It's safe and dry

There now, don't cry

I'm walking

The rain begins to cease

And sun lights up the path

My hand in His, we reach the top

Look, I see the Inn!

He, smiling, urges me

So I run, eagerly

I'm running

Valerie Jacobson

June 12, 2013