It's been about a week now that God has been stirring in my heart a longing for a bit more quiet in my life. Quiet isn't something that happens naturally in our family very often...with all our kids growing up by the minute, the hustle and bustle of life is in full swing around here on a regular basis. And I love it. I love trying desperately to keep up (by the grace of God!) with my sweet family through the ups and downs we swing through every day.
In this Lenten season, I've sensed the Lord calling me to a more focused posture lately. As I reflect on the world-altering event for all of humanity that happened because Jesus came, lived and died...I realize I need more time to be quiet. As I've expressed in past posts, I've struggled this Lenten season, finding a sacrifice to give the One who gave me His life. I realize nothing I give up or give Him can ever compare to what he gave or make me somehow worthy...I just know that He wants all of me.
For the rest of this Lenten season, I'm going to keep this place quiet. I'll be taking a break from writing here so that I can give the Lord some of my most precious commodities...my TIME, my ATTENTION, my FOCUS.
Those closest to me know what a sincere sacrifice this is for me. I've grown to love this place...to love YOU. As I pray for you and what God wants to me to lay on this alter for you and for HIS glory, He gives me a deep burden for the things I believe burden Him. He loves His church, and because I love Him, He's showing me what it looks like to love the ones He loves.
During this time of quiet, I'll be asking Him again to make this place more aligned with His heart. That it may be a place where He is known, and that His vision for those who read here would reign. What a gift to be in communion with the One who was, who is and who is to come. Everything in all of life aside, my very favorite place to be is at the feet of Jesus, and the sacrifice it takes to consistently share with you here truly does bless me as it forces me to reflect on what in my life is the most important.
I think that's why He's given me the picture of this place as an alter...one similar to the one Abraham approached as he carried Isaac, his son, forward in obedience when God asked him to offer him as a burnt offering. In faith, he walked...step after step, promising his questioning son that God would provide an acceptable sacrifice in His time. God did. But only after Abraham laid the life of his son on the alter in full obedience and full of faith that his God would deliver.
I also believe God will deliver. He's written a story in my life...in all of our lives. As He asks me to share, I will, trusting that what happens as a result is up to Him. Lately, I've also sensed Him calling me to make this a place where others can share their stories too. Stories of Him making beautiful things from what seemed like ashes. I'm so grateful to those who have shared their story so that others may know the Hope there is in Jesus.
During this break, I'm still going to update our Facebook page with the verses of the week for those of you memorizing with us this year as well as past Easter posts, and I'm praying that place becomes one where we can freely share about where God is present in our lives, and where we need to be upheld in prayer too. There is so much value in walking alongside each other in prayer. I'll also continue posting once every couple weeks on Beautifully Rooted, and will update the Facebook page on the days that happens. Next week our family is starting a fast in order to raise money and awareness for those who are hungry in Africa. We'd love for you to join us. Check the FB page for more details and info...
So until we meet again, on the other side of Easter...may you find time in your days to be still and know that He is God. And may you believe in your heart, that the same God who meets you in the quiet, is the one who gave up everything, so you could truly LIVE.
Lord, anoint our days with whisperings from your Spirit.
If no one in the world wrote or spoke another word,
we'd still have all we needed and MORE from YOU alone.
May this time of quiet, magnify that truth in our hearts
and help us realize where we need to shut out the noise of the world,
so your presence may reign in our lives.
You are my everything.
