The Blessed Soul

Longing

When I was growing up, there was this song we sang in church all the time - As the deer pantith for the water. . . So my soul longeth after thee.

I grew up in more of a formal, nondenominational setting 

where worship was completely disconnected from any sort of emotional experience. It was more  liturgical. I remember watching adults sing the song with such confidence and peace. I felt so unworthy while they sang it. 

I especially remember my teenage years. I would go from being in services where this song was sang, and walk out wondering why I had such questions. I dealt with frustration, confusion, and even anger at times. 

I felt so hypocritical. 

How could I sing such a song- if I wasn’t getting along with my family? 

How could I worship to such lyrics -when I was in a fight with my friends? 

Even worse, When a good friend, Sara died of cancer, - I didn’t feel comfort from the words of this song. I felt let down. I questioned God,. . . I didn’t long for him. 

If I’m honest, there are times even now - 

I know God is good. 

I know God is in control

I even Know God loves me. . . . 

But it’s easy to walk through things that hurt, and lose the desire to want to worship him. 

Does that make me an awful person? 

Am I evil, that there are times in my life where I have just been too exasperated to lift my voice in praise? 

Loved

when was the last time you just opened your heart and allowed God to love you. No apologies, no excuses, no time to clean up your mess, or wash the smell of the pigs from your skin, just right where you are, unashamed acceptance for the love God has for you. 

I think we have an easy time identifying as one of the sons or even understanding their positions, but somehow we walk away feeling forgiven - at best - instead of loved. This wasn’t a story of forgiveness. This was a deep, counterculturally radical statement, that profoundly announced the unashamed love of the Father. 

The father said, “My son was lost, but now is found.” 

Why? 

Because he was out living a life away from the father? 

Because he wasted his inheritance? 

Because he dishonored or disrespected the Father? 

No. 

The son came back thinking he was only worthy to be a servant. He thought the only hope was for him to be a hired hand. You see, he had lost his identity as a child of the father.  

And the father could see it all over his face. 

So he placed a ring on his finger, a robe on his back, and proclaimed him as his son. The love of the father once again reclaimed the boy as his son. 

Did you know that the father deeply loves you. 

Jesus told this story so people would understand the depth of that love. 

But sometimes we need to stop and be loved. 

We need to forget what we’ve done, let go of how we feel, and simply be held in the arms of the Father. 

Paul reminds us this in Romans 8:38-39

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

The Slimy Pit

I’m impatient. 

I don’t like to wait for anything! 

Drive slow in front of me, and I might exercise my right to play my horn

Take your time walking, and you will see me go flying around you

When someone is trying to open something or move something and they are struggling, you can usually hear me say, “Just let me do it!”

I’m sure some of that also comes from being a control freak, but the truth is, I don’t like to wait for anything. 

I get so impatient! 

But you know when I’m the worst? 

When I don’t see God answering my prayers. 

I feel like there are times when I can ask and ask and ask God, and I can’t help but wonder, 

DOES HE HEAR ME? Why isn’t he answering my prayer right now? 

You know what happens when I get impatient? 

I try to fix things myself! I say I’m waiting for God, but instead I’m working my solutions to death by day, or  I’m tossing and turning at night, only to find myself more worn out, wondering if God will ever answer me. 

Your Eyes Will Be Opened

Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God. . . . 

There was more to the sentence, but I imagine that Adam and Eve stood there in awe. 

Perhaps they didn’t even know that they weren’t like God until that moment. 

What was said to them created a deep question. 

It’s the same question you and I struggle with all the time. 

Am I good enough? 

It’s easy to feel like we don’t measure up. We watch what other people present as their life and are quickly drawn into this comparison trap that gets us tangled up in our own thoughts. 

Adam and Eve heard these words, and desired to be more. They wanted to know that they were just as worthy and strong. But what were they comparing themselves to?  

The Almighty God. 

So they gave in. 

They ate the fruit that brought disobedience into the world. 

And with it, came the endless pursuit that you and I struggle with today. . . 

I have to compare. 

I have the endless need to measure myself against those around me 

And in the end, I must come out worthy. I must be the best! 

Chaotic Nothingness

I’m proud of you! 

Those are words we all long to hear aren’t they? 

It’s actually one of the earliest stages of development in a child. As they learn they are safe and cared for, they begin to look for approval from those around them. They long to find approval in the eye of those closest to them. 

I’m no different. 

I want to be liked. 

I long for people to think highly of me. 

I want others to say good things about me and want to be around me. 

It’s just part of life. 

But the hard part is, sometimes I can’t even be proud of myself. I know my thoughts. I know what I’ve done in life. I know how deceptively evil - and selfish - my heart can be at times. 

No, those aren’t the parts we admit to others. 

We don’t want people to think less of us. After all, we want approval! 

 

What if God has a way of looking at us with complete approval. In fact, what if God has a way of looking at you and me, in the middle of our mess and chaos, and still says - Very Good! 

Rest or Faint

But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. 

 

Isaiah 40:31 has always been one of my favorite verses. 

 

It sounds so promising, doesn’t it? 

 

Imagine running and not growing weary, walking and not fainting. 

 

I don’t know if you have ever been in a session of exhaustion or not, but it can be so debilitating. I like to repeat this verse to myself in moments of depletion.

 

But it wasn’t until recently that I understood what this verse really means. 

 

And I learned it, by watching a hawk. 

I’m Done!

Have you ever felt like quitting? 

You know that moment when you can't take any more. It feels like your spirit is crushed and you have nothing lift to fight with. In those moments, what do you do with that pain? 

It seems like we often think we shouldn't voice those feelings of weariness to God. 

But what if I told you that Jesus expressed those very feelings to the Lord. 

In this episode, we will look at how to express feelings of empty, tired, weariness. As we find blessing inside of committing our spirit to the Lord. 

Lack Nothing

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

What bold words from David. 

I don't know about you, but I would love that to be what I was able to say. That's not my story, however.

In the 23rd Psalm, we see how David is able to get to the spot of saying that he lacks nothing. The surprising, yet comforting, thing is that he finds the peace to say it in the middle of the valleys. 

As you receive this blessing today, may you be able to face even the darkest valley - the shadow of death. And in it, may you find way to say that the Lord leads you to a green pasture, where you lack nothing! 

Good Things

If I ask you to recall the last 5 good things that happened to you, would you be able to do it? 

If so, answer this, is it easier to bring the good things to memory or the bad things? 

It seems like it's easy for our mind to be plagued with the things we don't want, rather than the many great things that have happened for us. 

In Psalm 13, David gives a cry we have all felt before. He says, 

"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?"

From here, however, he continues to hep us understand how faithful and good God really is! 

As you take this in, may your eyes be opened to understanding the faithful goodness of God! 

May the dark clouds that tend to overcast our vision of God's goodness, begin to be illuminated as you once again see the goodness of God! 

Majestic

It's beautiful, isn't it. 

The majestically pronounced splendor of creation. 

I don't know how often you stop and actually see it, but when you do, it's impossible not to be in awe. 

Yet did you know, that more beautifully majestic part piece of all creation is you? 

God created you with the ability to echo the beauty of an awesome creator! He puts dominion and authority directly into His prized piece of creation. YOU! 

In Psalm eight, the writer echoes,

"Oh, Lord, our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth!"

He stops and recognizes the awesome beauty of God. And then, with this in mind, recognizes the humbling honor to be placed right in the middle of such an intricate masterpiece. 

As you listen to this episode, may it lead you to an understanding of the significant place you hold inside the creation of God. 

May it cause you to smile as you look at the beauty around you, and may it give you the voice, to echo such creation!