My flesh will rest in hope . . .You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:9, 11**
Sometimes the war is loud, and other times it’s subtle.
My flesh cries out fear, my mind creates worst-case-scenario outcomes — all in the name of preparation. But You are after another kind of preparedness. My heart, prepared to receive that which will expand it.
You. You in all Your fullness, You the Father of light. And life. And beauty. And all that stands in opposition to the subtle death I take drags from as if I need it to survive.
Let it go, You whisper. And I realize that my adoration is my survival.
When I look at You, God, I mean really look at You, everything changes.
I find rest and I wrap it around me like a blanket on a crisp fall night. Face lit up by your bonfire crackling, I find You, Jesus, to be comfort. And every part of my tough exterior sighs relief. I can hope. You give permission and my spirit finally says yes when I adore.
You are the God of good things for Your children. You are the God whose path looks narrow to the outsider, but broad to those who walk it. Ever broadening with every day of not just exhaling adoration, but inhaling it.
How can I look at You and not have my life sing praise?
Where fear’s subtle sting leaves me empty (but living as if I am full), Your presence reveals the artificial in the face of what is real. Fullness. Joy. Pleasure. Life.
And all of it … forevermore.
How can I read these words, say them back to You — their Author — and not be changed?
Oh God, in light of You, my heart is glad. Even in my day’s hardest moments, You make my heart glad. I adore You, Father of all that is good.
**So what do I do with these posts, you ask, other than just read them? First, if you haven’t yet, read: Why I Adore to give you a context for this little space on my blog. (This post also gives context.)
If you are compelled, I invite you to participate. Set up a space and time in your own life to begin adoring. Over laundry or dinner dishes, on your commute to work, or in the wee morning hours — ten minutes is a great start. You can use the verse I list here every day or two as a launch pad for your own adoration.
Then practice praise.
Add to my adoration here, by posting a comment with your own words back to God about God …or hide it in your heart.
I promise your weary soul won’t regret it.
***You can easily subscribe to these devotional meditations as they are delivered, by using this feed: http://www.EveryBitterThingisSweet.com/posts/chai/feed or by entering your email address in the second box on the right-hand side… (scroll up a bit)
Additionally, all of the Morning Chai Posts can be seen, in the order of posting, by clicking here or adding this address to your reader: http://EveryBitterThingisSweet.com/posts/chai
