“And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.” Psalm 72:19
Is it that big, Your glory? Big enough to fill the whole earth?
The prayer prayed — the request, made — was initiated by You. Your ways are higher, God. I adore You for vision unending.
You are higher than just the few moments, the too-few thoughts, won over to You in my day. You are higher than the picture I paint of You in my mind and the words I speak about You in my home. You are higher than my vision and higher than my interpretation.
Your glory is a flood.
I accept drips and drops of You over my parched existence, that I think just might be submerged — until I look at what Your Word says about You.
Father, I barely know You.
My soul squeals at the first signs of rain. I dance in the summer heat, interrupted by its water’s washing. I find delight in just a little bit of You.
But You, You aren’t a light sprinkling. Nor are You merely a downpour.
You are a deluge. And You offer me to open wide and drink.
Yes, Your glory is that big, Father of sprinkled reminders for the drought-ridden people who aren’t ready for the outpouring which You offer.
I love You, glory springing up all over my life, who tenderly endows when I but ask.
You warm me up to You, kindly, but promise that there is more for my seeking. Glory surrounds my day, whispers of light breaking through darkness — can I see it? There is an offering for my every moment, a secret tucked away in mundanity, in the form of Your glory. You will fill and You are filling. Your glory expands.
Though other, it is accessible. Your glory is for my gazing. I can study You in the form on which Your beauty rests on all that I see with my plain eyes. You show me layers, oh God of glory.
Participatory glory, that is what You offer.
I bestow and I partake and You receive more from my eating. I press in, I reach and ask for more and when You respond Your perceived glory grows.
I adore You, Father who involves me in Your glory. I thank You that glory doesn’t slip through my fingers or pass by my home but wells up, within, and overtakes me. If the earth is filled with Your glory, then this prayer includes me, too.
You dispense glory and You receive glory. You offer me the exchange for which my life most craves. I link arms with You in Your glory and my imperfection, sin’s stain, gets hidden in all that is You.
I am not disqualified, but invited.
I cry out with the rocks: the earth was made to reveal glory.
And it’s right here, in the mere seeking to participate in Your glory and adoring with the words which You first gave me, that I come alive.
Your glory fills me.
Father of glory, I am blessed to call You Daddy.
First photo compliments of Mandie Joy. Second and third photo compliments of Cherish Andrea Photography.
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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 and Morning Chai, Explained to give you a context for this little space on my blog.
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 — five or 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. (Showing Up gives you some practicals.)
Then practice praise.
I promise your weary soul won’t regret it.
You can see all of the Morning Chai posts with this link: http://www.EveryBitterThingisSweet.com/posts/chai/ and 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.
