We had a worship chapel this morning and I was more than refreshed. For a portion of the service we took some time to pray and to cry out with earnest hearts to the Lord concerning our shortcomings and our desperate need of God’s graces. Something that the worship leader said stuck out to me. He said “worship the Lord with your weaknesses; worship the Lord in your wounds.”
I felt so weak this morning, so inadequate. I have been sick all week with the flu and who knows what else. I can’t remember a time of more physical frailty. And yet unlike so many human institutions that are always requiring that I be ready and prepared and put-together, this morning God was telling me to come just as I was. Every weakness in hand, every failure in mind, every blemish unhidden, and with no shame. I could sing that he made beautiful things, knowing that that aspect of beauty refers to this depravity of mine that he can make new. He knows how to redeem what he already calls good.
How precious these moments are when our pride is lowered to the point when we know we are weak and yet see him in the heights in our place, as our reward. To know that he is and that he always will be in this position of glory as our God.. truly there is no greater rest than this. I encourage you today to sit at the feet of Jesus, to seek his glory, to seek his face. For no other reason than because he is so much greater, so much bigger than whatever trial, whatever mountain, whatever giant you are facing. Take heart, dear brother or sister, your God can. And if you don’t know him in this way, I urge you to discover for yourself what Jesus meant when he said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28.
By His wounds, may we be healed…not just once, but every day, in every circumstance, in every weakness and failure and fault. “There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, and love for the broken heart. There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing, he’ll meet you wherever you are, cry out to Jesus.”
Be encouraged.
Blessings.
I remember well a time in Wisconsin when i penned in a notebook "I learn when I break." I can't remember why i wrote this but it comes to mind. I have experienced similar times and they are so rewarding. We don't generally expect that our sickness or depravity will bring about a showing of grace because we seem to frail to seek the LORD. But it is in these times I believe he seeks us out. I seem to recall a time when you had injured your ankle. It was quite a long time before you were better... From what i've seen you are quite the trooper. That's why God show's Himself to you. you're always willing to accept His grace. I am blessed once again by your experiences with our LORD. I do hope you feel better asap and I'll continue to pray for you. I hope to see you soon? you'll be around in the near future yes? Anyway, ttfn, ta ta for now.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ethan. Yes how precious it is that He seeks us out. I feel so unworthy, yet so thankful to be able to speak of grace. I will be around in the newr future!! I'll be home a week from tomorrow. Time sure does fly. Looking forward to it.
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