Life is full of so much. Some days are beautiful and you live in them as a blessing and other days are just plain chaos. A goal of mine has been to walk through each day with God right beside me, in all things. I started to think on this more as I am not living so well within this goal. Not to sound like a broken record but I go back to these two verses that I came across recently and seem to be clinging to these days... For my determined purpose is that I may know Him that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly, and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers, and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness even to His death, in the hope that if possible I may attain to the spiritual and moral resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead even while in the body.~Philippians 3:10-11, Amplified
and...
And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. ~Psalm 17:15
I have always envision God being beside me constantly...like a shadow. The thought came to me this morning as to why I am not fully able to awaken each morning and see God in everything or see God in me-my actions, my thoughts, my heart. He is with me-I know that, like a shadow. His shadow is constant, even on those rainy chaotic days but there is a placement problem. Let me clarify this.
You know how your own shadow will change directions based on the location of the suns reflective rays? The same is true of God. It is not that God chooses to be moved around me like a shadow in the reflective light of my heart, but it is my hearts reflection, my hearts devotion and comittment to Him that sends out the spiritual light to reflect His presence around me. Sometimes He is behind me, sometimes He is besides me, sometimes He is in front of me.If I am to truly be satisfied, to be able to live seeing God in everything and reflecting Him back out through my life, there is only one place He should be...in front of me, leading me. I am to walk in His shadow, not He in mine. Yes, there will be days in which the chaos and frustration will dim His shadow, there will be days that He will need to carry me, but if I allow my spiritual light to shine, there will always be a glimpse of Him. In the shadow of His cross I will find comfort, He will console my heart and soul and He will lead me in His way.
So I must ask daily if I am in the shadow of His goodness? I challenge you at ask yourself this same question.
8 comments:
Hey, Pamela!
This post was awesome! Wow!
"...my hearts devotion and comittment to Him that sends out the spiritual light to reflect His presence around me." This is something that I struggle with. I do so want to reflect His presence in my everyday actions...but it doesn't always happen. In my devotional today, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, He (the devotional is from the perspective of Jesus--fabulous book!) is simply delighted that we desire to walk with Him, desire to be in His presence daily. He also says that we won't fully achieve it in this lifetime! Whew, a sigh of relief! Although I strive to do this, it just "ain't gonna" happen perfectly until I get to Heaven. But He is "delighted" that I am trying. That's all we can do...give it our best for Him.
Sorry about the length of this comment! This is the second time today God has brought this to my heart! Thank you again for the wonderful post! Enjoy your weekend!
Blessings,
Susan
Great words Pamela! I always love the pictures you include - beautiful! I love how you say He doesn't want to move but our thoughts and actions can make that happen. True! This made me think of a line I have in a poem, "When I go to the cross and it's shadow falls on me, I am reminded your grace does the same." What a wonderful truth that is! Thanks again for your words, I needed them this morning. Jill
Pamela, that is a lot to think about. The last few days have been very physically difficult for me, with a new back problem, as well as the residual nerve damage from the first one. Yesterday, I found myself so discouraged. It did not last long, but it did happen. Once I was able to compose myself, I started to "count my blessings." And then I could see God's shadow once again. As you said, He is always there; it's only my perspective that is different.
You always have beautiful thoughts, Pamela.
God Bless,
Amy:)
Pam,
Hello! We have been back in Kansas just over a week now. God always delights me when I slow down and I think that is part of why I hunger deeply to retire. Not to do nothing...but that I won't be on someone elses' time table.
I love that He brings LIGHT and that He is above me, to cast a shadow! He is elevated...if not, then others would not recognize the shadow.
Love ya,
Yolanda
"a placement problem"...
now, that will preach. I think it already has via your words. Well said, friend.
peace~elaine
This is my first visit here and I compliment you on how gorgeous the art and photography are here, especially how you have that pretty art at the top of your blog.
Was that hard to create?
Now I think my blog could use a little more art.
This is really good, Pamela. I love your visual and the analogy of the shadow. How He never moves but our heart's reflection changes His position.
"It is not that God chooses to be moved around me like a shadow in the reflective light of my heart, but it is my hearts reflection, my hearts devotion and comittment to Him that sends out the spiritual light to reflect His presence around me. Sometimes He is behind me, sometimes He is besides me, sometimes He is in front of me."
Sweet blessings,
Paula
Hi... I just stopped by to say hello! I really enjoyed reading your blog. I was blessed and inspired. Thank you for sharing!
May the Lord continue to use you in great ways!!! : )
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