His “Glory-bearers”…

Tears fall down her cheeks.  Her spirit, broken into a thousand pieces.  She struggles to speak…fights for the words to describe the pain that has ripped through her heart.  And as she grasps for meaning to the lies that has almost split her world in half, she whispers through the sadness…” I want to respond like Christ.” 

I catch my breath.  I expect anger and frustration.  I await a flood of emotion and hysteria…instead, a whisper for more.  More of Jesus.  God-glory fills the room.  His radiance beams out of her cries.  She is hurt, but she still longs to sing HIS PRAISE. 

I sit in stunned silence.  Could this be happening?  This could just as easily have been me…yet could I be like her?  Could I find resolve in such a horrific situation and surrender my rights in order for God to receive the glory?  The questions fill my brain as I watch her.  She lovingly takes his hand.  This man who stands with such integrity in the face of such persecution.  The battle raging inside can be seen through his eyes.  The struggle is there, but the resolve is stronger.  This solider, this warrior, fighting for truth, standing his ground.  And in the end, truth prevails.  The scars run deep, but the victory is won.  The pain is etched across his features, but peace seems to settle over his soul.  And I want to fall to my knees.  I want to scream out against injustice!  Anger rises to the surface of my heart!  But I watch them.  And I see such beauty.  I see Jesus Himself.  I am sitting in His presence right here, right now, in this very room.  And anger dissolves, thankfulness is birthed. 

My eyes behold the God-glory…and it is almost too much to take in.  This couple, seated before me, is proof that there is a God, that He is real, that He is alive, and that He can change lives!  Everything about this situation screams out injustice!  But bigger than the injustice done, is the God living inside!  And that very same God is working His wonders…I can feel it.  I can see it.  Oh the pain is real, the wound is so very tender, so very raw.  But the miracle of healing has already begun.  Satan does not own the victory, he fights a loosing battle, for the victory is the Lord’s!

Humbly we bow, together we come before the throne room of grace.  We receive His goodness and He abundantly bestows!  What Satan means for bad, God will use for good.  We believe.  We trust.  Our faith is strengthened.  Our hope is restored.  

“Though the pain may last for the night, joy comes in the morning”. 

Peace for my Soul…

I can’t stop seeing the hurt in his eyes.  The deep pain that has changed him forever.  I can’t stop hearing the anguish in her story…the hurt from being accused and dismissed.  The images won’t leave my mind…the hungry, the hurting, the needy.  I see the need…I feel it in the center of my being.  I see the tears.  I feel them as they fall down her cheeks.  What can I do?  How do I help?  My soul cries out!  I can’t rest until I DO something. 

And then I hear it.  That soft Whisper that has become such a dear and trusted Friend.  The Holy Wind that blows across my heart and bids me come.  I fall.  On my face, I fall into His presence.  I fall hungry, hurting, and needy at His feet!  And there I stay.  I unleash my soul before Him…it all comes tumbling out in gushes. 

He says STOP.  He says INTERCEDE.  PRAY.  I bear my soul before the Almighty.  DO THIS.  I am doing what doesn’t make sense.  But in doing, peace starts to chip away the pieces of distress.  I can accomplish nothing apart from the ONE who accomplishes all.  So, in His presence I sit.  I lay aside frivolous things.  He convicts and disciplines my wayward heart.  I humbly bow.  It hurts, this growing up in the Lord.  But I know the growing pains will only bring me closer…closer to the One who my very soul longs to apart of.  So I confess.  And I bow lower.  Until I am prostrate on my bedroom floor, I bow.  And He says “Stay and Do”.  This is what I am to do for the hurt in his eyes.  This is what I am to do for the anguish in her story, the hurt from being accused and dismissed.  This is what I am to do for the tears as they fall down her cheeks.  I am to bow low, and usher their requests before the throne room of the Creator Himself…the great I AM. 

And when He sets me on my feet again, I am to go.  I am to feed the hungry, comfort the hurting, and help the needy.  I am to be His hands and feet.