An Earnest Search

I wonder if the evidence of an earnest search for God is to know the security of His hand holding us up, even as we seem to be looking elsewhere. I wonder if our thirsts and longings might sometimes be satisfied before we even realize it. It’s a provocative question, isn’t it?—Am I already resting on the fulcrum of my earnest search? Am I already settled into “Oh, God, you are my God”?
What do you sense in your earnest search?

© Brenda Henry

Psalm 63:1-8 (NLT)
O God, you are my God;
    I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
    my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
    where there is no water.

I have seen you in your sanctuary
    and gazed upon your power and glory.
 
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
    how I praise you!
 
I will praise you as long as I live,
    lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
 
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
    I will praise you with songs of joy.
 
I lie awake thinking of you,
    meditating on you through the night.
 
Because you are my helper,
    I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
 
I cling to you;
    your strong right hand holds me securely.

For Prayer and Reflection:
Was there a word, phrase, or an image that captured your attention? What is its invitation to you?

Imagine yourself in one or more of the postures represented here (searching, thirsting, longing, gazing, praising, lying awake, singing, clinging, etc.). What is Jesus' posture towards you as you sit with him in that?

What satisfies you?

 

My Delight

Pause. Remember. Savor. Delight.

What might it be like to be the focus of someone's delight? Can you imagine being enjoyed simply for being you? no earning? no striving? no perfecting? Just being.

This text invites us to return our gaze upon the One who gazes upon us with all delight. Notice that gaze upon you afresh today.

Psalm 16 (NIV)

Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    apart from you I have no good thing.”
I say of the holy people who are in the land,
    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
    or take up their names on my lips.
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that shimmered as you listened? Bring it into your prayer with Jesus. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer.

Ask God, "How are you delighting in me right now? What do you see in me that brings you such joy?" Journal what you hear or see.

In your prayer, picture your boundary lines. Where is God? Have a conversation about your needs with God. Where and how are you noticing God’s provision and care for you?

Reflect on your day, asking the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind where you experienced the most joy. Where did you experience the least joy? Bring your reflections and ‘noticings’ into your prayer with God. Is there more that God wants to say to you through either or both experiences?

Letting Go

The rich young man who wanted to gain eternal life seemed surprised by Jesus' command that he sell all his possessions and give them to the poor. Like him, we too likely have that “one thing” left to release. If only we could simply follow the law, obey the commandments, and keep our “one thing” tucked close to our heart too. But then we see that love look in Jesus’ eyes, and we know we need to choose. They can’t both be our deepest love.
It may sometimes be that we are not aware of what we are holding onto, but, if we become honest with ourselves, we begin to realize that something is holding us back from deeper intimacy with Jesus. If we could simply return Jesus’ gaze, rather than try so hard to become godly, perhaps our grip on that “one thing” would loosen as He lifts us into His arms and into greater freedom.
One thing you can be sure of is that no matter what it is you struggle to let go of, God will never let go of you.

Mark 10:17-31 (The Message)
As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.” He said, “Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!”
Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.” The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.
Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.” That set the disciples back on their heels. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked. Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” Peter tried another angle: “We left everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.

For Reflection and Prayer:
1. Is there a word, a phrase, or an image that stands out to you? Stay with that and see what else Jesus may speak to you.

2.Take some time to name the “one thing/s left” that makes your heart feel heavy when you consider leaving it behind? Ponder this with Jesus for a while.

3. Are there any ways in which you feel you are vulnerable or tempted to try gain God’s kingdom on your own? If you are comfortable, ask Jesus some questions about this. Can you see how He is gazing at you? Listen to what He might have to say to you. 
Do you sense Jesus’ gaze upon you?  Do you notice what your hands hold closest to your heart? Are you ready to be free of the weight you carry?