It is so easy for my heart to become languid and for passion to lay dormant in my soul. Sometimes it is of great benefit just to go outside, to clear my head of all the distractions of daily life and get alone with God. Today is one of those days. I seem to have let "doing things for God" become a burden instead of a joy. Even so, when I finally quiet my heart - He is there. He calls me to come and taste the delights of knowing Him.
I have always loved this quote from Jim Elliot's journal:
I want my heart to know that same overjoyed bliss in knowing my Savior on earth."I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious. To stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coat-tails and the heavens hailing your heart - to gaze and glory and to give oneself again to God, what more could a man ask? Oh the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth. I care not if I ever raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him. Mayhap in mercy He shall give me a host of children that I may lead through the vast star fields, to explore His delicacies, whose finger-ends set them to burning. But if not, if only I may see Him, tough His garments, and smile into my Lover's eyes - ah, then, not stars, nor children shall matter - only Himself." (Jim Elliot)
Today, I know I just need to push pause on all that I need to get done and just rest in Him, worship Him, seek Him and remember...
I am small...
My life is brief...
He is eternal...
Knowing Him is beyond comparison...
"When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,what is man that You are mindful of him,and the son of man that You care for him?"(Psalm 8:3)
The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), and I can see it, hear it if only I take a moment to marvel and the magnificence of my God. Life is too short not to live it running passionately after Jesus. Like Paul, Jim Elloit and countless others, my goal is to know Him...but sometimes I lose focus.
Throughout my life I have found that spending a little time out in nature and in prayer helps to rejuvenate my soul and refocus my heart to seek after knowing more of God. What has worked for you?
22 comments:
Such beautiful, calming photos :) And I've been there...sometimes realizing that my scripture study and prayers were me just going through the motions. But when I take the time to get away from distractions and soak up His creations out in nature, it's helped me put things back in perspective. And I love when you wrote, "When i finally quiet my heart - He is there. He calls me to come and taste the delights of knowing Him." beautifully said Jennifer :)
Ahhh...*sigh*...I know exactly how you feel. When I go out into the woods behind out house, or down to our pond by myself just to reflect on the day it's like God is so much closer! It's so much easier to feel his presence when you are on your own in the natural world HE made and created!
btw, I saw on Sydney's blog that you haven't seen Tangled yet...AHH *scream*...MUST. SEE. TANGLED. NOW! lol! but seriously though, it's a great movie, you'd love it! When you do see it be sure to comment and tell me what you think :)
Amazing and inspiring post, Blair.
I loved that Jim Elliot quote, and all the scripture.
This is a place I often find myself, with these desires.
Thank you for sharing your heart :)
beautiful beautiful post. I too love that quote from Elliot. Thanks for brightening my day!
love elliot. time to listen in prayer is what does it for me, and hearing other people's stories of how jesus has saved them and how God is working in their lives. that's what works for me!
Reading scripture, spending time in prayer, listening to worship songs, and just sitting in God's presence calms me down and gives me great peace.
thanks for the lovely post!
So true. I love being outside, away from technology just to soak up God's Word, and be still. Balm to a parched soul. Love your images, they are beautiful.
I found if I sit with Him first thing in the morning. Read His word, pray and give Him the morning it rejuvenates my soul. But even if I read yet skip praying it's amazing how my attitude for the day becomes.
Just this morning I was praying to stop focusing on the negative of a task I'm doing but to find the positives instead. It's been putting me in the worst mood. As G-man said just this morning, disgruntled. Perfect word to describe it.
Such a pretty place. I can definitely see how you could feel God all around you and just relax in him there.
oh so beautiful. i find God so often in nature. all day today, i've been looking out my window, just aching for 5:00 to reach me so i can drive with the windows down all the way home, change into my work clothes, and work in the yard all evening. there's nothing like touching God's bounty to truly feel His presence!
Oh YES. I just want to be so madly in love with Him that He would be my focus as much as I am His. I love what a friend once said to me: "I was obsessed with God like I'd get obsessed with a girl. He was all I could think about." And I want that to ring true in my life and remain true!
That is so beautiful Sydney! I love what your friend said! I want that to ring true in me as well!
Pretty sure your blog is my new obsession. So happy to find Christian girls out there!
YOU ARE ABSOLUELY STUNNING!!!!
very inspiring :) loved the pictures too!
I love all your photography! You are just darling!! :)
Awesome post! I especially love the picture of your journal, the grass, and a flower tucked right in the pages. I often long for a space like that to take my journal and spend time with God :)
I completely understand what you're talking about! I'm just leaving a period of my life where I was allowing myself to get really far from God. I find that that happens to me when I'm really not in His word, or I'm not REALLY in it even while I'm reading. It's hard - life is so filled with "stuff!" I've been having some great quiet time with God while I do an online Bible study through Lifeway, and it has been going really well! God has been really speaking to me about who He created me to be, and it's scary and awesome :)
Lovely beautiful post! My personal favourite place to spend time with God is on the beach, but only when it's winter. The more desolate and overcast, the better :) Thank you for sharing your quiet place.
Just came across your blog and it is amazingly inspiring!!
Def. following!
Feel free to check mine out: http://imperfectobsession.blogspot.com/
I absolutely love those last two lines of Psalm 8:3. And I definitely agree--prayer is what allows us to refocus our minsets on Him. Re-learning how to fervently give of myself in prayer is the season that I've been in right now!
http://www.kingdomsofagape.com
I think you will like this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KqziOKZ4AE
Wow. This tugs and speaks to my spirit. I so need this...a runaway time spent with HIM! Hmmm. Thanks for sharing this. <3
Post a Comment