Lately I have had a heavy heart and it has been hard to find beams of light. The circumstances are personal and it is not necessary to share them, but like people who journey through struggles, I know that the "personal nature" is also a common one for many others, so I write today for you.
I have always found God in nature much easier than in other places. So from the deck of Eagles Wings in the dawning morning light on most days, I read from a wonderful, small devotional book by Sarah Young called Jesus Calling, and also from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey. Henri Nouwen is my very favorite devotional writer - he was a Jesuit missionary, pastor and lecturer on the faculty of Harvard and Yale Divinity Schools. If you have not read any of his writings, DO SO! I was catching up from the last 3 days, so today as I read the writing for January 8th it seemed remarkable. They both had the same message.
From Jesus Calling: Softly I announce my presence. Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. The weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. Let your weakness be a door to My Presence. Whenever you feel inadequate, remember that I am your ever-present Help. Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, the My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness.
His message was enhanced with my reading from Henri Nouwen: Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, "How will next year be for me? Where will I be five or ten years from now?" There are no answers to these questions. Mostly we have just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or the following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let's rejoice in the little light we carry and not ask for the great beam that would take all shadows away.
So although the light eventually filled my space this morning, it needs to spread yet further. I cannot tell you how important it is for me and for you to find a still, quiet beginning to your day and "be still and know that I am God", where He can encourage you in some way. For me, my epiphany moments are always on the "deck" at Eagles Wings. It is our special place - God's and mine - and although my heavy heart and circumstances are still there, I feel some of the burden and load lifted. It is good to be reminded that my God knows all and walks with me, carrying much of the load. I know that this message is going to bless others of my dear friends who are struggling now (you know who you are), and I really only share this so that we also know that we are not alone in our journeys. I pray for you and ask your prayers for me, and through our prayers I know the Lord will bless us.