Swimming Up-Side Down February 7, 2007

Some weeks we feel like we are swimming up-side down...and the cat has his head in our tank drinking all of our water!

This past week has been amazing. It appears that the flood gate of small insignificant trials has been opened. One small trial- not a huge deal at all. Many small trials- a tad bit frustrating.

Looking over the past and at life cycles in general- this usually occurs before a great victory- So today as I headed out to work land...I began to thank the Lord for the great victory that he is bringing to my life!!

Sunday Night's Service was as usual-incredible. Pastor Watts was talking about the our spiritual tents being expanded. He spoke on the lines, poles, stakes. That we are expanding our boarders- but the stakes remain the same. Our foundation remains firm!

Amazingly enough when I was at the alter the Lord really opened my mind's eye to my life. Let me preface this by saying If you know me at all you will realize that I am pretty much a private person. I can joke with the best of them about anything but don't indulge a lot about things going on in-me.

Well Sunday night it was as though I saw myself in HIS eyes...but the funny thing is ...I was not powerful at all I was pathetic! I was running around with this huge clunky amour on that I had put up to protect myself. It was like seeing David in Saul's amour. I was so tiny but looked so funny as I was running around in circles and not getting much done. I looked over to the right and saw the most peaceful place you can imagine. It was a gentle river that ran along-side a green grassy pasture. On the right there was a bench that HE was bidding me to sit next to him. To sit in the peaceful place I had to take off the entire clunky-ill fitting amour. I hesitated. I had the choice of sitting in that heavenly spot- or "protecting" myself with my amour. Piece by piece I laid it down at his feet. I felt scared, alone, intimidated, what if he did not like what he saw under all of this? I slowly sat. When I sat down next to him it was the most peaceful experience I have ever had. I did not want to leave that place. I was just being still in HIS presence.

The only reason that I am sharing this with you is this. We tend to feel that we have it together. We are running around trying to defend ourselves, trying to do the best we can, trying to protect ourselves from hurt, and our attempts are feeble at best. HE is our protection, our strength, our wisdom, our direction, our provider, our peace giver.

So today- Instead of swimming upside down- sit in that quiet spot next to him. All he wants is you. He wants you close to his side so that you can spend time, laugh together. What you will get after you lay it all down? A peace that truly does pass all understanding.

When you are with HIM- everything else seems insignificant.

There is a song that has been on my mind all week:

Refresh me oh Lord with living water
Refresh me oh Lord I pray
Cleanse and make me new
My heart belongs to you
Open up the fountain of your grace
Refresh me Lord I pray.

May you find your refreshing in HIM today- If you feel like you are seeing life up-side down- Get out of the pond and sit for a spell. HE is waiting on you!