So today I had the privilege of spending some time with my younger sister on her awe-inspiring running trails. They're not your typical wooded-trails, but they're her 'running sanctuary', and to any runner, you understand the level of sacredness in "your running places".
We ran mid-day, so I missed the beauty of her sunset tradition, but there was beauty if you looked for it. Pretty blooming wildflowers scattered the wood lines, deer, coon and coyote tracks scattered the gravel and dirt roads.
As we ran, talked and laughed, we happened on a little something that captured my attention, and I had to snap a picture.
Isaiah 43:16-21
The Message (MSG)
This is what God says,
the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
they lie down and then can’t get up;
they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
—the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
the people I made especially for myself,
a people custom-made to praise me.
All too often, we get so hung up on what we've neglected, fallen short on, or completely messed up. God's word reminds us that He keeps no record of repented wrongs. Why do we, as human beings, think we are so much higher than God in the right that we refuse to forgive ourselves and forget?
Here, in the right now, God is turning the page of our story. He's looking at the blank canvas and the one thing He desires most to hear is - "Go ahead Lord, be it unto thy handmaiden, according to thy will."
Today, my heart cry is--
"Write my story, Father, how YOU see fit. Come alive in me, birth in my spirit what YOU would have manifest in my life. Let the fruit spring up, let your refreshing waters cool the parched soil of my soul. Let my soul and my very being magnify you. Keep my heart pure, and let your rivers flow out of me like a well spring of life. Let those around me see Christ in me, the absolute and only hope of glory! Let my life be a testament of your love, mercy and grace. Let all that I am, and all that I ever will be glorify you! It is in YOU that I live and have my being! I am fearfully and wonderfully made, wrought by the same hands that created this universe and all it's infinite wonder and beauty. Let my soul rejoice within me and sing praises to you always! Let my words and deeds bring you honor, and my thoughts exalt you above all. Let my mind stayed on You, and let me walk in peace and sweet communion throughout my day! Let my Soul be strengthened by Your Spirit, and my Will fall subject to You. Continue to mold me, make me, shape me as You would have me be, and let my life now and always bring you Glory and be a witness to those around me. I give you all praise, all glory, and all honor for all that you have done, and will do -- in your matchless, precious and eternal name, Jesus."
He's sitting, pen-in-hand, poised, awaiting your word. Will you let him write what He wills? ❤️
pw
