Saturday, November 10, 2007

"The eternal God is thy refuge." — Deuteronomy 33:27

The word refuge may be translated "mansion," or "abiding- place," which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fullness and sweetness in the metaphor, for dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest cottage, or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. It is at home that we feel safe: we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. So when we are with our God we "fear no evil." He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home, we take our rest; it is there we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when, wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease.

This is an excerpt from a devotional that I read today and it really spoke to my heart. I have been so busy lately that I truly need to dwell in the security and safety of my Lord and Savior. This really describes what I have felt all year long when I am home at His feet. When I am spending time with my Lord I have His peace and comfort that surrounds me and gives me rest from the toil of the world. He is so good.

Tom left for CA on October 29th, for the house goodbye, and returned on November 8th and then went to the Freedom’s men’s retreat on Friday, November 9th (yesterday). I am thankful that today I have a moment to catch my breath and catch up with my emails and journaling. I have been busier than I really care to be and it is a good thing Tom was gone all this time because I wasn’t home to be with him anyway! I am so ready to be done with my job but it has been very cool that I can talk to people about what I will be doing. They seem genuinely interested and happy for me. It is great that I can speak about my Lord and my calling in the work place.

I ordered 9 used copies of “Letters from a Skeptic” to give out to the people at work that God directs me to as a going away gift. I plan on writing a note of encouragement and a prayer for each person. I am excited to be able to do this and I pray that the Lord will use this to open their hearts for Him, in Jesus name!

On another note; I have been pondering the call that I feel God is laying on Tom and I. I have this picture in my head of the seashore or lake shore with all the fisherman and people doing their jobs and Jesus walking down the shore, calling out to each one of them, “come follow me!” Before, I pictured Jesus calling out to “specific” people, selecting them from the rest, but now, I see him calling out to everyone!! And only his disciples answered that call… As for Tom and I, I think God is calling many people to step out in faith and asking them to leave their jobs (or gods) to follow Him in a deeper and more passionate way and maybe Tom and I are among the few who are taking this step?? I don’t know but somehow I feel the Holy Spirit is on the move in a very mighty and powerful way (that is the only way I have been able to do this!), to sweep this area and bring His word, power and healing to those who need it. Wow. I am very humbled.