I look forward to Thursdays when I can publish thoughts on my spiritual journey and hear the thoughts of others on a weekly theme topic. It has become a space for an encouraging and fortifying community to come together. We welcome anyone who would like to join us!
"...but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31
This week's topic, STRENGTH, came out of a trying week. Some things happened, albeit small, that discouraged me. At a particularly negative moment, a song lyric started running through my head, and I stopped to recognize it as God whispering to me. It was from the song,Wasteland, by Needtobreathe: If God is on my side, who can be against me? Well, of course! I know my life, thoughts, and actions aren't always aligned with the Word of God. I know I fall short. Daily. But I know He was trying to tell me to lean against Him. He's stronger than all those things that were getting me down.
At church, our pastor has been preaching on the book of Habbakuk. What a powerful little book it is! The book consists of a conversation between the prophet and God. Habbakuk argues and complains at what He sees as God's failure to act. God answers him, and the result is Habbakuk's profound proclamation of faith and submission. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce to no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." - Habakkuk 3:19
We are all like Habakkuk, aren't we? We tend to get caught up in problems, big and small, and we start complaining or getting angry. God answers those complaints and tells us to be patient - He's got this!! Even in the smallest things, He knows we need that message. This week ended in a wonderful afternoon of inspiration when I got to see Donalyn Miller at a local school. I could refocus on what is important in the classroom, and it was fun to see so many of my colleagues come and hear the same message. God heard me. He knew I needed that little pick-me-up. He does these little things to assuage my little problems. I know He does big things to assuage big problems. Nothing is too small or too big for Him. Thank you, God!
Holly, once again thank you for the topic that was indeed a very timely one for me. If we are to get to the top of the mountain we must maneuver the treacherous climb.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to see it! And it can, indeed, be treacherous.
DeleteI love this link up. And when you give the topic out early, it gives me focus for reflection. When I sit down to write, the pen is primed by that incubation time. I enjoy the intimacy of our small group.
ReplyDeleteI envy your visit with Donalyn Miller. I am determined to meet her at NCTE.
I hope you get to meet Donalyn! She's funny, genuine, and inspirational. I, too, love our little group. I look forward to it each week. Thank you for being a part of it!
DeleteI love the image of the deer climbing to new heights and how Habakkuk learned that God would see him through any challenge. Great message as I go into my weekend. ;)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a wonderful image?! Thank you so much for linking up and adding your thoughts this week!
DeleteHolly, perfect timing! I got caught up in problems as well. I am so grateful that God is so much bigger than we are. Somehow He always figures a way for us climb up again!
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