It's the craziest thing. Lately, I seem to be in this weird season where I keep falling. I'm not just talking about spiritual falls...I literally fall down all the time now. Yesterday, I took a pretty bad one. I fell far and hard...I hit my head and everything. I'll be ok. There was no blood and minimal bruising, but it made me think about how quickly everything can change...how vulnerable and fragile human beings are.
I was speaking to my mentor about it because I'm flustered and overwhelmed with this new vulnerability in my life. She reminded me of a couple of things though.
She said that each day we walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- whether it be a physical fall or a spiritual failure -- AND God is with us. God's presence in our lives does not mean we won't experience darkness. It means that He is the light to our darkness.
She also said that leaning into a walk with the Spirit of Jesus through God's Word and in our world is the absolute only way we will ever be able to appreciate the valleys God allows each day.
This morning as I rise with a heavy heart and a super sore body, I opened up a book I've been excited about exploring called "Praying the Names of Jesus" by Ann Spangler and Immanuel is the first name. It's one we know but I think we skip over it. We are familiar with it but I think we may not commune with Jesus as "God with us."
I sat here and required myself to think about Him and answer these questions...to believe He is holding me close to Him. He is asking me to open my eyes to His presence, trusting that He is always doing the will of the Father.
He is always giving us an invitation to join Him according to His time and plan...which is never too much or too little. He portions out everything we need to partake in His divine nature and will (2 Peter 2). He is asking us to believe that no matter the vulnerable valley we are walking through He is with us.
I'm praying for all of us to slow down and fellowship with Him as Immanuel today...to fall face first into His presence!!
“Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord.
You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it. Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon, even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night” — even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you.”
Psalms 139:1-12 CSB
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