Dwelling in Structure…
I began this month looking for structure in my Christian life; seeking a way to build up my faith; wondering how a struggling Christian can hold on firmly to God. I am ending the month in wondering if the only way to hold on to God, is to let go of all else….
Dwelling on God’s Promises
1. Perfect…
Promises are special. They should not be made on a whim. They should be made with the intention of being kept. Promises indicate that we matter deeply to someone and when fulfilled, promises can nurture our relationships, bringing joy and trust.
However, we have all been victims of broken promises, and know that they can wound & hurt & disappoint, leaving us cynical and untrusting. We are capable of keeping promises but our experience can be that human promises can disappoint. For me, I have found that it is only God who always keeps promises and that there is a surety and hope to be found in them and in Him …
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145: 13 & 14
Nature that Nurtures; Dwelling in the Goodness of the Land
When I am weary or distressed, it is the green goodness of the land that can restore my soul.
Dwelling in the land; trekking determinedly or sauntering slowly, lingering in and among natures beauty; tending the earth, caring for plants and sowing seeds sloughs away the shadows in my soul. The deep parts of me are soothed, calmed, nurtured; lulled into a leafy peace.
How is it then that I often evade this healing, delaying my restoration as I convince myself that I am too busy to take time to stop, to meander; to dwell in the goodness of the land?
Inspiration
I recently visited Amsterdam, with its beautiful tall thin buildings, ornately gabled and quirkily crammed together beside criss-crossed canals. I was fascinated by these lean buildings, sandwiched together, exhibiting beautiful long windows, archways and balconies. I have discovered that this was due to the policy of taxing buildings by their width when space was at its premium in the city as Amsterdam prospered from merchant trading in the 1600’s.
A haze of unknowing…
I entered this month with relief, knowing that few work commitments and less travel meant that I would have more time to think, reflect and choose what I do. I quite expected to have efficiently sorted out many things that have been left unattended for a long time, had space and clarity of mind to make decisions that I have put off for too long and stitched with vigour and inspiration. Wrong again!
Instead, I have struggled through a fog of frustration and weariness that has sapped my energy to work and dulled my thinking. I have procrastinated and pondered in a haze of unknowing, unable to make simple decisions or possess the motivation to simply get on with things.
Back to basics…