Thursday 29 January 2015

Plumbing the depths


Just a few simple words. Nothing more, nothing less.

Sometimes, that's all it takes to make or mar a day. A drop here and there.

When words rise to our pool of consciousness and hover a while close to the surface, it is well worth asking God if these are ones He wants us to pay particular attention to.

Although God mainly speaks through Scripture, He also invites us gently to notice our lives, heed the world's sounds, and hear Him in the everyday, e.g via books, blogs, poetry, music, films and the spoken word.

These had a life of their own, shimmering with vibrancy like ripples in a pond spreading wide to touch others.

My breath caught as they reached to my core. Here were words to confirm the 'word' I'd received for 2015 and set me thinking soul-deep.

They came from a new book, 'Centering Prayers:A One Year Daily Companion for Going Deeper into the Love of God' by Peter Traben Haas.

These words (underlined) were part of a contemplation:"I begin the year with the simplicity of silence. Resting in you, I become myself again" which were simple but profound, with echoes of eternity in them.

As I pondered their significance, I reflected how my early life experience had already revealed the world to be a place where I invariably felt lost, drowning under the weight of expectations and pressures, splintered and fractured, fragile and out of sync.

To have a chance of becoming and feeling whole (and safe) again, I needed to connect to God. And I feel so blessed He called me to faith as a late teenager so I could spend all my adult life getting to know Him. 

Because, not only do we find God the Father in relationship with Jesus, we also find our true selves.

Become more fully human and fully alive than ever before.



Become more truly who God created us to be, beautiful in Him.

Function more freely with the flexibility of grace.

Fulfil God's greater plans and purposes for our lives as we co-labour with Him.

Discover our full potential.

Embrace our new identity In Christ.

Waken to our worth as God's beloved child.

See ourselves, via eyes of faith, as already healed, restored, beloved and forgiven.

Rest in the knowledge of being united with The One who knows us inside out and loves us just the same ~ even as He's transforming us from the inside out.

In some inexplicable way we grow to become more like Jesus as we learn to live and abide in Him on a daily basis.

Yet, amazingly, we also become more of ourselves, more true to the essence of God's intended blueprint for us.

All this from one line or two, just a few words? Yes, indeed. Words have power to change a life.

And I wouldn't mind guessing that I have only touched on a small fraction of what it means to "become myself again" as I rest in Him. 

Many words have been inspiring my soul lately as God has been speaking to me, and I'm sitting with them for a while before sharing, letting them rest in me and do their work.

Because I have all year (a lifetime?) to plumb the depths, to mine for treasure and discover the riches of resting in God.

And you, dear reader, can learn along with me as we share the journey of faith together.


Linking here with BonnieJennifer and friends

Over to you:

What words have greatly impacted your life recently?
How hard do you find it to see yourself as God sees you?

Please feel free to join in with the comments below. I really appreciate your input. Your words matter. Thank you.

8 comments:

  1. Wow. This post hit home with me. Thanks so much for your insight.

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    1. Hi Dawn. Thank you for stopping by to read and leave a comment! I'm so glad you were blessed by your visit here. You are very welcome to return. Bless you. :)

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  2. Thank you Joy for this wonderful post of the reality of the treasures of His word. Being whole in Him. Being safe in Him. Being loved by Him. I read this whilst travelling on a bus. Having many trials physically. So comforting.

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    1. Liana, I am really sorry to hear you are going through many physical trials. I know how it feels and you have my deepest sympathy. These things can weigh heavy in our hearts. We need the light of God's word to bring hope and healing. May you continue to be comforted as you rest yourself in Him. Blessings and love. :) x

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  3. Joining with you, Joy, in the simplicity of silence, resting in Jesus and embracing our identity in Him! Thank you for this beautiful post.

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    1. Trudy, I am eternally grateful for your company on this journey of life and faith. Thank you for joining me. May you find heart's ease, peace and deep soul healing as you rest in God's word, His promises and His goodness and grace for every circumstance. Blessings and love. :) x

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  4. Hi Joy! I think taking the time to let God's word rest with you is so key to peace and insight. As it says in the Scripture "do not be a hearer only". Listening is only the beginning.
    I think you will be richly rewarded for your time mulling over the significance of what God wants to say to you. And you will be blessed with inspiration to continue your good work in him. What a journey you will have!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. Hi Ceil! Thank you so much for your kind encouragement and insights shared here. We do indeed learn more when we mull over the significance of what God wants to say to us. It takes root in mind and heart and begins to bear the fruit He intends it to yield. I pray you too will continue to be blessed with deep insight and inspiration as God gifts you with words to share. Blessing to you. :) x

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