I am reading through "Mended" by Angie Smith for the second time, this time with a group from (in)courage. I think I mentioned this a few days ago in a post.
As I was reading the introduction, I noticed that Angie encouraged her readers to write a word, a prayer or a thought on a post-it note or in her journal for each chapter. Journaling is a huge part of my life but for some reason the post-it note idea stayed with me so that is what I am doing.
Yesterday I was reading page 17 where she talks about how Jesus could have come down from the cross. He could have spoken a word to make it all stop. But he didn't. He stayed. My first thought was filtered through how I have felt the past few months.
"You could have stopped all this, but you didn't. You stayed. You didn't use your power. "
As I read the sentence again, something shifted.
"But Jesus stayed."
He stayed on the cross.
Then I heard Him whisper in my heart.
" I'm not going anywhere."
The words pierced through my sense of discouragement, abandonment and questions.
"I'm not going anywhere."
He is here. He is.
And He's staying.
Paula, this gives me goose bumps.....It's one thing to know something in our head but when He whispers in our heart that's an entirely different matter......
ReplyDeleteI must read this book....
That's a beautiful revelation.
ReplyDelete"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Sometimes, it's hard to remember that it's about His will, not ours.
Such a beautiful book and such a powerful reflection you've provided. I look forward to journeying through the book with you.
ReplyDelete