Safe Place

Speak your Faithfulness to me. Come near, child, and be set free.

The Israelites were set free from captivity. They were promised a holy land that flows with milk and honey, a rich dwelling. A safe place. As they walked they became weary, doubtful, and impatient. They were so afraid of God that they wouldn't even talk to Him, but, instead, used Moses as a telephone. In his loving kindness, God provided everything they needed. The Israelites, in their frailty, forgot time and time again of His faithfulness to them in the wilderness. One slight of hand and they were down worshipping the golden calf once more.

I feel a lot like the Israelites today. Set free in my youth and daily from the things that threaten to steal my deep heart-Joy, but I face the darkness moment by moment whether or not I am aware of it. I am tired, so afraid of returning to my Father because I feel like I've stepped back and chosen my old-self. I asked for prayer from others - my Moses'. God has provided all I need & yet I have forgotten in a split moment - returning to my past. I hide behind my toboggan and black coffee so as to seem tough - to seem resilient. But toughness and resiliency is not what He asks of us.

We can't come close to Him like that. To come near means that we must lay it all down at his feet. We must give it up.

I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made. Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him. I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near, says the Lord, and I will heal him.        Isaiah 57:15-19 ESV

My friend, MC, always tells me: it's a process, Em. I'm starting to see what she means, though I fight it till the very end. The stones piled up in the dark spaces have begun to crumble the more I bring them into the light and let Jesus do something with them. It isn't a straight and narrow path. It won't be easy. Process means there will be failure and forgetfulness. But it also means that grace abounds much more in my weakness to provide a safe place to land.

Today, I want to choose the safe place of grace, and I want to offer the same to you. Come in and knock the snow off your boots. Hang your coat on the rack. Hear the footsteps of a savior who just desperately wants to be near you, and the roaring of a fire whose warmth is fueled by His ever-faithful love. Take off your toboggan and lay the stones at His feet. When the black coffee is all gone and you're left with only milk and honey.

The coming in and taking the layers off is a process that requires practice. I am learning the rhythm of it in this season to which you are always welcome to dance with me. It's easier to put up the walls, but it's better to enter into the safe place. It's easier to grit your teeth and keep walking, but it's better when you let grace make light of the heavy stones you carry.

So walk into the safe place of Jesus. Take your shoes off and stay a while.

Em