Some of you may have figured out that last week I took a little trip. This wasn’t a normal vacation (holiday) trip that someone usually takes. I wasn’t planning to visit attractions and do a bunch of shopping. I just wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I didn’t want to think about feeding animals and cleaning the house and making meals and all the other things that go with running a household. I just wanted to relax and spend time in God’s word. I wanted to allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life without the distractions that normally pull me in so many directions. I wanted to be peaceful. I wanted to be quiet. I wanted to listen. I wanted to learn. I wanted to hear. I wanted to see. – I think you get the picture.
Whether it was COVID-19 or just life in general, I was feeling out of sorts. I was short-tempered. I needed to regain my focus. So that is what I set out to do. I left on Thursday afternoon and travelled 840+ miles all over the state of Michigan. It was an adventure to say the least. I went without a solid plan. I went without a specific direction in mind. I went without having any hotels booked…
wait, what? – You read that correctly…no hotels booked. But that’s OK – it all worked out just perfectly.
Along my journey, I learned some things about myself. I worked through some struggles and I came to some conclusions – but more about that another time. For now, I will tell you this. I have returned with a renewed vision and focus. I have returned ready to dig into the word and share my faith. One of the ways I like to share is through this blog. I came back determined to pick up where I left off and that is Psalm 27.
Isn’t it interesting how we can pick up the word of God and it speaks directly to our situation? Verses out of this chapter were jumping off the page for me. Let’s take a look:
The Lord is my revelation – light to guide me along the way, he’s the source of my salvation to defend me every day. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run from you, Lord; surround me and protect me. …Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else; I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer…Lord, when you said to me, “Seek my face,” my inner being responded, ‘I’m seeking your face with all my heart.” Psalm 27:1, 4, and 8
That is what my journey was all about. It was about SEEKING HIS FACE WITH ALL MY HEART! Did you catch some of the nuggets in that scripture passage?
CRAVE – SEEK – PRIVILEGE – FILLED WITH AWE – DELIGHT
These are some strong action words that David used. These aren’t the words of someone sitting on the sidelines. These are the words of someone committed – someone sold out – someone determined. That is who I long to be. This morning at church we sang the song ‘Show me Your Glory’. The words just tie in beautifully with the essence of this Psalm.
David then sums up the Psalm with this short statement:
Here’s what I have learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting – for he will never disappoint you! Psalm 27:14
So to you I also say – keep on keeping on! The Lord is on your side and even though you may not be able to see the end of your trial (test) and even though you may not know the next step you should be taking, God is already there and he is waiting for you. Be brave – be courageous – don’t lose hope. Seek his face with every ounce of your being.
Are you reading this and saying – what is she talking about? What does this even mean? Let me know – reach out to me. I would love to spend some time showing you what it means to follow the Lord. Be blessed my friends.