After a long week in Atlanta, I lingered in my hotel bed this morning drinking coffee and eating chocolate. The breakfast of champions. I picked up a devotional book—or rather, I clicked on the icon and it opened on my iPad—and I read the timeless words of Oswald Chambers. Now, just a couple hours later, I can’t tell you the topic of today’s devotional, but I do recall the feeling stirring within me as I read the Scripture passage at the top of the page: I was home. Wrapped in a blanket. Safe. At rest in the embrace of the One who loves me most.
It’s noon and I’m still in that same hotel bed. Still in my jammies. And still resting in the embrace of love.
But the morning didn’t begin that way…
I woke before dawn with a niggling sense of guilt. Gnawing guilt. Accusatory and condemning. And for a few moments, I listened to the accusations. You’re so busy doing God’s work that you don’t have time for Him. Who do you think you are? How can you expect Him to bless your endeavors?
Then I rolled over, snuggled beneath the covers, and…went back to sleep.
Phooey with those lies.
A busy week? Yes. Time with God? Yes. But not in the ways I’m accustomed to. I didn’t open my Bible or devotional books. I didn’t intercede with lengthy monologues (okay, I rarely do that anyway). Nor did I attend church. Instead, I saw the reflection of Christ in those who’ve committed their lives to serving Him. I engaged in conversations with those who love Him—with those who’ve surrendered to Him. I’ve depended on Him in moments of fear and fatigue and frailty. I’ve laughed. I’ve listened. I’ve given and received love. His love.
What accusations is the liar hissing to your soul?
Are you listening?
Don’t bother.
There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Ginny,
I so look forward to every blog because somehow that always seem to speak right to my current situation, be it spiritual, physical, emotional or all. My pastor gave me that same verse last week, as well as my mother. Can I say the Holy Spirit is nudging me gently? The Liar has been telling me similar things lately. “You don’t share your faith enough, you don’t help the poor enough, etc etc.” I’ve really been feeding into it, thinking I wasn’t good enough and really getting terribly disheartened over the condemning thoughts. But like you in the ways of spending time with God, I think i’m starting to realize that there are so many ways of loving and sharing faith that don’t always equate to one specific way. Can I ask your opinion on something? How do you interpret John 3:19-20?