The similarities astound me.
Our mountain ridges glisten with a coat of ice. Brittle branches that venture away from the sturdy trunk creak and crack with the wind. Foliage bends under the crushing weight.
And yet, arresting beauty is before me.
Glowing ice casings enclose the smallest of twigs. Like cut-glass, the ice reflects the light breaking through the clouds. Prisms of rainbow color proclaim the glory of the Lord...in the storm. In the destruction. Beneath the crushing weight.
I'm learning my spirit is like the fragile branch robed in ice. My spirit is sealed - enclosed - in the Holy Spirit. Kept. Secure. Like delicate cut-glass reflecting a prism of rainbow colors, the harsh, raw emotions transform in His Presence. His beauty abounds. His purposes are made known.
I am at peace.
"It's God's breath that forms the ice,
it's God's breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.
And yes, it's God who fills clouds with rainwater
and hurls lightning from them every which way.
He puts them through their paces - first this way, then that -
commands them to do what He says all over the world.
Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love,
He makes sure they make their mark."
~ Job 37:10-13
The ice storm rode on the breath of God, under His guidance.
The breath of God sustains my life. His Spirit enfolds me, calms me and, like the ice storm, His Spirit brings beauty from destruction. Like cut-glass prisms, my life, too, will proclaim glory to the Lord.
And, you know what? Your's will too. There in your ice-laden wilderness, God is waiting for you.
Father, I pray for my friend. I ask that You embrace them with Your love in very personal, tangible ways. Open their eyes to see You in their suffering. Fill them with hope. Pour out Your grace on them so that it's so deep they must swim in it. Use this difficult time for Your glory, for Your eternal purposes. Enlighten the eyes of their hearts to know and understand the depths of Your love. Thank You Lord. Thank You for Your peace, Your mercy, and Your Presence. You are mighty, God. We love You.
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Hi Nan! I never thought of the Holy Spirit encasing me like ice, but it sure makes sense. I'll be looking at ice storms in a whole new way! As long as I am surrounded by the Spirit, I'll be protected, even in sorrow.
ReplyDeleteRight now, my husband has been on the phone with an insurance company for two hours. So incredibly irritating. We are losing all unemployment benefits this month. Insurance is a real issue for us now. So I know all about the wilderness today, that's for sure. I appreciate your prayers!
Blessings,
Ceil
Sweet Ceil, I'm holding you close to my heart. This is the place we've been since this past July. We are learning a new "normal". It feels very uncomfortable at first, frightening because we have literally lost all sense of control. We are in the arms of Jesus and we have had to completely surrender to HIS control. We are learning to find peace there. Rest. Even contentment, at times ;-) It's a work in progress, but we are learning about the Lord's eternal purposes in all things. You will learn these, too. These are lessons the world can't take away - not ever. And they are more precious than gold. May I pray for you?
DeleteFather, YOU are the constant in our ever-changing world. You are faithful and true, merciful and kind. You never fail Your children - never. Even when the world screams, "Where is Your God?", You, Lord give us a gentle squeeze of the hand to remind us You are there. Thank You, Lord. I bring my sister and her husband before Your throne of grace. I ask that You touch them both by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Open their eyes to see You working on their behalf. Remind them of who they are - children of the Most High God, children who will never be abandoned nor forsaken. I ask that You strengthen them and fill them with hope. I ask that You put a hedge of protection around their marriage that there would be no destruction there. Let no weapon formed against them prosper. Fill them both with the peace that passes all understanding and give each of them an extra measure of grace and compassion - insight to understand how each is feeling in this horrible situation. Lord, You are El Roi, the God who sees and knows all about it. You are Jehovah Jireh, our provider. You are the One True God worthy of all our praise. We offer You our praise as a sacrifice and ask that it would be holy and acceptable to You. You are the gracious King, our Father God. We love You, Lord. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.
Hugs to you my friend. I'm here if you need me...nan@jubilantlight.com