Brennan Manning: Ruthless Trust

 My beloved child, you belong to me and no one will ever tear you from my hand. Fan the flame of your confidence in me. I want you to live each day without anxiety ... to come back again and again to this feeling of unwavering trust until you are never without it. Like a little child who never bothers to ask his father, "where are you taking me?" but heads off with his hand securely slipped in his Dad's - so walk humbly with me - walk trustingly with your hand securely locked in mine. Should worry and anxiety overtake you, offer me with trust your distrust, and give me with peace, your lack of peace. That helps you and gives me immense pleasure. I repeat to you, "Define yourself radically as my beloved child - Do you hear my word? Define yourself radically as my beloved child - this is who you are and how I relate to you. Sh.....Be still.....Listen.....I am here - do not be afraid; Everything will be all right. Nothing can harm you permanently, no suffering is irrevocable, no loss is lasting - no defeat is more than transitory, no disappointment is conclusive. Let the cry ..."Abba, I belong to you" rise often, easily from your heart. Trust me, for I offer no false word and do not be afraid. Do not live in fear little flock, it gives me great pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

Warning Signs

Following God's footsteps in the wet sand sounds easy enough, but what about when the tide sweeps away the marks in the sand? Or the sand dries, leaving nothing but mound after mound of endless sand? Immediately, panic overtakes me. "What do I do?!," I cry out to God, "Where do I go? Why have you abandon me?" But my cries are swept away on the wind as giant waves crash around me. I feel lost, alone, and helpless. A child without a mother. An orphan.

Then, above the roar of the ocean, I hear His voice calling to me. "Look here," He yells. Sensing His direction, I look His way and notice a sign. A warning sign. He was there all along, I just wasn't looking.

"I keep praying that God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." - Ephesians 1:17-18

I think many times we find ourselves in this situation. We blame God for our failures and faults. We demand an explanation, "Why?! How could you let this happen?! Where were you?!" If only we could humble ourselves before God, so that he may lift us up in due time. Seek his face, so that we may understand what awesome plans he has for us.

Shells on the Beach

As I was walking along the beach earlier tonight, I was in complete awe of the wonderful God we have. All things from the powerful waves of the ocean to the gentle breeze in the air are reminders of how majestic our Lord and Creator is. My midn wandered from the mountains in the distance to the city lights that create a trail down to the beach, and then to thousands of colorful shells and shiny pieces of glass half-hidden by the sand. As I looked down to make sure I wasn't in danger of slicing my foot open on any concealed dangers, and to admire some of the more intricate shells I had been passing up on my walk, I realized I was walking in footprints that had been left in the semi-wet sand. It's almost as if somebody had made a clear path for me, but still wanted me to experience the beauty of the beach. Then it dawned on me, "This is what it's like to follow God's path!" He leads us along trails that can be dangerous and threatening, but if we don't stray from his footsteps he's sure to keep us under his wing; all the while, revealing his majestic plan for us. Sure, sometimes going to church every Sunday and reading your Bible every morning can get boring, but maybe it's because we're not opening our eyes! Maybe we're too focused on the destination to realize all the beautiful things going on around us! Or maybe we're just so worried about avoiding the jagged glass as we walk that we miss out on the fascinating things that God's path offers on the way.

I'm going to be using this blog to share some of the 'shells', and possibly 'glass', that God has put in my walk in order for me to grow closer to Him during my time here in Ensenada. Be sure to check out my other blog at: << holmes12.blogspot.com >> That one covers more of the intense lessons God is teaching me as I follow his path.