The View from My Place – “Praise for His Constancy”

I often say to the Lord, “I am flinging open all the doors and windows of my mind, my emotions, my spirit and my body to You, to enjoy the richest fellowship with You possible.”  Yesterday I really enjoyed mental fellowship with the Lord.  I was surprised by how what I normally would have considered mental distractions or accusations from the evil one became the Lord’s means to touch my heart.

As I pondered decisions I’ve made over the course of my life, I came to the conclusion that I have more in common with Paul’s statement about being “the least of all saints” (Ephesians 3:8) than I previously realized.  Not just “the least” in terms of spirituality, but also how I was often regarded by others along the way.  The painful truth of the matter is much of the scorn and rejection I experienced was deserved.  I made many boneheaded mistakes. I have been unloving.  I have been selfish.  I was hardheaded.

My thankfulness today comes from freshly realizing despite my shortcomings, the Lord never gave up on me.  Though others did, He never wrote me off as a loser.  Never!  Instead, He sustained me over the course of my entire journey.  No matter what I had gotten myself into, He always warmly and affectionately welcomed me into His throne room and showed me mercy and grace.  He continued to reassure me of His love until I “got it.”  Until I became convinced that He is more concerned about how I am doing than what I am doing.  That He is more concerned about the condition of my heart than the mere conformity of my actions.  That He cares more about my person more than my “production.”  That He wants to help me “grow there” and is not just pointing His finger demanding that I “Go there!”

I am thankful today that I can testify with a hearty “Amen!” to the words of this famous truth:
“Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for (hope in) the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary” (Isaiah 40:30-31).