THROUGH THE SLIME OF THE SOUL
I have come to realize that often the gate that swings open onto my path is held by hinges of a different make. In essence, the issue that hurls one into a moment of awareness is not necessarily what he is being required to focus on. I have lived for three weeks now under a canopy of ‘what feels like’ a big dose of discouragement. I know there is much to glean and see because now is the moment of enlightenment. Although such moments are uncomfortable, we must be alert to see and hear what God is saying.
As I moved through the first week of this particular journey, I heard the Lord say “come up higher”.
I found myself stumbling through dark illusions, more scrambled than I’ve encountered in some time. The sensation of hostility and distrust arose tall in my soul. I know that one must be careful when passing through this section of his path because of temptations to run or deny truth.
Suddenly, fear consumed me. I saw scraps of trash, bone, and desolation strewn about like debris after a storm. Darkness prevailed and as I continued to walk, I felt the sting of bitterness brush against my cheek. The jolt of its presence caused me to stagger through the quicksand of failure, wounding my foot on a pebble of self-pity. I wiped bloody feet on a patch of condemnation and discontentment and, despite the intense pain, moved on.
The grief and anguish I felt as I peered back at the state of my soul was piercing, and I looked to the hills, thinking surely it is enough. But when the wind carried His whisper back to me, it was not.
“Beloved, I have made all things new,” He said. “New days. New mercies. New opportunities. New adventures. And a new you. However, this valley is the only path through which you must reach the other side. I know you want to turn back, but I Am calling you to hold your course. I Am here. I won’t leave you, but you must make this journey.”
I believe that in order to reach the new higher place in the spirit where God is beckoning us to come, we must do an inventory and repent of things we have closeted in our soulish nature. Time out for thinking we have all the time in the world to straighten up and fly right. With His help we must shake off discouragement. Open the wounds of our soul to the balm of Gilead. Let go of old trash. Forgive those who have wounded us along the way. Think on those things that are of God. Taste and see that they are good. And then rise to the occasion of true worship.
I ache to be with Him in all things -- for my heart to beat in the same rhythm as His. I want to see what He is showing me; say what He is saying and do what He is doing. It is indeed time for Heaven to Invade the earth. Since the Kingdom of Heaven is within us, should not we be the vessels thorough whom it flows.
Our Father God is a merciful, loving and faithful God. But He is also holy. We must choose to be holy and go forth doing good as the Spirit leads us.
•Phil 2:13 – for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
•2 Cor. 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
•Rev 21:5 - Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
•2 Cor. 2:14 – Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
•I Peter 1:16 - because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
•John 8:38 - I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.”
•John 12:49-50 - For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
