He Restores

Oh my soul,

Do you remember how it felt when you first believed?  How all the doubt fell away and all the fears were gone and all you wanted to do was praise and sing and laugh because of the beauty of it?

Do you remember that first year when the demons fled and how the hate and bitterness slowly softened and fell?  And how you knew you were never going back? Never going back again?

Do you remember?

Do you remember how every turn that the road brought you, was just a new perspective of the Beauty?  And how every new fork in the road led to greener pastures and broader streams?

Do. you. remember?                                                                 

And do you remember that every time, every single time your heart was broken, and all that you loved was taken away, He restored? 

He always restored.

Don’t you remember that?

He always restores.

How could you forget that?  It has happened the same every single time.

Whenever you were crushed and broken and lonely and sad, you were always lifted up. You were always taken higher than you’d ever been before.

Oh, weak and weary soul, don’t you remember?

Yes, I can see that you remember.

But you do not believe.

Oh, you of little faith.

Lift up your eyes and look! See that the Lord is good! And all His mercies are new every morning.

You must believe that He is good!

Well, then, if you cannot believe the truth, we will have to tear away the lies so you can see.

This is not the end of the road.  It is only a new beginning.

You are not alone.  Christ is in you and through you and all around you in those you love and serve.  He is here.

Despair is not from God.  He gives joy and strength and hope.  You must remember the hope!

Nothing on the earth will fulfill you. That deep, unquenchable hole in your heart can only be filled by a God who is endless.

Do you believe that?

And following Christ is not a life of endless misery, although it may look that way from the outside.  It is a life of Joy! And Freedom! And Life!

Abundant Life!

Awe yes, there we have found the lie.

You believed that this path was meant to break your heart and make you suffer to the point of death.  But you were wrong.

It is only this path that will lead you to fullness and wholeness and being made well.

This crucifixion path is not the endless, miserable trek of a slave.

It is an aisle of crimson to walk with joy, knowing that your groom is waiting at the end.

Oh, my soul! Do you see! This is life you are living!

There is no time for tears and sorrow.  No time to look back.  Lift up your eyes and see Him smiling there. 

He is waiting for you.

The time is now.  The wedding has been prepared.

So run, my soul! Run to Him and forget all that is behind!

Nothing is more beautiful that He who waits there at the end.

Oh, my soul. Believe and be made whole.