Keep Me Abiding

Jeremy Riddle...

May your voice be louder and
May your voice be clearer
Than all the others, than all the others
And may your face be dearer
And may your words be sweeter
Than all the others, than all the others in my life

Please keep my eyes fixed on you
Please root my heart so deep in you
Keep me abiding, keep me abiding
Keep me abiding that I may yield fruit

And may your presence be truer
And may your presence be nearer
Than all the others, than all the others
And may your light shine brighter
And may your love move deeper
Than all the others, than all the others in my life

Please keep my eyes fixed on you
Please root my heart so deep in you
Keep me abiding, yes, keep me abiding
Keep me abiding that I may yield fruit

Please keep my eyes fixed on you
Please move my heart so deep in you
Keep me asking, keep me asking
Keep me abiding that I, oh that I may yield fruit
Keep me close to you, oh, right next to your heart
Right next to your heart, close to you.

Intimacy...Into Me See

Up front, I will claim to have barely scratched the surface on this topic, however, God is asking me for more. It is a fact that the closer I walk with the Lord, several things happen. First and foremost, my sin is exposed to me, and I get a clear look at what God thinks about it. An overwhelming up-chuck reflex comes over me. A period of confession, repentance, and restoration comes next. This is not the fun part. In fact, this is ugly, distasteful, and really tough. It reminds me of the 24 hour stomach bug that stopped me in my tracks a few weeks ago. Yuck.

Inevitably, freedom follows. This is a deep, fresh breath. A sigh of relief. I can now see and appreciate God's goodness once more. And yes, God is sooo good. He fills me with joy, delight, and clarity. To be true to myself, this is the best part. It's my favorite. It is at this point I understand my journey of Christianity is not about me or how I feel. It is the truth that He wants to bless me, encourage me, speak to me, and see me delight in Him. It's like an ice cold glass of water to quench my thirst, or perhaps a Coca Cola Classic. Delicious.

Next comes the expectations that God has of me. To walk continually in His presence, and continue to find my delight in Him. It is at this time when I feel closest to my husband, my daughter, and my other family and friends. This is the life. Everything is clicking now. I'm following His lead, doing His work, and for His glory. If only to stay pure in thought, word, and deed so as not to repeat the cycle.

Indisputably, the cycle is indeed repeated. However, I continue to learn, and thirst for more. Therefore, my relationship deepens with Him. Therefore, I choose not to strive for a blameless life, but rather one that is honest, diligent, and righteous.

Good reading...
Lamentations 3:19-24