{right now I’m lifting off from Atlanta after a 6 hour layover. We’ll be in Costa Rica by 9 pm}
If you were to describe your relationship with the Lord in distance, how close would you be sitting next to him in church?
Think about it…
Where do you see yourself sitting today, this minute.
Got a good idea of how far/close He would be to you?
{Be honest with yourself…
I can’t hear your answer. }
Let’s face it, today I haven’t sat down with Him at all- so I can see the back of His head in the front row. Me? I’m chillin’ in the back.
Tuesday nights at Mission of Hope Haiti are church nights.
We finished worship and I sat down during the transition time to the sermon.
Praying with my eyes closed, I felt something brush my leg.
I open one eye and see a little boy with a hoody over his head that’s slipped right under my left arm.
We make eye contact and we both smile
{I think ‘now that’s sweet’}
How cute, kids just love me!
Then the Lord lays the hammer on my heart.
Ready?
Why am I sitting in the back row trying to prove myself to Him when all He wants is for me to sit by Him and enjoy His love?
James 4:8a Come near to me, and I’ll come near to you.
The Lord wants me to see Him, get up, and make the trip towards His pew. He’s begging us to crawl under seats and people and find the quickest route to rest under His arm. {fathers do this the best, am I right?}
Just when I smile and agree with the Lord that He’s right, the boy asks for a pen.
I hand him a pen and answer him when he asks for my name.
He starts to write my name in the palm of his hand.
The Lord says ‘are you writing my name on yourself to show who you belong to?’
Boom.
James 4:8a Come near to me, and I’ll come near to you.
We are His child. I was died for on the cross, but am I walking with that stamp on my heart & soul daily?
{my new friend’s name was Ronaldo, and now I had a love note in my lap}
Just when I was thinking ‘ok I got it, I got it’ I was reminded of one more thing.
Ronaldo started to doze off, and simply laid his shoulders and head on my lap.
Ronaldo chose to find rest in my lap and sleep.
James 4:8a Come near to me and I’ll come near to you.
Am I resting in the Lords goodness and mercy? Am I resting in His grace that has covered my regrets and burdens? Am I choosing to rest in the unknown future I enter into everyday? Am I resting in Him… No matter the cost?
Are you hearing me?
It starts with us.
Gods not going anywhere, I’m the one that’s taking a hike in the opposite direction.
WHY?
Because I’ve allowed human love {and poor examples I might add} dictate my perception of the Lords love for me.
{see ya in counseling?}
I want to be a daughter that sees my Savior and doesn’t believe Satan when he tells me I don’t deserve to sit next to him today.
{RUN TO HIM}
I don’t want to be a daughter that forgets to write my Fathers name on my heart and that I am His!
{WRITE HIS NAME ON YOUR HEART}
I don’t want to be a daughter that is too afraid to place my burdens, doubts, and regrets in His lap, and forget to rest in His grace.
{LAY IN HIS LAP AND REST}
Don’t be me today.
Join me in memorizing and declaring James 4:8a over your relationship with the Lord.
Wherever you are sitting in your church auditorium, get up and run to Him.
Come near.
Race Ya’,
Anna
