The Shadow of Your Wings

"In the midst of darkness, saints may not have strength to pursue [their] dreams.  But it may be, in the mercy of God, that as we wait for the light to go up, we can do poorly what we would love to do well."  John Piper, When the Darkness Will Not Lift

From this haven under the wondrous wing of God, as I "wait for the light to go up," I begin to feel like a child confined to the house because of nasty weather - nose pressed against the window, watching the rains pound against the pane, longing for the sun to return so I can go out and play.

When the LORD lifted His wing to offer me welcome and refuge from the storms that I was struggling to endure I gratefully crawled beneath it.  There He has given me shelter and helped me learn again to find joy and strength in His presence.  But now it seems that the skies are clearing and I can see the sun's light playing on the ground just beyond the edges of the shadow.  It is filled with the flutter of life and purpose and it beckons me to step into its warmth.

A gentle whisper stirs the air around me.  Could it be the voice of my Beloved speaking to my soul?  Little one, the storm has passed - step out into the light and spread your wings.

Unlike the child who, with such encouragement, would burst out with a great whoop of joy, I hold back.  Why?  Perhaps because I have no dream to pursue, no sense of what purpose might await me.  Yet, I have a growing awareness that I was never invited to "pitch tent" in this sweet shadow.  It is a place to rest for a season, not a lifetime. " ... in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by."  Ps 57:1

Many things I have learned to "do poorly" ~ what is it, I am left to wonder, I "would love to do well."

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.  You have made me strong, Lord.  Now I pray for courage to step out of the shadows.  In Christ.  With Christ - my Light.

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