Refugee Status - Part II: With Me
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast." —Psalm 139:1-10
Some days I feel like a refugee. I feel small and forgotten in an angry world. I feel far from home; nomadic in my spirit. When I find myself in these dry places, I reflect on the mystery of Emmanuel.
What does it mean for me — for you — that God came in the form of a baby, lived in our reality, suffered, died and was resurrected? What does it mean for us that God sent His Holy Spirit to guide us, to empower us, and to lead us into all truth? To me, it means that I, no matter how much I may think so, am not forgotten. It means that I am known, and loved. It means that I am never alone. I cannot run beyond the reach of His arm.
This is the joy of the Gospel. We are not alone. Some days I feel like a refugee, I feel small in a big world. But I am convinced that on those days, I need to readjust my focus. I find that Psalm 139 is an excellent reminder of God's constant presence our lives. He is never shocked or surprised by the things that occur in our lives. In fact, we find ourselves much more even keeled when we take the time to orient ourselves toward God each day.
Homework this week: Pray Psalm 139 each morning this week as a way to remind yourself of God's constant presence with you. Throughout your day, when you are caught in traffic, or dealing with a difficult circumstance, remind yourself that God is aware of it. He is acquainted with all of your ways. See if that simple prayer makes a difference in your day.
Some days I feel like a refugee. I feel small and forgotten in an angry world. I feel far from home; nomadic in my spirit. When I find myself in these dry places, I reflect on the mystery of Emmanuel.
What does it mean for me — for you — that God came in the form of a baby, lived in our reality, suffered, died and was resurrected? What does it mean for us that God sent His Holy Spirit to guide us, to empower us, and to lead us into all truth? To me, it means that I, no matter how much I may think so, am not forgotten. It means that I am known, and loved. It means that I am never alone. I cannot run beyond the reach of His arm.
This is the joy of the Gospel. We are not alone. Some days I feel like a refugee, I feel small in a big world. But I am convinced that on those days, I need to readjust my focus. I find that Psalm 139 is an excellent reminder of God's constant presence our lives. He is never shocked or surprised by the things that occur in our lives. In fact, we find ourselves much more even keeled when we take the time to orient ourselves toward God each day.
Homework this week: Pray Psalm 139 each morning this week as a way to remind yourself of God's constant presence with you. Throughout your day, when you are caught in traffic, or dealing with a difficult circumstance, remind yourself that God is aware of it. He is acquainted with all of your ways. See if that simple prayer makes a difference in your day.