Under His Wings

I'm sitting outside on my back porch.  The sun is shining and I hear only the sound of crickets, birds chirping, and frogs croaking.  A springtime breeze brings a small chill to the air.

You wouldn't know it by looking outside now, but moments ago, a severe thunderstorm line came through.  There were strong winds.  During the storm, I watched two birds by our bird feeder, courageous little things who braved the storm.  After a bit, one decided to rest under a nearby tree.  A million things crossed my mind at that moment, of things yet to do, of the laundry still in my hands, as a I simply stood at my window and watched two birds, both un-wavered by the storm.  I stood for what seemed like forever, just watching the birds.

It reminded me of peace.  Yes, in the middle of a literal storm, I was reminded me of peace.  I could see the birds' feathers being shaken by the wind, yet they were undeterred, as if they, too, were at peace.

The book of Psalm is probably my all-time favorite book in the Bible.  To me, it is a beautiful book of written prayers, often written by one who had failed God (yet knew how to pray!).  That same image that I witnessed in the birds of the storm, God used in Psalm 91.

God promises us that we will dwell with the One most high, that we will abide under His shadow (v. 1), just as the bird did under the branches of the tree.

God will be our refuge and our fortress (v. 2) and will deliver us from the fowler and from illness (v.3).  God will cover us with His feathers and we shall be under His wing (v.4).

What a beautiful metaphor of the unfailing peace and protection of God Almighty.  (Side note worthy of sharing: my study bible says that when God refers to Himself as Almighty, as He does is Psalm 91, He is saying that He is our "nurturer and protector"!)

Psalm 91:9 tells us that we are to make God our "habitation", which implies our protected place!

Wow!  The same God who created all the World didn't create our habitat.  He is where we reside, where we are protected, and where we are loved.  Just as we are. Through Christ Jesus.

So, as the old song says, "when the storms of life are raging", stand by Him.  Run to Him.  Allow Him to provide you with that protected place.

Masterpiece

It's been a while since I've posted.  The fact is...the more I read from others (devotions, books, blogs), the more I think, "Girl, you have nothing more to say."

Yet, God is moving me.  My "word" for 2017 has been "move"...which has caused my husband and I to move churches and move forward in ministry, thus founding our ministry, Sixfold Ministries.

Lately, I've received lots of encouragement and compliments.  But, yet, I think, "Who am I?".  Who am I that God would chose to use me in the way that He does?  Who am I that He would leave the wonders of Heaven, be made human, and die for my sin.

Y'all (yes I say y'all!), sin is an ugly thing.  I'm reading a book where the author speaks of her salvation and deliverance from drugs, addictions, and suicidal thoughts.  She speaks of how she saw sin for the first time as sin; yet, in that same moment, saw God for all the glory and holiness that He is.

Again I think....who am I?  I don't have an amazing testimony like that.  I was and always have been a goody-goody and naive person.  I still am in a multitude of ways.  Yet, who am I that He would still die for me and take on my sin.

Here's the thing.  I was a sinner, a sinner saved by His amazing grace.   When I question who I am, I am questioning God and all that He is and has done.  I was created in His image and every time I question who I am or feel uncomfortable receiving a compliment because I feel unworthy, I can feel God's presence.  He speaks to my heart and says, "I've got this, girl".  Because He made this girl.

Christian artist Mandisa says it like this, "He's still working on me. I'm unfinished."

God is indeed an artist.  He created the world and all that is in it.  He created you and I.  As a mature Christian, I've always assumed that creation was finished in Genesis.  But, God is still molding me and making me into His Masterpiece.  And, as a child of God, you too are an unfinished masterpiece!

Isn't that amazing? As I sit at the kitchen table and reflect on this thought, I am completely overwhelmed.  God made us in His image....to show His artistry and for His glory.  So, I'll put on the full armor of God and take what He gives me, step by step.  I'll accept the correction and guidance of His paintbrush, stroke by stroke.  I'm a masterpiece.

You, too, are a masterpiece, completely and utterly unique.  You are designed for great things, to show off the glory of the Creator, the glory of the Masterpiece Artist.