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Curiosity, is what Brene Brown suggests: just remain curious about what you are feeling and experiencing. Look at it and ask "why"?
Awareness and awakeness are the words I have been using for the last few years. Lord, make me more awake and aware. Larry Crabb calls it the "red-dot-moment". (That shopping mall map that tells you with a red-dot: "You are here")
Where am I, Lord?
I know that Scripture assures us of our inheritance in Christ. We have been given a great gift because of His sacrifice. A gift of the now and the "not-yet", to be sure: but, a gift to open today and enjoy. He has given me a living inheritance: He has given me His peace and His love to remain in and within which we can abide. I have a home, a place to sit and I can rest. A pathway to walk that is peace, joy, hope and security. This is the inheritance that is mine. And, yours. Ours in Jesus: our true home. I can always live there. It is 'on offer' to me always.
I am struck by the deliverance of Israel in Exodus 14 and then the song sung to God in Exodus 15--- God's heart for His people: His good plan--- unfailing love and strength can be our dwelling, His holiness. (Exodus 15:13)
"You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance—This plan was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Because of Him, we have a place to live. You and I are planted; rooted and established in love. I have a secure, paid-for-place to live every moment of every day--- an inheritance of peace and love.
the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established." Exodus 15:17
But, I forget... I wander. I stray away from my home. I get up from this restful place and I step off the path of His love. I get off kilter in the brush and bramble beside the road. Like my brothers and sisters the Israelites of old, dark "pursuers" ride toward me; from within and without. Horse and rider yell out at me or whisper from within "be afraid... be very afraid". Lies. All lies. This also can happen any day. Moment by moment.
When I remain curious, by His help, I am becoming more keenly aware of when I am off the path and out-of-step with His Spirit. This morning was one of those moments. Becoming aware is such a huge, beautiful key!
I became aware... hours after wandering... and simply stopped and asked the Lord for help. Holy Spirit, help me. I know where I am. Now, how did I get here?
I sat, prayed, quieted my heart and listened. He brought to mind one small thing---then another--- It was one small flash-point in my morning. A simple, quiet, niggling--certainly not earth shattering---reality in my body (my health) that triggered worry. Ah! more awakeness... more awareness. Thank you, Lord. This small moment had clearly brought up bigger, older fears. Old patterns of coping--- worry, wondering what-might-happen-if, calculating. It had started with the one instance... then next a piece of news in email (now further off the path!) and then the memory. Ah! Like a quiet cascade... the journey to wander at that point was in full swing.
Okay, I had wandered off the path. Now, I knew when I left my home of peace.
Thank you, Lord. Now, would You bring me back. Bring me back inside, Lord.
He says... Open Your hands and surrender to My love and speak Truth to Your soul!
I choose to surrender to Your unfailing love. I accept "what is" and choose to stop thinking about "what might be". I offer my body to You--- You are my good Shepherd, my kind Father... my Creator. You made my body---so I give it to You to care for! I am yours. I don't have to worry. I don't ever have to fear. You have a place of love for me to rest in---to live in. I resist the lies in the name of Jesus. I stand firm, by Your blood, against the worry and fear. Even when I am in pain... even when my body is wacky... Your Love, Truth and Light are secure. I receive it! I let go of fixing this, figuring it out, or worrying about it. I open my hands and receive Your love and this place of peace. I choose to sit down in it and rest.
I sat down in peace and walked on. My body's reality hasn't changed, the news on email was still hard--- but where I am walking is different. Stand firm, be still, AND move on (walk forward)--- this is what God tells His people in Exodus (Ex 14:13-18). What a paradox! Stand firm. Walk onward. Trust and obey.
Out of the brambles.... back on the road. A few hours away--- I now welcome and delight in the gift of peace. For now, by His grace, I abide in His love. Lord, make me more awake and aware! More of You Jesus in me.
"I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider have been hurled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my deliverer. He is my salvation. ...The Lord is a warrior" (Exodus 15)