Waves

Two weeks ago I shared that my “Come away with Me” place was the ocean. In the busyness of September, I hope that you have been able to find your own come away place and that you have been able to find the solitude and intimacy with the Father that you need. If you have not yet found your place or scheduled rest time, you do not need me to remind you to do so. Your soul is already aching, gasping for the anecdote to settle your weary and burdened mind. 

Respond to your soul. Your spirit is reaching out for an experience with the Holy Spirit. Your soul needs the sustenance that our good God provides. Take pause from controlling the circumstance and, instead, pursue the Controller. 

I recently found myself at my “Come Away” place on an escapade with Jesus. A conversation ensued as I petitioned, lamented, and listened. Afterall, that’s what these places are for. They provide space to deny the outside world an audience and equip us to sit as an audience of one before the One. 

As you sit though, may I encourage you to sit long enough to experience the hardest part of the “Come Away” method. The listening part. The part where we fully quiet ourselves and lean into the whisper of the Savior. 

In the New Testament, Jesus took three of his friends, Peter, James, and John, away for some solitude up on a mountain. It is here where these friends were witness to the audible voice of God the Father, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5). 

It is so matter-of-fact, incredibly direct, and the only time in the New Testament where the audible voice of God gave a directive to the people. “Listen to him!” A directive that proved life-changing to the original hearers and is still as critical to the hearers today: Listen to Jesus. When we do so, the profound replaces the mundane, miracles replace monotony, and calm replaces chaos. Storms and strongholds break, my friend, when we spend time with and listen to Jesus. 

Sometimes, in the listening, we are consumed by a wave of grace and abundantly aware of His still, small voice. That was the case for me recently and I wanted to share with you the whispers delivered in the waves of the ocean as I retreated with Jesus in my “Come Away” place. May this be a blessing to you, as it was to me. May it intrigue you to listen and hear your own God-delivered whisper. 

Waves. 

Consistent rhythm of power
Coupled with persistent grace. 
The ebb and the flow
The up and the down
The rise and the fall
The in and the out. 
A symphony of strength and beauty. 
Gentle swirls and wild swells
Landing, crashing, performing. 

Waves have no thought, no control,
Only pure obedience and follow-through. 
The rhythmic heartbeat of nature
Recognizing the sovereignty of the Creator.
Singing swells of praise,
Consistent, persistent, constant - 

The love of the Father. 
He controls the ever-moving ocean
Yet wants my love, my song, my praise. 

May I rise up in the morning
And fall at Your feet in awe. 
May I bring You honor in my 
Coming in and going out. 
May I ebb and flow to the waves
Of Your Spirit
And not the floods of my flesh. 
May my obedience crash consistently
In repetition -
Not in monotonous behavior - 
But in persistent power that beats
To the rhythm of Your heartbeat. 

As You whisper to me here,
May I be like the waves. 
Help my life be a symphony of 
Strength and beauty. 
A constant spring of living water. 
A well of praise 
An ocean of love and dedication. 

My friends, show up at your “Come away” place and listen to the waves of His whispers. Jesus wants to dwell with you and shower you with His living water. 

Until next time my friend.