Safe is not what it looks like,
it’s an illusion
and
a trap.
A hand that appears to draw you forward,
while surreptitiously pushing you back.
It may not seem in your nature
to engage in risk,
to take bold chances,
but no one hits home runs from the dugout,
you’ve got to swing for the fences.
Wait,
when you’re tired and you just want it over.
Wait,
when the words will be harsh.
Wait,
when your mind screams how unfair it is,
and you want a re-counting or re-slicing or
re-whatever.
It’s not about
whether
someone
has it
worse,
better,
or even the same.
This is between
God and you
whether you ever
get the sun or the rain.
Well done good and faithful servant
are the words you’re waiting to hear,
and then you won’t remember the pain.
This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20
Life’s too short
to save it
for the fourth.
Don’t wait till July
to let your rockets fly.
Declare independence
from the rut you’re in
and stake your claim,
the time to begin…
is now.
Once in your life
you have to stake your claim
take stock
of the junk
that is holding you down.
God doesn’t doesn’t bring anyone
into this world
without a purpose
so ask Him,
expect an answer,
He won’t let you down.
Life’s full of little bumps in the road
but perspective paves the way
and the shocks seem less shocking
as you learn to catch them.
Remember when you were learning to catch
and you learned to meet the ball.
Instead of throwing your hand out there,
you met it in space. In the same way, big challenges,
and the little ones that feel big,
can be met in a fluid motion
and held
or tossed away.
Don’t get me wrong,
the bad hop will occur,
but everyone has to deal with those.
Handling bad hops is just one of those
expected unexpected things.
Hone your dignity and grace,
but don’t over-worry about saving face.
Someone needs to see you be human
and use wisdom to rely on God to finish
the game.
There’s no night so dark
His name can’t illuminate,
no depression so deep
He can’t lift it.
No heart so weary
and grown tired of beating
He can’t recharge
like the sun coming up.
The meaningless
find new meaning.
Those wondering why
find new hope.
Those finding themselves
short of the summit
suddenly spy
a new length of rope.
He’ll breath into you compassion
when maybe you thought
you didn’t care.
He’ll be the force
lifting your wings
with angels into ebullient air.
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain
and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and
all their glory; and he said to Him, “All these
things I will give to You, if You fall down and
worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go Satan!
For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord
your God, and serve him only'” Then the devil left
Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister
to Him. Matthew 4:8-11
Lord, I pray that we have the strength, and steadfastness
of faith to honor you as your Son did on that difficult
day. There are many days when we don’t. But sometimes we
rise to the occasion. On those days, we feel your pleasure,
and sometimes, we are ministered to by angels.
Do you love what you do?
Do you do what you love?
Do you find inspiration,
motivation,
fulfillment?
Remember that though you need to
“get paid,” your needs go beyond
just paying the rent.
If your sparks don’t fly
from just getting by,
induce some magic
and escape the tragic
by creating in time
and finding your why
and why not.
What the child loved
and the adult
forgot.
This is not defeat,
it’s a bridge,
over the raging river
in which you might have drowned.
This is not defeat,
it’s a landslide,
which fell to create a pass
where none existed through the mountains.
This is not defeat,
this is an earthquake,
a jagged arrow pointing the way
toward solid ground.
Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart. Genesis 50:19-21 The Message
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
God you did not promise this life would be easy,
but you promise strength
in the midst of the storm.
No matter how ugly the news we hear,
in a cold world you are there
for life sustaining warmth.
The false comfort and ease of a life
ignoring your truth
can push our craft toward an inevitable cliff,
but if we believe and act upon
the message of salvation
You will make of our detritus and debris
a lighthouse and life saving ship.
the inheritance of
the joy of the Lord
is of the forever kind
a true joy and gift
not earned by effort
or indeed birthright
freely given
though dearly bought
by the King
above all kings
the One who causes
my countenance to glow
and my heart to sing
Write here, Joel. 