Your face I will seek…

       This afternoon I was reading Ps. 27:8 where David spoke to the Lord and said, When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” NKJV  What a wonderful sentiment!  David is talking about personal contact with his Lord where they spent time getting to know one another.  The Lord said of David he was “a man after his own heart,” 1 Sam. 13:14  It sounds to me like they BOTH sought to know each other well.  That really speaks to my heart; can I say the same of me?

       Now, I can watch a movie or read a biography about your life but if I don’t spend quality AND quantity of time with you, then I really won’t know you thoroughly for that only happens over time and with trust.  For instance, my very best friend knows the worst secrets of my life (and she still loves me!  J) due to the length of time we have known each other, talked and been with each other. 

A relationship such as that is priceless.

       David had a relationship with his Lord and it is clearly seen throughout 2 Samuel and Psalms.  For David, seeking God’s face was a continual thing as he stated in 1Ch 16:11.  He knew he needed to spend time with God constantly, not just on the Sabbath and festival days, but on calm days and also troubled days.  David must have heard this scripture, “…you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deut. 4:29 NIV  (Notice the promise is IF they seek Him with ALL their heart and soul.)  What is the promise?  That the Lord our God, the Creator of all the universe, will be found!!!

Today, the Lord is saying to all of us, “Seek My face”.  What is your reply? 

Lord, hear this prayer (said by David in Ps. 27:4 but adjusted for us),

One thing we desire of You Lord, that will we seek after, that we may dwell in Your house all the days of our lives, to behold Your beauty and to enquire in Your temple.

Struggle Up the Mountain

       It was the summer of 2007 and I had just finished six months of chemotherapy treatments.  My husband and I as well as the kids were on vacation in the Canadian Rockies.  We stopped at Lake Louise and stood by the Hotel gazing across the icy blue water with the snow topped mountains in the background.  It is a breathtaking view in more ways than one.

       Our kids had never been to the back of the lake so we started along the path when we found a sign that mentioned a teahouse in the mountains 5.3 km back along the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail.  So, with what we had on us, one water bottle each and a few snacks, we headed out on a new venture.  It really was a beautiful walk, but as the elevation rose (365 m gain) Albert and I began to struggle.

       Many people passed us as we were walking slower, and some of them sensing our struggle tried to encourage us along the way.  Still, the rising elevation caused us to exert more effort than we could handle, but thinking we were halfway there we decided to press on to the teahouse where we would rest and get food and water. 

       Eventually many of those who passed us going up the mountain passed us again going down (most of them telling us it was just around the corner), and by this time I needed to rest every few meters.  Breathing had become a struggle and it felt like my feet were weighed down by cement.  The desire to quit was overwhelming, but we really didn’t have a choice but to go on.

       We made it to the teahouse that day, bought (very expensive) food and water, rested up and walked the 5.3 km back to the Hotel.  It certainly was much easier going down the mountain!  What should have been a four hour trip was a long day of effort to push beyond ourselves.  We saw a lot of great scenery, learned many important lessons, (observed and heard an actual avalanche!) and realized we were stronger than we thought. 

       I’ve been thinking about that day and the struggle we went through.  The last few weeks have been similar for me in that my body has been struggling to continue ‘moving forward’.  It wants to give in, to just stop, but I keep saying ‘no’ and moving forward, albeit slowly.  It is difficult to keep my eyes on the Lord but I know He is faithful and true*, and He will stick with me through this time**.  The Lord God is my strength (Hab. 3:19) and His grace will be sufficient for me for His strength will cause me to endure.  (2 Cor. 12:9)

Lord, I trust in You.

*Heb. 12:2- Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…

Rev. 19:11- And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,

**Heb. 13:5- … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  KJV

Of These Things I Am Certain

       Some people long to go back to their childhood or teenage years, but not me.  While I wouldn’t mind my body being young, energetic and healthy again, I definitely don’t ever want to be in the same head space I was in back then.   My teenage years were filled with self doubt, confusion, uncertainty about who I was, my purpose, where I belonged, and doubt as to whether or not anyone loved me.

       All that changed for me the year I turned sixteen.  Determined to find genuine love, I got involved in the Catholic Charismatic movement, and for the first time in my life (despite weekly church services since birth) I heard the real gospel message- that Jesus Christ loved me, died on the cross for my sins, that He wanted me to believe, repent and give my life to Him.  It was incredible to find out the God of all creation wanted a relationship with me!

       Twenty eight years later and there are some things of which I am certain.  I know them beyond knowing.  They are so entrenched in my being, that there is no lingering doubt.  Hence the reason I would never wish to return to my youth…

     -God is real.

     -Only God could create this universe in all its complexities.

     -God the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit love me.

     -Jesus will return one day and I will be with forever with my Lord

       Because of these truths I am no longer filled with self doubt, confusion, and uncertainty about who I am; I understand my purpose on this earth, I know where I belong, and I know I am loved.  What proof of these truths do I offer?  I offer myself as evidence.  The very fact that I now live, breathe and move is proof, for I would not be alive today if it weren’t for Him.