Rest
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.0 aperture, 1/60 shutter, 400 ISO
I was struck by this image I took of my friend Kelly’s house the other night. In fact, I have not been able to get it out of my head. In my mind, I have run to this over and over again, as I have struggled to keep up with my life. This image reminds me of the peace and safety I inwardly crave. I am exhausted, inside and out.
I could blame this project, or the season, or any number of the things. The truth is, I am the problem. I forget. I forget to abide by the lines that protect me, that hold me together. I string together the doing and striving until I am undone, frayed at the edges and beyond. I do not understand my own behavior. I am driven from within. For what? I don’t even really know. In Ann Voskamp’s blog today she wrote right out loud some things that have been milling around in my head for weeks now. It is this question that I hear everywhere I go right now. You probably know it well. “Are you ready for Christmas?”
No. No I am not. I am not talking about decorations or gifts, or parties or plans. I am not ready in my own heart. Not in this harried, frazzled state. How can I make room for the One whom was given no room at his birth, if I don’t have the space, the margin? I have not allowed myself to breath in the very life I need, the life that is in the name that sounds like breathing. Yahweh. Yahweh.
Slowing down now. This moment. With this simple image. So that the King of Glory may come in.
Zechariah 9:12~ “Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope!”
Psalm 24:9 ~”Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.”
5 Comments
this is a vision of serenity.
yes, i so understand — my breath prayer of late began with the understanding of Him saying to me: I AM WHO I AM (Yahweh), you are who I made you to be.
He the I AM has made me – He wants to use the me that HE HAS MADE.
With all my being I am holding on to the truth that I am who He made me to be – and He is gently removing what the world and my own flesh have placed upon me.
I want Him to continue making me. So my breath prayer:
Yahweh – continue.
Basically my breath prayer is giving Him permission to do what He wants to do – sanctify!
Cool Image . . . Great thoughts.
Self-Awareness is beautiful and the beginning of healing.
I read your blog every day and I think you are pretty cool.
Would you go out with me?
Yes, Yes, yes. Thanks for articulating that!
Seriously, I think that cmo dude is stalking you! “slow down” and go out with him! 😉
The truth is that we all strive for that peace and contentment that only God can give. Somehow we get in the way of God doing His wonderful work in us. Your words express it well. Help us Lord to be ‘ready’ for Christmas, to receive all that YOU have for us.