On walking this week, we took a different turn and found a new path. It was a case of trusting that we sort of knew where it would come out, but we couldn't be sure. Trust then; we can't always be sure the outcome will end well. But for me there is a certainty that with God it will be the best for us if only we would wait and trust in Him...
https://youtu.be/S6-UneKFn2I Behute Mich, Gott (Protect me God, I trust you, you show me the way to life, with you is joy, joy in abundance.)
...which led me on to another Taize chant, the Lord is my light which has it's centre within Psalm 27 and amongst the Psalm is the invitation for Celtic Morning Prayers.
Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
https://youtu.be/dCRnouCxPrU Wait for the Lord
It is quite a psalm.
The word ending of trust and rest are the same. Trust for me is waiting with faith; my perception of that is all will be well in the way God intends it for us. With that in mind and honestly and simplistically, I try and will trust and wait. Trust is just as hard as rest for most of us. We are creatures that are on the move, it is hardwired into us to keep moving, to keep on travelling out and away from danger into safety. God is waiting for us to catch up and He waits for us at the end of our journey welcoming us with open arms. Just as the father waited for the Prodigal.
Rembrandt van Rijn, The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1661–1669. 262 cm × 205 cm. Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
BUNT, GARY
Come To Me And I’ll Give You Rest, Portland Gallery
There is something in hands that provide trust and rest. At the moment we can’t received that blessing of a hand placed on us, the reassurance of grace that “it’s ok; words can’t help right now but human touch, the action say’s it all". We miss the hug of love and friendship and the blessing on our head to reassure that all will be well. Henri Nouwen writes well about the hands of the father in the Prodical Son, the one hand of the father being the male, aged loving, kind wise, faithful, patient father and the other being the gentle, nurturing touch of the mother. (A Story of Homecoming, Nouwen, chapter 8, page 98-99). God in all aspects of good and graceful parenting, the acceptance and the welcoming to home. In Gary Blunt’s image above we see the depiction of Jesus holding us in comfort, and passion, being with us in the moment we come to him just as we are. We are invited to trust and rest in the only way we can, in the way God has made and called us, just come…
https://youtu.be/y6Yo_5KRQtI - Drawn to you
https://youtu.be/VWDnYqJegGU - Willie Nelson
https://youtu.be/-IaNHvQIZC0 Dona la pace (Give peace Lord, to those who trust in you.)
Peace be with you friends, I look forward to virtually meeting with you tomorrow morning at 9am.
Caroline <>< :)
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