I’m sharing a word and painting from my friend, Danielle, with her permission. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.
‘Dive into the depths of my heart‘ – I actually woke up saying this one morning. For months following I asked God ‘How?’ ‘How do I do that?’ And one day, overwhelmed by the question I just started to paint this dive painting, and when I finished, He answered me:
It all comes down to one decision when you’re standing on the end of the dock. It’s not about what every motion and every moment of the dive will look like. It’s just that one decision. To dive. To lunge into the unknown. And once you do, then it’s impossible to look back, to turn around, to stop. He also spoke about the water in my wake (the bubbles) behind me, like chaos erupting from the dive. For me this was people’s opinions and voices responding to what looked reckless to them – this life of abandonment to God. He said “It’s important to remember it’s behind you“. I also saw how it was a decision I made alone. No one can make you do this, and no one can stop you when you do. The decision is yours. And lastly, ‘you can’t breathe under water — so it’s entirely about trust‘ Trusting He’ll keep you and sustain you in the impossible. I also saw in the painting that it was darker the deeper I dove, and how I hadn’t expected this. I expected I would find the most light in this place, but instead I pondered how it could be I was actually heading toward dark depths. “He makes darkness his secret place”. Immediately He spoke to me “My word is a lamp unto your feet” and I knew this meant I would have to live only by every word He spoke in this place. And finally, He reminded me that He will give you treasures out of darkness. That there are treasures hidden in that unknown place, and the only way to find them, is to dive there. Continue reading
is is a day I have created. You are My child I also created and purposed to be in this day. I have plans for you to walk out; your surrendered heart and yielded spirit is what I have waited for. Take My hand, trust in me and let me lead. It will be an exciting journey, your senses will be opened as never before, your eyes will see fresh and new things, you will see old things in new ways. You will understand what escaped you before. Yield to my presence as you begin this day, then it shall be a day as no other, there is no hum-drum life in My presence, it is vibrant, exciting, full of life and possibilities. Come, enter in, and enjoy.
This is a day I have created. You are My child I also created and purposed to be in this day. I have plans for you to walk out; your surrendered heart and yielded spirit is what I have
My ears are open and attentive to the prayers of My children, not one of them escapes me. I desire to hear what is on your heart. I also hear your praises and worship they ascend to My throne room, how precious they are to Me. I take delight in my children, just as a good earthly father takes delight as he watches his children, so do I.
There are times in life that seem to make no sense at all, where we can’t figure out what God is up to; the good news is we don’t have to. The Holy Spirit knows and he will guide us, helping us navigate uncharted waters. He knows every sandbar, coral reef and drop off, along with the currents and tides; as we follow Him he will safely see us through. Let the breath of heaven fill our sails as we lose the moorings, cast off the binding ropes, letting go of the known for the unknown, leaving the safety of the harbor for the open water adventures in life. We can rest secure with the Lord at the helm. We don’t need to follow the stars when the Creator of them is with us. He who chartered the waters setting our course is trustworthy and faithful. Storms may rise and waves crash getting us a little wet but, we can rest confidently with our faith in the Father to see us through.
an we be so certain God’s plans for us are good? We are bombarded at every turn with bad news: super-storms, flooding, severe drought, earthquakes, shootings, bombings, global economic crises, greater government control, diminishing religious freedoms, terrorism, and the list continues. With all the chaos and upheavals in life, when it seems everything is going wrong and with our dwindling faith for any change, one may doubt how God’s plans are to prosper us, where the future and hope is.
Beyond the Silver Coin 