Encouragement is the biggest reason I write.  I need the boost as much as anyone, maybe more.  Sometimes experiences are so painful…so discouraging…that it becomes difficult for me to see beyond them.  So, I look for God’s daily encouragement in the Bible, and then I write it down.  This every day seeking, finding and recording has kept me moving in this mysterious journey called life.

What can feel like wandering is only that we cannot see into the future.  The path we travel may seem dark and scary because of our physical limits of living in only one moment at a time.  But the limitations are part of our faith-based human design…meaning we are not meant to see into the future but must rely on God in our now and in our later.

Isn’t that encouraging?!!

GOD’S INTENT

God intentionally created us with boundaries that are meant to strengthen our faith in Him rather than fortify our independence.  It isn’t a flaw, it was intent!  We believe there is a problem with us because we cannot dodge the devil’s presence, avoiding pain and suffering, but that pesky demon is here and we need help.  The Garden story paints a place where mankind were okay with their design and walked daily in the presence of the Lord.  In Genesis, God called us, His creation, “good,” and in Ephesians 2:10 we are labeled His “masterpiece.”  We have this avouchment from the Holy One that we are okay in our imperfection, yet anxiety runs high and faith lags low.

So, what further can be said to still our quivering minds?

There is no need to read far in the scriptures to find good news.  In fact, the first few sentences of the book of Genesis there is something bright!  Take a look….

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”  -Genesis 1:1-3

God’s Spirit hovers over the deep dark.

GOD IS NEAR

To us, the world can appear as a mysterious unknown, lonely and deeply depressing dark. But God’s Spirit is hovering near.  When parents and spouses and friends fail, when greed and spite and retaliation rise, we need to know that Love remains suspended over us!

“It’s me, Love is here.  Shhhhh, you’re okay.”

As a mother, I remember my babies crying in their sleep, believing dark evils were after them.  With gentle tones of assurance, so as not to scare, I hovered, making sure their fears were spoken to.  Where did I learn that?  How did I know reassurance was necessary?  I am taught by the awareness of my own insecurities.  Sometimes the kids would quiet in their rest.  Other times they stirred awake.  Occasionally, I needed to turn on the light.

Let there be light.

Isn’t that what we all want?  A fully lit path to assure us we’re going the right way and the boogeyman can’t hijack?  We want to see for miles and miles into our future.

GOD ILLUMINATES

God called for Light and there it was, from the very beginning.

“Here,” He might have said, “Let me shed some light on this world thing….”

This Bible book that I am constantly quoting, repeated referencing, daily dipping into, illuminates the entire path.  From beginning to end, we can see the Way.  His way.  While we have no sense of the details each day may bring, we can know and be assured of the outcome when we’re familiar with God’s way.

A quick Google search of light of the world scriptures resulted in a top hit of “98 Bible Verses about Light Of The World.”  Ninety eight!  Just how often do we need to see the Light?

Every. Single. Day.

“And evening passed and morning came….”

Every day the dark comes.  And every day the Light overcomes.  Our vision is dimmed by darkness and at this we tremble.  That is why the daily dose of the Word is so important, when we cannot see, we can still know.  After all, the building of faith comes in the conviction of things not seen.

Faith in the unseen is a component in the word “Untethered” that I chose to define living in Christian freedom.  It is included the following excerpt (written on my very first post!):

“Living Untethered is about feeling relieved by the limits of my own strength and resources, knowing my ends are the beginning of the strengths and resources of God and of others…endless!”

To feel relieved in my limitations and accepting God’s resources sounds a bit like faith, doesn’t it?

I hope you find yourself supported today, both in the affirmation of your God-given limitations and in the necessity of repeatedly looking for the Light via God’s daily encouragement.

Blessings,

Sharon

P.S.  If you are interested in reviewing the Untethered guidelines of Post 1, here is the link.