good shepherd
calling me out by name offering yourself as the gate through which I walk into eternal things, presently you have not delayed you come precisely on time to set me free from insecurity there's only confidence and peace in the love you have for me in your generous authority you lay your life down for me take it up again, and call me to abundance your presence is abundance life to the full green pastures where I hear your voice clearly you say you know me, fully and you say, "know me, fully, I don't come to deceive, I don't come and then leave you alone, I tell you the truth, I have come to bring unity, I have come to bring life." Mechanic: Someone who sees the internal issues that hinder something from being in motion freely, fully, or safely, and puts his hands to the work of correcting them.
Humble. Knowledgeable. Patient. Strong. Wise. Discerning. Practical. Ethical. In the middle of the work and able to see it from a wider lens. Doesn't ask for special praise for doing his work excellently, for he finds great joy in the mending of things. Might be covered with oil, like anointing. Looks dirty. Not worried about getting dirty. It’s actually anointing. Also the oil is what makes things work. He is unbothered by people perceiving him as simple when he's really deep. Seeing him as dirty when he's the most clean. Likes to be in the mess Knows how to fix Unassuming Lowly Meek Salt of the Earth Proud of his scars Servant Provider blood and life, they run together,
we can't have one without the other. the bloodless idols that we make have nothing to say to us in our pain, they don't know what it is to bleed, they are too kept and clean to know the suffering felt in the preparation seasons of life: without a regular shedding of blood, bodies would not be equipped to conceive. while idols offer neither compassion nor true relief, our suffering King says, "come to me, I know what it is to bleed, I know what it is to hold pain in a body, I know the felt cost of preparing for the miraculous that is newness of life. come to me, I am not afraid of blood, I am not ashamed, I cover you in love." "If I can't see you, then you can't see me" is a game of immaturity, ignorance, and an inflated view of self. Of course I cannot hide from my omnipotent God, but I can turn my back on Him, hide my face and heart from Him, plug my ears and babble to drown out His still, small voice, and in doing so, grieve Him.
It is about identity. If I submit to looking at Him honestly, all of Him, as much as I can see, then His light can permeate the depths of me and teach my heart the reality of His nature. God is Love. God is Holy. God loves me. God is the one who makes me holy, so that I can be joined to His one and only Holy Son when that day comes. Holy. The Holy Spirit of God dwells in me to sanctify me through and through and I forget that is a grace gift, a profound honor, a promise from the faithful King. Turning around to face Him. It is so simple and it is the hardest thing to look Love in the face and believe Him, to meet that steady gaze that burns up every false identity and leaves me purified and of one mind: Jesus is worthy of it all. He is worthy of it all. Face Him. Face-to-face, heart-to-heart, unified. When I look at Him, I forget the former things because He chooses to not remember them, He chooses to do a new thing, He chooses to give me Himself, fully, with total wild abandon. Because He loves me. Because He wants me. Because it is best for me to be like Him and made new in the attitude of my mind and heart and soul. Ruled by the Spirit, I am free. The Spirit within encourages me: "Face Him! Face your King! Every night and every morning, face Him; He is lovely. Messiah, most holy. Trust me, God is good. There is no goodness apart from Him. Trust me, God is and God is good." It feels silly to need reminders daily of His worthiness, but the Spirit never wearies in directing my gaze towards the Son. "He's the one. He's the one you are longing for, all hope finds its fulfillment in Yeshua, your salvation. He's the one. Look at Him." |
AuthorI write to process. I write to explore. I write with the hope of sharing truth greater than my own. Archives
February 2022
Categories |