Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

You have been taking me into Deeper Waters in recent weeks, Lord.  The Well of Your Presence runs deeper than any earthly ocean.  Deeper than any waters I have ever known.

Thankfully, though, I am not afraid.

I was once terrified of Deep Waters.  Maybe because I almost drowned in them.  Before You, that is.  Not in a physical sense… but in a mental, emotional and spiritual sense. Although the waters that engulfed me then were invisible, they were just as deadly as the most treacherous flash flood.

But You rescued me!

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you… for I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”  (Isaiah 43:2a,3a)

The waters in Your Well are different, Lord.  I left the surface long ago and, by Your Spirit (and Your gracious Invitation), I am diving deeper than ever before.

As I dive, You are stripping away layer-upon-layer of ground-in dirt.  Dirt I didn’t even realize was there.  The kind of “inside-out” dirt that inevitably affects my “outside-in” appearance and demeanor.

This morning’s “layer” was hinted at in a single word of a single verse that “popped” into my head when I asked You what You wanted to talk about today.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13).

I CAN do all things.  The question is:  WILL I?

As You so often love to do, You began to ask me some profound and penetrating questions…

“What are the things you must let go of in order to more fully grab hold of Me — My Truth and My Presence?”

“What are the things you are still turning to for ‘comfort’ that are a poor substitute for Me — the Father of Compassion and the God of All Comfort?”

“How are you still wasting your time with mindless distractions that keep you from investing more of your time and yourself in Me?”

Because there is only one crucial Bottom Line.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  (Matthew 22:37)

Oh, Beloved… You have brought me so far — taught me so much — in even the last six weeks!  Lessons about the real Power for Abundant Living.

The power of accepting responsibility for my choices.  The power of uncovering the “Lies that Bind” me, and discovering and believing the “Truth that Sets Me Free.”

Your Power, Lord, to help me make right choices, moment-by-moment.  Supernatural power that is unleashed not by my working harder, but by my surrendering more.  To You, Lord… and only You.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The Promise is:  I CAN.  The Question is:  WILL I?

“I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses… that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose LIFE…”  (Deuteronomy 30:19)

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”  (2 Peter 1:3)

So what will it be… ?

Savoring this “Breakfast for Champions”…

Abba’s Girl

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *