Do not despise what I have called beautiful

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  Psalm 34:5

In worship on Sunday, God started to show me a picture of my life journey.  I saw myself walking barefoot on this rocky path, which felt like it was getting harder and harder.  I started asking Him why the path was getting harder and steeper, rather than easier, because I felt like I needed a break!  But God showed me that as He has walked with me through every part of my life, even before I knew who He was, I’ve actually become stronger and stronger.  I could see that over time I have been able to hold onto His hand more firmly, and it’s built an inner strength in me, a stronger friendship with Him, and a deeper trust than I even realised.  So even though the path is getting steeper and more rocky, I’m stronger in Hi,m and so it starts to feel easier!

Then God took me up higher, and I started to see everyone else in the room, each one walking their own rocky path with Him.  As we all came together, I saw each of us falling to our knees in worship.. Even in our brokenness and weakness, we were compelled to worship Him.  Even in what seemed like mess and chaos, our feet bruised and aching from the journey, we chose to kneel on the rocky path and worship despite the pain and discomfort.. Because we knew He was worthy.  It was our only response.  As our paths met, the Lord stood in the midst of us, and I was suddenly aware of this deep peace as His Presence descended, and everything else faded away..

As I continued to look at the scene from above, I became aware of the Lord’s delight at this sacrifice of praise.  Despite what we might think of our worship, He saw it not as messy and inadequate, but as a beautiful and precious offering from grateful hearts..  And as I watched, gold began to flow out onto the rocky ground, filling in all the cracks and empty spaces of our journeys with Him, His glory flowing into our lives as a demonstration of the victories He has already won for us .. I heard Him whisper gently to me, “Do not despise what I have called beautiful”.  Surely He makes everything beautiful in its time…

For He has sent Me to bestow on them..

 a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of joy instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

    a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61: 3