Suggested Bible reading: Isaiah 42:1-17
Quoted Scripture Verse: Isaiah 42:16
Reflection:
A young woman, sitting on the cold sand, looks out over the whitecap waves. From the sun above, the warm, light beams peek through the billowy clouds, casting shadows of her body on the sand. “God are you there? Are you even listening to me?” she asks aloud. Her heart is filled with sadness and a deep feeling of loneliness. The tears stream down her pale cheeks as her head drops between her weakened knees. She begins to pray, asking God to please release her from the burdens that lay heavy upon her heart. As she prays with much intensity, doubt is in her mind that God is even able to help at all. Meanwhile, the squawking seagulls provide the rhythmic background as they soar above. Taking his wings out of flight, one seagull lands on the sand beside the lonely, young woman. He squawks so loudly that she is forced to look up. There he is: a squawking seagull staring straight into her eyes. At that moment she knew. She knew it was God speaking directly to her saying, “I am here and you are not alone. I will shine light onto your shadows; I will dry your tears. I will give you peace.”
She knew that the presence of God had landed before her on the wings of that squawking seagull, and she became stunningly aware that there was much more around her than just a small, frail bird. A great feeling of peace swept through her heart as she wiped the tears from her face. Looking out over the waves crashing on the sand with the tide rising higher, she spoke aloud these words from Isaiah:
Quoted Scripture Verse: Isaiah 42:16
Reflection:
A young woman, sitting on the cold sand, looks out over the whitecap waves. From the sun above, the warm, light beams peek through the billowy clouds, casting shadows of her body on the sand. “God are you there? Are you even listening to me?” she asks aloud. Her heart is filled with sadness and a deep feeling of loneliness. The tears stream down her pale cheeks as her head drops between her weakened knees. She begins to pray, asking God to please release her from the burdens that lay heavy upon her heart. As she prays with much intensity, doubt is in her mind that God is even able to help at all. Meanwhile, the squawking seagulls provide the rhythmic background as they soar above. Taking his wings out of flight, one seagull lands on the sand beside the lonely, young woman. He squawks so loudly that she is forced to look up. There he is: a squawking seagull staring straight into her eyes. At that moment she knew. She knew it was God speaking directly to her saying, “I am here and you are not alone. I will shine light onto your shadows; I will dry your tears. I will give you peace.”
She knew that the presence of God had landed before her on the wings of that squawking seagull, and she became stunningly aware that there was much more around her than just a small, frail bird. A great feeling of peace swept through her heart as she wiped the tears from her face. Looking out over the waves crashing on the sand with the tide rising higher, she spoke aloud these words from Isaiah:
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not:
I will lead them in paths that they have not known:
I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.
These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
I am the young woman at the beach that day. I felt the breath of God in the wind and his warmth in the sunbeams. In many ways, I see myself as ‘the blind.’ I do not know what lies ahead: The pathway may often seem dark, but through the power of prayer, God will not leave me alone.
Prayer: Gracious God, You are all that I need and all that I am. Take my life and lead me. In my darkness, grant me light. And through all my days, let me to trust Your Word, for You are always with me. Amen.
Thought for the day: God is always with you, even in the smallest of things. Look for His presence in all that you do.
Prayer focus: Pray today for someone who seems lost, without hope, without help.
I will lead them in paths that they have not known:
I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.
These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
I am the young woman at the beach that day. I felt the breath of God in the wind and his warmth in the sunbeams. In many ways, I see myself as ‘the blind.’ I do not know what lies ahead: The pathway may often seem dark, but through the power of prayer, God will not leave me alone.
Prayer: Gracious God, You are all that I need and all that I am. Take my life and lead me. In my darkness, grant me light. And through all my days, let me to trust Your Word, for You are always with me. Amen.
Thought for the day: God is always with you, even in the smallest of things. Look for His presence in all that you do.
Prayer focus: Pray today for someone who seems lost, without hope, without help.
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