. . . and there it is. I see it. I see His glory on your face. There are still storm clouds black and rumbling round you, but not within you, child. Not within you any longer.
What peace is found when gazing on the right thing.
Artwork: woman praying, unknown
This is so beautifully perfect, Stacey. I have nothing to add. this post should be our guiding light every moment of every day.
ReplyDeleteBob
It is a practiced discipline to keep our gaze on that right thing. :)
ReplyDeleteI never thought of it as a 'practical (or practiced) discipline', I have always thought of it as a gift, a most cherished blessing. But you have made me think, and you are right. Like the prodigal son, we return to our Father, constantly, over and over, moment by moment, throughout the day. He is always waiting for us.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a practiced thing, no different than using our muscles in our body makes us stronger. We must practice putting our thoughts beneath our will - and in turn our will is yielded to His spirit - and the more we intentionally do it, the easier it becomes to keep our thoughts on the right thing. I like how you put it - returning to our Father continually.
ReplyDeleteThis might seem nit-picky, Stacey... but here I go anyway! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is not a matter of keeping our "thoughts" on the right thing. We come out of our thoughts, rise above them, and come into the Light of His presence. The experience transcends both thoughts and feelings. It is like a little potted flower being moved out of a dark closet and into the sunshine.
Trying to experience God through our thoughts is like trying to feel silk through leather gloves, and trying to experience God through our feelings is like trying to feel silk through woolen mittens.
Conversely, experiencing God does trickle down to affect our thoughts and feelings.
You nailed it more accurately when you called it, keeping our GAZE on the right thing.
I know you know this.
Bob