Awaken our Hearts

It's raining here and as I was driving home this evening I saw what looked like lightning. So, as the rain continues to hit my window, I imagine a magnificent thunderstorm....

The thunder shakes the earth as the lightning illuminates the night sky. The flood gates of heaven are opened and rain is poured fresh upon the earth. In all of this I am left in awe of the G-d who created the storm; who created me. I can hear His mighty voice in the thunder, see his glory in the lightning and feel his spirit in the rain. I have a strong desire to stand in the midst of it and let it all consume me. ... If only it weren't so cold....

I have been running away from G-d for so long. I know He has a plan for my life and I hear Him speak to my heart, beckoning me to come closer and enter in to relationship. He speaks to me in dreams and tugs on my heart-strings. I desire to know Him and serve Him but something holds me back.

I have always feared I would be one whose love had grown cold. I feared I would be turned away and have to hear Him say "I never knew you". G-d never let it be so.

I hear Him say: "Run baby run. My hands release you baby. Run raby run as fast as you can. Run till your heart leads you to the real truth. You're my daughter, my son. Run baby run."

How can we run from G-d when He is all around us? It is humorous but we do it every day. Yet, He is always there, waiting for me and calling me back to Him and His love.

How I long to be drenched in the rain of His presence; to stand there in surrender as the water washes over me and there are no distracitons.

I miss the country. I miss wide open spaces where you can see land for miles and miles. I miss sitting in a field and hearing the wind rustle though the long stem grasses or wheat. I miss the wildflowers that added a splash of color and beauty in a sea of brown grasses. I miss the sound of the birds singing. I miss the smell of the alfalfa ripe for harvest with all those beautiful purple blooms. I miss the silence and the stars.In all of this I see the hand of G-d. I hear His gentle voice and I am left speechless.

"Jesus I long to be holy. Jesus I long to be real."
"Take me past the outer courts, into the holy place. Past the sacred alter, LORD I want to see your face. Take me past the crowds of people and the priests who sing your praise. I hunger and thirst for your righteousness. It's only found in one place. Take me into the holy of holies. Take me in by the blood of the lamb. Take me into the holy of holies. Take the scroll. Cleanse my lips. Here I am."

Sunday I met with some of my co-workers for a going-away brunch. One of the ladies was leaving and asked me to come with them. I didn't know when I'd see her again so I agreed. I was torn between that or church. She was blessed to have me come and I was blessed to get to spend a little time with these dear people I only see in the chaotic frame of work.

Well, I made it to church for the last 15 minutes and couldn't have been more glad I'd decided to step through those doors- late as I was. G-d's presence was clearly there and I felt my heart softening to Him. I don't know what Pastor was talking about but I know that Jesus was there. As I sat on the floor in the back of the room, away from people and distraction, I was overcome by the awareness of my need for Him. I knew that I needed to stop running away from Jesus and back into His arms, for real. Nothing half-hearted. A line of a song ran through my memory and it was all I could think of. "Oh I wanna yearn for You. I wanna burn with passion...."

Jesus is coming back for His Bride (the church- His people called by His name). But that Bride is not prepared. She doesn't have enough oil for her lamp and her dress is soiled. She has been lulled to sleep in apathy.
Daughter of Zion, throw off your bed clothes and wipe the sleep from your eyes. Prepare yourself for the wedding to come. Your Bridegroom is coming and you need to be ready.

Jesus, awaken our hearts to the knowledge of you. "Fill us with the knowledge of G-d, with the knowledge of You, with the knowledge of the Holy, Holy." Give us eyes to see you, ears to hear and a heart to understand all that you are speaking to us.

Sound the alarm on your holy hill. Blow a trumpet in Zion that the King of glory may come in. The hour is upon us and it is time to stop running from G-d and into His arms. He is the only safe place. Even so, come Lord Jesus.