@Marcie_Bridges

And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place;
and behold, the word of the Lord came to him,
and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:9

 

Why do you keep your days spinning and spinning
Never resting, always giving
To others, not yourself.
Maybe you don’t want to take a break
Afraid
Of the thoughts that might command
Attention you don’t want to give.
Eventually you’ll need to face
All those things
But it might be too late.
So maybe today you take that step of faith
Settle down in a quiet place
Allow Jesus a bit of space
To heal the hurts you’re so desperately trying to replace
With busy days.

~Marcie Warner Bridges
©28, November 2018
All Rights Reserved.

I step carefully among the Christmas paper ruins afraid of crunching on new found hope. Like walking on a sidewalk trying not to step on the cracks. You know that old wives tale we were taught as children, “Step on a crack you’ll break your mothers back.” Or, perhaps it’s a bit like walking on eggshells. Either way, crushing hopes and dreams made of new toys and gifts is not a good way to end the joyousness of the holiday.

 

So I watch each step as I make my way to the bedroom. Moments after laughter and joy filled the room there is a solemnness in my heart. A sudden switch from warmth to cold within me.

 

What do I do with this sudden deflation of joy? This worry that has replaced the fun? What do we do when reality sets back in as the new year begins?

Elijah took the quickest escape route he could. He had just seen God destroy two altars. There is not a hurricane or an earthquake on this earth that could decimate like the fire God brought down upon those altars. And if that wasn’t enough, Elijah prayed for rain to end the drought. God heard his prayers and granted his request.

 

Yet all it took to send him running for his life was a woman, a queen, threatening to kill him. Alone in the wilderness, weary from the battles of life he says, “No more Lord. No more. Just let me die.”

 

And I’m afraid we’ve all been there. At least once in life. We’ve gone into our own deserted place and requested an end to it all.

 

We’ve run ourselves ragged for weeks decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping, etc… all in hopes we have done everything we could to make it a perfect holiday. Then the magic of Christmas ends. Maybe we don’t seek death, but we seek covers. The cover of darkness to just hide away— be left alone. Or maybe we seek more work to keep us busy and not face the realities of life?

 

We forget God. We forget to go to God.

But He comes to us and says, “What are you doing here?”

 

We give our little excuses. Turn our faces away. Cry into the covers. All the while He is still knocking — prodding. How long will we resist Him? How long until we stand up, go up onto the mountain and listen for His voice?

 

The longer we hide the harder it is to carry the weight of our burdens. The deeper we slide into the pit, the less of His light we will see.

 

It’s a new year. Will you open your heart and let Him enter in? Oh yes, it can be scary this walking in faith. But walking in faith was never meant to be easy. Yet, it is easier than walking continuously on eggshells or trying not to take the wrong steps.

 

What are you doing here, where you’re at? Maybe you’re struggling with demons you never imagined you would. Maybe you’ve kept yourself busy to keep from dealing with things too traumatic or troubling. Maybe instead, there’s a gnawing inside of you or a thirst for something you need to pursue but you just can’t find the bravery to do it.

 

It’s time to turn our full attention and focus onto Jesus. Give Him everything whether it is deemed good or bad. Open the door of our hearts this new year and let God begin the work of healing, restoring, renewing, and give peace to our hearts, minds, and souls.

 

Happy New Year!

From My Heart to Yours,
Marcie