Reflected Light

It has been a while since we posted on this blog. Sometimes it is hard to come back to something – you feel like you need to write something important or crazy to recapture the attention of the readers. I tried writing something a couple of days ago, but it simply didn’t flow. It was some thoughts based on a podcast I had heard. But today when I was pondering it, I felt God say, ‘But what have I been saying to you recently?’

A couple of days ago I was asking Jesus to meet me in my heart. Usually I find Him somewhere like a beautiful woodland or an alpine meadow. But this time it was in one of my newer favourite places – the stretch of rocks between Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle. I have had several wonderful days there in recent years simply clambering all over the rocks with my husband and son. The view from those rocks is always dominated by the ruin of the castle ahead of us. In my heart, Jesus was clambering on the rocks with us having a lot of fun, but then I felt him draw my attention to the castle.

‘Why are you showing me this, Jesus?’ Immediately my mind was filled with the verses about God being our refuge, such as Psalm 18:2 –

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I started writing down what I thought he was saying:

‘I am your rock, your fortress and your deliverer. I am your strong tower, your refuge. I am your joyful walk on the rocks. I am more than a windswept ruin on a hillside – I have life and safety. I have shelter, companionship and home. Lean into me and I will not disappoint you.’

I decided to lean in. ‘So what does my refuge in You look like, Jesus?’ I wrote:

In my mind I see a room within a strong fortress. It is warm and inviting with a log fire. Friends there are chatting, curled up under cosy blankets. There is music, laughter, celebration. There is deep conversation and lovely books to read. There is so much beauty and intimacy. And Jesus is right in the centre, and a feeling almost of ecstasy – pure joy and love – flowing from Him and through all of us. Our hearts are on fire.

Activation:

Take a moment to ask Holy Spirit some questions. What kind of refuge are you for me? What detail can you show me? What do I feel when I am inside it? Where are you in it, Jesus, and what are you doing? Where am I? Is there anything more you want to say to me?

Prayer:

God, you are my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. Thank you that you are my shelter as the storms rage around me. Help me to hide myself in you.

Photo by Steve Douglas on Unsplash