Not On My Own
Psalm 11:1-4 (CSB)
I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me, "Escape to the mountain like a bird! For look, the wicked string the bow; they put the arrow on the bowstring to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; He examines everyone.
I don’t need to run or hide myself when I face conflict and pain either internally or externally. I do not need to fear chaos that swirls around me. I choose to hide myself in God. I can put my full confidence in the one who is never shaken. Not one circumstance can diminish his unshakable power or the purpose he has already established. He sees all things all the time.
When I don’t see that I am hidden in God, who I am in him and to him or have his perspective, I feel I am left to fend for myself. I protect myself by withdrawing, judging, criticizing, shaming myself and others and becoming rigid. I hold tightly to my perspective and ideas not wanting to lose myself. Unable to love purely, I become more and more isolated from others and less willing to give of myself. If I deem others unworthy, their opinion no longer matters to me. By withdrawing, I keep myself from truly being seen. By lashing out or gossiping, I keep others away. I constantly need to protect myself by reacting to my world.
When Jesus is my hiding place, I act out of who He has created me to be. Things that normally would cause a reaction no longer affect me the same way. I am able to respond as he would. I am not put in my world to retreat into myself, but to bring God’s goodness and joyful life into my world whether that be a rude cashier, a tantrum throwing toddler, an exhausted friend, a grieving coworker, the poor in my city, a struggling neighbor or people in a far away place.
I am created to join with others to bring goodness to my home, my neighborhood, my city, my country and my world in which I live. When I align myself with who God says I am, he gives me his creative ideas and his wisdom. Whether I own a business, am out of a job, stay home with my kids, juggle home and work, have a lot or have a little, am socially awkward or great with people, live an adventurous or maintain quiet one, I am a carrier of God’s goodness and presence. I am created to bring his kingdom to my world. I can only do this if I am hidden in him. When I hide myself behind what he says instead of lies I tend to believe, I will no longer react but instead respond to my world.
I DON’T WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE DEFINED BY WHO IS AGAINST ME, BUT DEFINED BY WHO IS FOR ME. In him my life is unshakable and I stand on solid ground despite what is going in my life, my home, my city, my country and my world. There is always a place of safety when I am hidden in him.
FATHER, TEACH ME WHAT IT MEANS TO HIDE MYSELF IN YOU DAY BY DAY AND MOMENT BY MOMENT. FORGIVE ME FOR BELIEVING THE LIE THAT I AM ON MY OWN AND HAVE TO FEND FOR MYSELF. SHOW ME WHO YOU SAY I AM AND HELP ME LEARN TO BELIEVE IT. SHOW ME ANY PLACE IN MY HEART WHERE I AM BELIEVING YOU ARE NOT GOOD OR YOU ARE NOT FOR ME. THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE PATIENT WITH ME AND ARE ALWAYS MOVING ME TOWARDS RESTORATION AND GREATER WHOLENESS. HELP ME TO SEE MY WORLD AS YOU DO AND TO BRING YOUR GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE TO THE WORLD IN WHICH I LIVE. AMEN.
