Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Take flight

Monday, March 15, 2010

Isaiah 65:17-21
Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and take joy in my people. The voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die a hundred years old.

John 4:49-51
The court official would not be put off. "Come down - it's life or death for my son!"

Jesus replied simply, "Go home. Your son lives." The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home.

Saturday night I dreamed my son Chris and I were flying, exploring a city full of gargoyles, slate roofs, open windows, art from every century. Turn your body an inch and move any way you want to go. Lift a finger and rise or fall to just where you want to be. Reach out a hand and every window opens. Nothing in the way.

When life swoops down to greet me like that, jumping out of bed in the morning seems second nature. Nothing in the way. Always and forever joy.

Saturday we played all day with one-year-old Jack Titus, Chris and Melissa's son. He had been sick but was well. He slept but then awoke. He threw out his arms and laughed. Watching two more generations of "me" and remembering the wistful eyes of my dad at 80, I noticed my own mortality. How sweet to be alive. Dad couldn't lift his arms much before he died, but he told the worlds to his favorite song ran often through his mind: "I'll fly away, o Glory, I'll fly away."

In my dream, after a long time in the air Chris said it was time to stop. Maybe he knew it was time to come back to earth and be with Jack. Maybe he thought I was getting tired. Maybe I was.

How long do we wait for Isaiah's promises? Isn't it all right here? I will NEVER forsake you, God says. Don't be afraid. Take a deep breath, spread your arms out wide, and fly.

What a ride!

I never know, Lord, how things will go tomorrow. When things are going great I think I've got it made. Then you look the other way and I fall to pieces. But there is never a pit you leave me fallen into, Lord. You lift me up and out of the grave time and time again. You get angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. You turn my mourning into dancing and gird me up with gladness. Always into eternity, Lord, weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning. -- Psalm 30

Devotions Archive

Take flight

Monday, March 15, 2010