I woke up this morning with the song \u201cCome Out Of Hiding\u201d playing through my head and heart. \u00a0What a glorious picture of Christ\u2019s heart for us and the description of his desire for us to call out to him, for us to draw near because he wants to help us, he wants to be our \u201chome.\u201d Sometimes it\u2019s hard to ask for help \u2014 perhaps its pride while at other times it\u2019s that we know we need help we just don\u2019t know WHAT help we need. \u00a0What can be really discouraging is when we finally gather the courage to seek out help and either get ignored or denied. \u00a0That little spark of hope gets smothered out and now we feel even more alone than we did before. \u00a0But Jesus tells us that he is ever for us and ever with us. \u00a0This is the description the prophet Isaiah gives of our Saviour:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isaiah 42:1-4<\/span> This morning on my Twitter feed there was a post from a lady who asked church leaders for help. From what I can gather she had experienced abuse in her marriage and the church has not been helpful at all. \u00a0She is basically being wrecked emotionally and financially and the church is standing by and watching. Unfortunately, this story is not an isolated one. Months ago I decided I would try Twitter and within two weeks I was ready to quit. If I thought Facebook was a \u2018forum of fools\u2019 Twitter was a \u2018SWAT meet of snipers.\u2019 \u00a0The worst of the lot were Christians. \u00a0It was a bloodbath! \u00a0But then….then I felt a whisper that I shouldn\u2019t quit Twitter and I just needed to delete anyone who drained my spirit and see what God might have for me. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since then I have found wonderful leadership feeds that inspire me and theological discussions that challenge my understanding of the Bible and God…and its been really good! On top of that, God has led me to listen to women who have been or are in the midst of abuse \u2014 particularly in the church. \u00a0These women crush my heart with their stories \u2014 how they just want to be heard, valued, respected, loved \u2014 and, in particular, how they have been ignored, blamed, or villainized when they have sought help. \u00a0The worst is that pastors, in particular, are some of the most harmful and least helpful…some of them ARE the abusers!!!!!! \u00a0Thankfully, a number of them have been willing to dialogue with me on how I can better listen and give care when\/if there\u2019s ever a time someone comes to me in similar situation. \u00a0I believe God is using these women to grow compassion in me and a desire for justice on their behalf and in that, giving a glimpse of His own heart regarding injustice and abuse and how the church should NEVER be a place where that occurs and is tolerated. \u00a0God help us! \u00a0God help us listen and see and love and step into the mess because we love with YOUR heart! \u00a0I think its God\u2019s heart position that will enable us to do so. \u00a0I think of the Psalmist who wrote,\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 86:1-6<\/span> I can hear this plea echoing from these ladies story after story. \u00a0My own heart has cried out in this way when I felt lost and needing help. \u00a0O Lord, break our hearts and hone our sensitivity…I feel so overwhelmed I can\u2019t even put into words, or into a prayer, the depth of \u201cfeel\u201d I have for these situations. \u00a0The more I listen the more I become aware, the more I become broken, and the more I just want to show love. How can anyone treat another person like this?! How can the church be silent?! O Lord, help us! When people are abused they withdraw and hide for self-preservation and protection. \u00a0They don\u2019t know where there is a safe place or person for them. \u00a0When they have shared they have gotten shut-down or reaped even more abuse and so intimacy isn\u2019t even something they hope for because who is there for them? \u00a0Jesus wants to be our safe place to come to and invites us into intimacy to share BECAUSE\u00a0he<\/strong>\u00a0IS THERE. \u00a0I think when our hearts get transformed by him we too desire to be that for others…we want to be a place of safety…we become the hands and feet of Christ. \u00a0Everyone needs Jesus \u2014 some just need human hugs that display his heart. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n God, please help me to become more of a \u201csafe\u201d person where people can know they are cherished. Help me to run to you when I feel like hiding in my own brokenness. \u00a0Fill me with YOUR sacrificial love so I can run to others. \u00a0Be with all of these ladies who are strangers to me but have tugged on my heart and filled my prayers. \u00a0May they find peace and support in You and with a healthy church family to give them support and hugs. \u00a0Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out Of Hiding<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Steffany Gretzinger) \u2003’Cause I loved you before you knew it was love Now rid of the shackles, My victory’s yours And now I’ll be your lighthouse \u2014 When you’re lost at sea And oh, as you run \u2014 What hindered love I woke up this morning with the song \u201cCome Out Of Hiding\u201d playing through my head and heart. \u00a0What a glorious picture of Christ\u2019s heart for us and the description of his desire for us to call out to him, … Continue reading
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.\u00a0He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;\u00a0a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice<\/strong>.\u00a0He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.\u00a0Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you-you are my God.\u00a0Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.\u00a0Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.\u00a0For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.\u00a0Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This \u201cdevotional\u201d feels more like a rant in a journal and I apologize with it\u2019s lack of clarity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Come out of hiding \u2014 You’re safe here with Me
There’s no need to cover \u2014 What I already see
You’ve got your reasons \u2014 But I hold your peace
You’ve been on lock-down \u2014 And I hold the key<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2003And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
\u2003And you were the one that I was thinking of
\u2003When I rose from the grave<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I tore the veil for you to come close
There’s no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You’re not far from home<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I will illuminate \u2014 Everything
No need to be frightened by intimacy
No, just throw off your fear \u2014 And come running to Me<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will only become \u2014 Part of the story
Baby, you’re almost home now
Please don’t quit now
You’re almost home to me
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"