JOY: Psalm 63:5
an act or instance of traveling from one place to another
MEAL: Matthew 8:15
a portion of food eaten usually at designated times in the day to satisfy appetite; an act or time of eating
PRAISE: Psalm 63:3
to worship, command, or give honor to
REST: Proverbs 4:16
to sit or lie on; to cease from action or motion; to take relief or respite
SERVANT: Matthew 8:8
one who performs tasks under the direction of another
SLAVERY: Exodus 13:3
submission to a dominating influence; the practice of slaveholding
YEAST: Exodus 13:3
a fungus used for making alcohol and bread
The fear of the Lord brings joy to my heart. I remember my life in Egypt. The confusion, the resentment, the pain, the fear, the pride, the loneliness-the slavery. In fact, the Lord rescued me from all of it recently. The yeast in my heart caused a great decay within, and it was detrimental to my soul. I held the trauma inside to the point of bursting-from my wrong living and from religious people and their leaders. I wouldn't forgive myself or others, and I used the gifts God gave me to destroy them. I committed myself to destruction, and there was no rest for my soul because of it.
I remember when the Lord began chasing me down with intention and intensity. It was terrifying. I was terrified because all I'd ever known up until then was decay and short lived peace. I thought he was punishing me, but really, he was pruning me-breaking me and then loving on me-both, with precision. He pierced my heart in the most poetic way. So, yes, I will praise God for the rest of my life, both here and after. How could I not? The joy of the Lord has consumed me and I don't have time for much else these days. He has proven what is right in his sight through correcting me. He corrects the one he loves. Now, he honors me, and I am honored to reflect what he has taught me back into the world.
Through it all, from slavery to servant, from suffering in slavery, to victory in Christ, to share a meal with Jesus-I am truly grateful beyond words. I never thought the day would come when I'd be grateful for the trials and tribulation-but God! Isn't it so refreshing to be loved unconditionally? What love! Love conquers all. Love covers a multitude of sins. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. ~1 Corinthians 13:13~
I pray we never forget the great kindness he has shown us. I pray whoever is reading this-if they are still in Egypt-that the Lord chase them down with his love and break the yoke of bondage, and may he cleanse the yeast in their land. I love you. Jesus loves you. Shalom Shalom
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