Gently Led by a Powerful God

Koosah Falls on the McKenzie River

"Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all Power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. The weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. Let your weakness be a door to My Presence. Whenever you feel inadequate, remember that I am your ever present help."
~ Sarah Young in Jesus Calling

Upon my arrival to Belknap Hot Springs Lodge and Resort I was struck by the powerful sound of the McKenzie River. My past visit was in late August when the river was at it’s lowest. Late spring may be when the river and waterfalls are at their fullest.

The powerful movement and sound of the water made me stand in awe of His almighty strength. I came in my weakness, needing to be healed and filled. He made me see His omnipotence. I rest in the palm of His mighty hand. I can feel secure and safe because even though He is so strong, he is gentle with me.

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:10-11

When I go on these Solitary Retreats I often bring instrumental hymns with me and a few choice songs with words. As I was meditating on the above quote and verse Chris Tomlin’s song, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” came on.

All the way my Savior leads me
Who have I to ask beside
How could I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide

All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial
Feeds me with the living Bread

You lead me and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me

All the way my Savior leads me
O, the fullness of His love
O, the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood
And when my spirit clothed immortal
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way

Sarah Young wrote, “Let your weakness be a door to My Presence. Whenever you feel inadequate, remember that I am your ever present help.”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matt 5:3

The ESV Study Bible Note says, “the poor in spirit are those who recognize they are in need of God’s help.”

My prayer:
Father, I am in need of your help. The shoulder and neck pain continue even as I sketch and watercolor paint. I will choose to not be discouraged but engage in the process of changing postural positions and slowing down to enjoy the moment. I want my physical weakness to be a door that I let your presence enter through. My default is to figure out how I can fix it. You want me dependent and to acknowledge that you are my ever present help. The help doesn’t always come in relief of the pain but often in a shift of my perspective and a good conversation with you! Your presence is then called upon as I surrender my independent spirit and rely on your guidance in the moment. Help me rest in your strong arms.

Sarah Young writes, “Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness.”

This word picture of a golden cord of hope is taking shape in my mind. I need to sketch and paint it someday. Jesus, show me how to bear Your yoke which is easy and Your burden which is light (Matt.11:30).

My husband preached a sermon on the Doctrine of Hope (The Foundry: Doctrine of Hope - March 14, 2010). In it he mentioned that hope is rooted in faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

“Faith is the conviction of something we can’t see. Hope is the anticipation of seeing it come about.” ~ Matt Guerino

Hope is not wishful thinking as our secular world defines it. “I hope I win the lottery;” or “I hope the weather will be fine for our camping trip.” There is no certainty in those things.

Titus 1:2-3 say, “in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior.”

Biblical hope is secure due to the character of God and the promise of His Word. I can anticipate eternal life, a hope that encompasses an end to all suffering because He has promised to redeem this fallen world. I long for the return of Christ and his promise to restore that which has been broken by our rebellion and sin.

I plan a Solitary Retreat to foster that biblical hope. In a beautiful location which is a foretaste of God’s redeemed earth, I can rest and have my perspective renewed.

When I’m reminded that my faith is rooted in God’s immutable (unchanging) character and I hold onto the promises in His word, I am able to cling to that golden cord of hope with a firm grip. Jesus bears the burdens that I brought with me and I’m free to be filled with his gentle love and tender mercy. He leads me all the way.

“You are on the right path. Listen more to Me, and less to your doubts. I am leading you along the way I designed just for you. Therefore, it is a lonely way, humanly speaking. But I go before you as well as alongside you, so you are never alone. Do not expect anyone to understand fully My ways with you, any more than you can comprehend My dealings with others. I am revealing to you the path of Life day by day, and moment by moment. As I said to My disciple Peter, so I repeat to you: Follow Me.” ~ Sarah YoungSahalie Falls on the McKenzie River

Moss covered rocks lined the muddy trail to the waterfalls. I was guided by spongy green markings and the majestic sound of the McKenzie River. The turquoise color of the water surrounded by rushing white foam is unique to that part of the river between Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls.

My conversation with the Father:
I feel your strength alongside me in the power of the rushing, white foaming river! You are always beside me and yet I often forget or doubt. It is as if when the mist comes in and obscures my vision, I can’t see you. Pain does that but here you give me the sound of the waters. I need to keep your Words of Truth spoken or sung to me during such times. Thank you for the instrumental hymns that I brought along. As I rest on an ice pack with my neck pain I can listen to the gentle reminders of your unchanging character and steadfast promises.

"When some basic need is lacking - time, energy, money - consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment. This is where you are meant to live - in the present: it is the place where I always await you. Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me. The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success. Health and wealth can disappear instantly, as can life itself. Rejoice in your insufficiency, knowing that My Power is made perfect in weakness."

~From the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Thank you Debby @Markings in the Wood for the timely quotes from your reading that I took with me on my retreat.

As it is my desire to grow in letting go of my product driven assessment of how I am growing in Christ to more of a process spirituality, God gave me the weekend to live that out. I struggled with fluctuating pain and had to assess the moment over and over again. I had to call on his strength and tender mercy and learn to relax.

I had no one else’s needs to attend to and was able to do this with some success. I’m back home and am caring for my husband, children, and the house. I’m struggling with living in the moment and enjoying the process of living. I must remember Sarah’s reminder that when a basic need is lacking, Christ is calling on me to depend on him right then and there. I have to concentrate on putting all my energy and effort into relying on him for what is needed. I often run to use what little strength I have and I always come up short.

Ken Boa writes, “To follow Christ is to move into territory that is unknown to us and to count on his purposeful guidance…It is to learn to respond to God’s providential care in deepening ways and to accept the pilgrim character of earthly existence with its uncertainties, setbacks, disappointments, surprises, and joys. It is to remember that we are in a process of gradual conformity to the image of Christ so that we can love and serve others along the way.”

I realize that this journey of learning to accept the process is not coming easy to me. My nature is fighting it. I’m thankful that God in his grace will not give up on conforming me to the image of his Son.