Carried

I like being moved. There is a chair lift in a resort town in the Appalachian mountains I’ve ridden several times, and each time I have the same delightful experience of being carried. To sit back with my feet swinging, feeling the sun on my face and the wind in my hair, as I am caught up and away to the top of the mountain. The journey requires nothing of me, except my willingness to be born along to the eventual destination. Blissful moments of resting in the steady momentum of something other than myself. Trust is a gift I gladly embrace.

It is desirable to have a solid foundation of trust in the sovereignty of God. By this I mean being convinced God is bigger and stronger than everything and everyone, and His good purpose is inexorable. “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior. Indeed before the day was, I am He; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:10-11,13 NKJV)

Believing in God’s sovereignty enables us to be carried, born along, by His Word and His purpose. No matter what the circumstances, be they the best of times or the worst of times, resting in His sovereign goodness releases us to give all our strength in obedience and to be witnesses of His redemption and power. When we are carried in this way, our energy is not wasted in anxious thoughts or frantic strategies. Our eyes are wide open, scanning the horizon, expecting His appearing.

Dear reader, how are you traveling? Are you trudging along under your own steam? Are you frantically searching for ways and means to arrive somewhere – somewhere that is happier, easier, less demanding; somewhere more exciting or fulfilling? Trust in the Lord. Wait (rest) on Him, and mount up with wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31) The eagle rarely flaps its wings. It merely rides the current of thermal air. We, my friend, are promised a ride that doesn’t require flapping. We can truly rest and be carried by the wind of the Spirit. Whether He calls us to come to Him, to go into the world, or to stay in this field, we will be able to “walk on water” with eyes fixed on Him even if there is a storm raging around us.

Until next week, beloved, rest in His sovereignty and be carried by His Spirit.