A
t the time of this writing, I have a five week old
son and a 2 1/2 year old daughter. Mornings are
not what they used to be! I feel overwhelmed
and exhausted nearly every morning right now,
with no quiet moments for Scripture reading and
contemplation. Instead, I’m learning to invite God
into the confusion and chaos I feel in the moment.
His presence enables me to dive in and swim in these
moments rather than have them crash in my face. It’s
been an exercise in finding an internal state of rest
that is less dependent on external pressures, and I am
learning much. This song is leftover from Christmas
but is still so relevant to the ongoing, prolonged
anticipation of God setting things right in the world:
Comfort, comfort ye my people,
speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
comfort those who sit in darkness,
mourning ‘neath their sorrow’s load;
speak ye to Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them;
tell her that her sins I cover,
and her warfare now is over.
Make ye straight what long was crooked,
make the rougher places plain:
let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits his holy reign,
For the glory of the Lord
now o’er the earth is shed abroad,
and all flesh shall see the token
that his word is never broken.
-Marlene
W
hat do I strive for in morning worship?
Mostly, I just try to get out of bed in time
to do it. It is easy for me to lie in bed
and let my mind wander--maybe breathing a prayer
or two, but never making it past that--and then, all
of a sudden, it is time to get up and get ready for the
day and my devotional time has slipped away.
I want to work at giving God the “first fruits” of
connection and worship--my morning time, when
I am fresh.
Lately, I’ve tried doing ten or fifteen minutes of
body stretching and strengthening while I listen to
worship music. This helps me get in those exercises I
never have time for otherwise, while waking up my
mind and helping me to focus on God.
This simple worship song As the Deer, expresses the
deepest desires of my heart.
-Luci
As the deer panteth for the water,
So my soul longs after You.
You alone are my heart’s desire,
And I long to worship You.
Chorus: You alone are my strength my shield,
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire,
And I long to worship You.
I want you more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye.
You’re my friend and You are a brother,
Even though You are a King.
I want you more than any other,
So much more than anything.
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