Light

In the depths of surrender is a quivering beam of  light that rises, trembling, liltingly amidst the crashing towers of a city built of whimsy and cracked, crumbling self (broken and crooked since time forgotten) and this light shivers under the ripples of cobwebs falling away, and it is drawn up to the source, the True Light, and in a brilliant flash, it illuminates the wasteland. The broken glass of fragile things cast down and shattered catches the light, and in this new light, the charred earth underneath seems less burnt-black than it is alive-black. Somewhere, slicing through the thick stillness of new light strong and pure, is a aubade of rapture, timid and sweet, that lifts the silence and transforms it into reverence. The words are well-fitted, but matter little even so. For resurrection after surrender isn’t about the shape that breathes again in humility, but rather the Spirit that gives the breath and the light in the eyes and the quickening of the hands again.

And in the nascent breath of spring light, with feet bare and head uncovered and prayers again taking shape (not out of habit, but out of faith), a young girl was taught again how to sing.

Wisdom from Spurgeon

Evening, November 11th

“He shall choose our inheritance for us.” – Ps. 47:4

Believer, if your inheritance be a lowly one you should be satisfied with your earthly portion; for you may rest assured that it is the fittest for you. Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, and selected for you the safest and best condition. A ship of large tonnage is to be brought up the river; now, in one part of the stream there is a sandbank; should some one ask, “Why does the captain steer through the deep part of the channel and deviate so much from a straight line?” His answer would be, “Because I should not get my vessel into harbor at all if I did not keep to the deep channel.” So, it may be, you would run aground and suffer shipwreck, if your divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession. Some plants die if they have too much sunshine. It may be that you are planted where you get but little, you are put there by the loving Husbandman, because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto perfection. Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances, and if you had the choosing of your lot, you would soon cry, “Lord, choose my inheritance for me, for by my self-will I am pierced through with many sorrows.” Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good. Take up your own daily cross; it is the burden best suited for your shoulder, and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God. Down busy self, and proud impatience, it is not for you to choose, but for the Lord of Love!

“Trials must and will befall—

But with humble faith to see

Love inscribed upon them all;

This is happiness to me.”

[Taken from Spurgeon's devotional book, Morning and Evening]