Into The Glorious

It has been a long time since I posted on my blog. A solid "amen!" belongs here! This is not for lack of content. In fact, there have been some exceptionally high highs, some devastatingly low lows and everything that falls in between. There has been life. 

There has been the hard journey of trusting God when I don't see. Surrendering when I know His path is better than my dream. A clearer realization that I am made for more than this world has to offer. An order to set my sights on the things unseen. Believing I am loved by the one who sent His son to die for me. Seeing my not-so-great moments and knowing He knew that slip in judgement would happen and His mercies are still new each day. Trusting God's unchanging character when my feelings tell me otherwise. There has been life. Life lived for Him. Because, after all, He said, "in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" 

I hope to dive into what all God has been teaching me in the moments that have spanned post-to-post. He has been on a diligent march to bring me from the ordinary into extraordinary. It has been both exhausting and exhilarating. Sad and joy-filled. Depressing, yet overflowing with hope.

Today, I was hiking the mountain with my boys, my brother and mom. As I hiked, reflected, prayed, and listened to Christy Nockels album "Into the Glorious" I realized, "that's it". This is it. The hard times, the pain, searing loss, the disappointment, the grieving, the happiness, the joy of life in Him -- it's Him calling me into the glorious. I was made for more. We are made for more. It was a breakthrough.

What does my life speak to? Does it collide with majesty? Am I allowing myself to be poured out as a rich, fragrant offering?  Like Jesus? Or am I scraping and clawing to stop the motion of His gentle hand guiding me down the painful path of refinement? Am I more concerned about my comfort or His splendor? Who do I say that He is? Not verbally, but as I do life. Who is He? Do I realize I fall short of His glory and so settle into that title like a comfy blanket? Or am I throwing off those hinderances, digging deep and soaring to new heights by the power of the Holy Spirit? 

Friends, this life is, in fact, meant for more than this world has to offer. The things that charm us most will burn away. It's Him. He is the only thing that matters. His will. His plans. His purposes. Those are the things that bring joy in Him. 

Life hurts. He told us that. This is not breaking news. But joy is in Him. Success is found by His standards. We know love when we reflect on and learn to love as He loves. We can lie down in the fields of green and find rest in Him. He has got this life. Our only "to do" is to surrender.

Have you ever caught a glimpse of just how hopeless you would be apart from Christ? The sobering moment when you have eyes to see the real you? The deep, unspoken thought that springs up and you are immediately thankful know one reads minds? Yikes. Don't let those be fleeting moments or thoughts. Be thankful. You can't be made more like Him until you see yourself as He sees you.

Can you hear Him calling? Inviting you in? Out from the ordinary into the extraordinary life found only in Him. Aren't you ready? 

There is no greater joy in life than Him. No love deeper, wider, longer, truer, more faithful than His. He died because His love for you and me so outweighed the physical pain He knew He would endure. A sacrifice like that deserves more for me. From all of us.

Lord, Your ways are not our ways and Your thoughts not our thoughts. Praise God! Help us to release the grip and surrender more each day. The process is long and painful, but the reward of You far exceeds anything else. Lord,take us deeper. We long to know You more, yet we stand in the way. Move us. Mold us. Make us the people You created us to be. For Your glory and splendor!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 

Matthew 11:28-30

"This is a heart-cry from my life 

To say I love you, God, I love you 

So take me deeper, oh

I can hear you calling 

Inviting me in 

Into the glorious" 

Into the Glorious - Christy Nockels