Reflection: Again: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection:

1.     In what ways do we allow our failures to direct our days?

2.     Why do we hold them so tightly?

3.     Do we really believe that the Lord will restore us wholly to sing and dance again? Why or why not?

4.     How has He already brought hope into your heart—into your circumstances?

5.     What step of faith do you need to choose next?

Again: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reading Jeremiah 31: 4

“Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you shall take up your tambourines, and go forth to the dancers of the merrymakers.”

Again I will build you.

Seasons change. Brokenness, disease, failures will be renewed, rebuilt, restored. From the charred earth of raging forest fires grows a new meadow flowing with color and life and freshness. Seedling trees reach upward next to giants with charred scars. Cycle spins towards life.

Do we believe? Can we hang on in hope waiting for new seeds in ourselves when all we see within and without is devastation? And Your words of hope—Your presence of Spirit still whispering care. But to sing and dance? Somehow that still seems uncaring. Can mourning and dancing truly abide side by side?

Only in the Spirit’s power. Only when we can recognize it is not our doing but God’s grace pouring new life into us.

Lord, help us to wait upon Your timing—Your new season—trusting in Your Presence in all the seasons of heart and soul and mind and strength.

Your Thoughts,