Life: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Life

                        Growing labor pains

                        reaching for relief

                        birth of new beginnings

                        life fresh from God.

                        Prayers over lost years

                        refusing to give up hope

                        bound by love’s covenant

                        lost will be found.

Reflection: Endurance: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

           

1.     What is the longest physical endurance you have experienced?

2.     Could you continue to live fully if it had not ended? Or, how do you continue if it is ongoing?

3.     What hope or dream are you looking toward? Would anything cause you to stop before reaching it?

4.     How might creation’s labor pains become a metaphor for our prayers for our loved ones?

Share: How might that help us to not lose heart as years go by?

Endurance: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:22

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now.”

Physical labor pains are difficult enough for a short period of time. But to consider the concept of enduring them without limit is beyond understanding. Thankfully, it can’t happen as medical professionals step in to save the lives.

Yet creation is still waiting for release. Still waiting for the new life once born in the first creation to be restored. When every day brought about a newness of life and “God saw that it was good.”

Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational trials weary us to the bone. In each situation there comes a place of decision. Do we continue to trust in new birth, new beginnings, and new beauty in God’s timing? Or does the waiting, the discomfort, the challenge, the exhaustion, the inconveniences, or the pain, pull us away from trusting in Him and His mercy. We falter. We fall.

Yet what is unattainable in our own strength and determination is possible when we are able to trust the Lord’s love and commitment to us to carry us through. No matter how long the pain endures. No matter the outcome. Because.

We are His living stones, redeemed by His mercy, precious in His sight.

Lord, please keep our hearts steadfast in Your words of life and hope and trust.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:21

“Endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries.”