9 Days of Seclusion: ONE
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“And because the Lord had closed her womb, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Elkanah her husband would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you down hearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up.” ~1 Samuel 1:6-9
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(Inspired by Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel)
God, I’ve done all I know to do, and yet your peace has not found me.
I’m done trying to convince my subconscious that I’m fine. I’m not.
All I feel
is an emptiness
I cannot express.
Food has lost its taste.
Beauty has lost its breath.
Victory has lost its touch.
But no more, for I have just enough within me for ONE…
ONE last stand. ONE last decision. ONE last cry.
No more pacifying my purpose to death.
No more sinking under skepticism and settling for safe.
No more feeling selfish because my spirit craves the taste of a dream fulfilled.
Yes… I know they’re watching… but I’m too weary to care.
This is MY moment
to ASK,
to SEEK,
to KNOCK at the door of the ONE True God.
Master, can you feel the vibration of my silent scream?
Do you hear the weeping of my soul?
You said you count our tears. Haven’t I reached my quota?
My eyes stay full, but my heart… my heart grows vacant for that
ONE THING
I know is meant to be mine.
So, here I am.
All I have left stands before you weak in the knees, but I do feel my help coming from angel wings.
SOVEREIGN GOD, You’re the only ONE who can LOVE me into Destiny.
Give me the blessed assurance of your Divinity.
Only you can,
only you will
reveal the "GOD n Me."
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When a Woman Takes a Stand…
I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my anguish and grief.” ~1 Samuel 1:15b-17
There is no greater peace than when you are fulfilling destiny, and there is no greater pain when you’re not. Hannah’s story is a perfect example of how a dream deferred looks and feels. She suffered greatly, so much so that she appeared out of character.
Are you grieving over your future? How much more are you willing to take?
What if God is allowing the pressures of life to position you to stand for a greater purpose?
At some point in life, we all come to a crossroad where we must wrestle with God’s delays. But delay is not denial. The Apostle Paul writes:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me.” ~Philippians 3:12
Hannah became tired enough to pursue, to plead, to push for God’s divine providence.
And she said to him, “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord.” ~1 Samuel 1: 26-28a
Hannah was tired, but she made ONE choice and her son, the prophet Samuel, and the children of Israel lived in the benefits of her making ONE choice. God grew tired, too. Tired enough to make ONE choice. His choice was to save us through the blood of Jesus Christ, and as His children are living in the benefits of God’s ONE choice. Benefits that give us access to a Heavenly Father who hears and answers our desperate appeal:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, presents your requests unto God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6-7
Does your soul keep telling you it’s yours?
Then, PUSH. Push beyond your pain.
PLEAD. Plead the blood of Jesus over your future.
PRESS. Press God in the Spirit and drown out the lies of your flesh.
The stand you take today may open the door to what is yet to come.
There’s only ONE choice worth making. STAND, and CHOOSE GOD.
