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March 2, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Just a Breath, by Tammy Marcelain
Peace. Many seek peace.
I talked with my sister today and she told me she was in the middle of
a breakdown. She is struggling with some health issues right now,
including shingles, and she locked her keys in her running car. A
simple text message to her this morning, "Yo what's up sis?" found her
in the midst of crisis.
What is it that she lacks in her life?
I know, because I have stood right where she is standing. She doesn't
have a relationship with Jesus. She is struggling right now to find
where He fits in her life. Today I say, "Just cover me up with Him,
there is no place for Him not to fit." But, my heart aches for her as I
know just how she feels and struggles to reconcile life and the pain
that comes with it. Life is overwhelming when we don't have Jesus. And
even if we do, we can often be overwhelmed because our eyes have been
distracted to earthly needs and desires.
As I write this, I continue to breathe prayers to Jesus on her behalf.
Will it be today that she lifts her eyes to Him and says, "I am done
trying to do it on my own, I need you O Lord. Save me from myself."?
God's will for our lives is not that we be perfect, not that we come to
him without sin. He made us. He knew the messes we would make. He knew
the weaknesses we have. He chose to create us so we would need him.
I have never seen God work more powerfully!
Some of us have to travel every other road but him before we find the
only path that leads us Home. Satan knows just what to put in the
middle of those other roads to draw us away from God nearer to himself.
He wants us to just take a look, and meander on a bit. But, once the
dirt has touched our shoes, we might not even notice just how far down
the road we have travelled until we are afraid that there is no turning
back.
What is it that leads us to believe that there is a roadblock that
won't allow us to turn around and come back to God? Is it the roadblock
of shame or pride? Those roadblocks might look like they are made of
stone and impossible to get around, but that is an illusion. They are
paper thin. In fact, our breath could blow the road block away. And it
does just that when we get down on our knees, and ask God to lead the
way. With the breath of a prayer, asking for God's help, that roadblock
that looked like a fortress is gone in an instant.
Nothing is impossible with God -- not even finding our way home to him
from the twisted, tangled roads we have traveled. Remember the story of
the prodigal son?
[Jesus is speaking] "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called
your son.'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe
and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his
feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and
celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was
lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate" (Luke 15:21-24
TNIV).
I have never seen God work more powerfully in my life, than when it
came to turning away from sin. It was then, that the Father gave me a
path to follow that would lead me right back to Him. He can do that for
you ... and for my sis. A morning that is full of crisis can lead to a
life that is filled with the only true peace, the peace of knowing
Jesus as our Savior. It begins with a breath. We can breathe that
prayer, watch the road blocks fall, and trust our Father to bring us
home.
I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My
help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm
121:1-2 NIV).
---------
(c) 2008 Tammy Marcelain <marcelain5@sbcglobal.net> and The
Coffee Group
RELATED LINKS:
* When All Your Plans Come Crashing Down
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200609/20060909_crashingdown.html
* God will Come
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200105/20010502_family1160.html
* Come as You Are!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200801/20080102_Come2me.html
* Tammy's Blog
http://www.tammymarcelain.blogspot.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200803/20080302_breath.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
WILD AT HEART, by John Eldredge
Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, this is a guide to
understanding Christian manhood and Christian men.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?153
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
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