“See, I am doing something new.
Now it springs forth. Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness.
Rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19
Something happens when you find yourself lying on your bed unable to fall asleep.
Not just for one or two nights. Sometimes, life enters seasons of uncertainty and trials that keep you up and your heart restless.
Life may not unfold the way you thought it would.
You try hard to remember who you once were, searching your heart for glimmers of what it was that made you once feel alive. Young, innocent, refreshed.
Jesus understands and sees that longing in us. To find a way. To feel safe and held again.
As sunlight first warms you in the morning, Jesus draws near to whisper —
I am here.
Making a way. For you. With you.
And you begin to cry. Because you miss the nearness of God’s tender touch.
Something Beautiful and True
I found myself in too many restless, sleepless moments, for a long season during my journey to find rest in Spiritual Whitespace.
But, as I laid there, I found in that pit of darkness something beautiful and true.
I found I could remember goodness.
And it told me that it was in me once.
It told me that it had to still be in me now.
Even though I felt wounded.
I chose in that moment to believe that goodness was my faith, still breathing in me.
The fact that I longed for goodness and hungered for it told me that nothing — not even my woundedness — could destroy and rob me of those memories.
That Goodness had a name.
It was God’s Spirit, alive in me.
And that remembrance and longing for it was the movement of God’s fingers soothing my heart.
They were hands of Someone who understood how being wounded led Him to remember all that captured His heart. One dark day.
A Deeper Wounding
The darkest moments Jesus found Himself — as I think about Him this week — are found in three words — spoken after Pilate washed his hands, released Barabbas, and had Jesus flogged with a ‘cat of nine tails’.
It was a whip divided into several strips, each containing shards of broken pottery at their ends, enabling them to cut skin and tear flesh from bone. Most Roman prisoners didn’t live through these beatings due to shock and loss of blood. Third-century historian Eusebius described the process in grotesque detail by saying, ‘The sufferer’s veins were laid bare, and the very muscles, sinews, and bowels of the victim were open to exposure.”
Jesus somehow although crippled by such physical torture survived — and had to endure even a deeper wounding.
I was drawn to this moment made up of three words found at the close of this scene.
…Then he released Barabbas to them.
But he had Jesus flogged,
and handed him over to be crucified.”
Matt. 24:26
handed. him. over.
Jesus was handed over.
I can hear Jesus crying, not out of fear, but out of physical — and emotional pain.
He was abandoned. Completely given up by everyone.
Make A Way
Life for Jesus would never be without the scars of betrayal. His story could never be untainted by betrayal, loneliness and rejection.
But, Jesus choose it all because behind the brokenness, Jesus carried the memory of why He was willing to live this story that was unravelling in a very bad way.
Jesus carried live, beautiful memories —
of how He made you and me in the secret place.
The warmth of our first breath caressing his heart.
He carried the sunshine of our smiles.
Jesus endured all the woundedness and devastation his body and his soul could carry.
Because in His woundedness, Jesus remembered you and me.
There is no place we can find ourselves, where Jesus will not go. Jesus gives us a home — with him. In us.
His love makes a way. God can make a way. For you.
Listen. God’s Words For Us
For every moment we wonder what lies ahead, Jesus’s tender voice reaches out to us —
I love you. I won’t leave you.
Lean in. I will make a way for you.
I am here. With you.
Even in our woundedness, Jesus still loves you. And me.
Passionately. Irrevocably.
Shamelessly. Undeniably completely.
When I realized life was never going to be the same for me again, I stopped wishing to be rescued.
I began to desperately pray for courage instead. To lean in. To move towards the longing I still carried of beauty. Of goodness.
That desire became my silent prayer to God.
Lean In
No matter how whisper-thin, imperfect or insignificant our movements forward might be, God will make away for us. Today.
No further than just the one step He’s calling you to take. Today.
As you move forward with just one step today, we surrender ourselves to the One who has been handed over — until His last breath made a way — to you and me.
You and I don’t ever have to be handed over and lost in the brokenness of life.
Jesus puts his hand in ours, to draw us towards Him. So He can carry us. All the way.
God can make a way to us. With us.
No matter where the journey of life takes us, we become the living stories of what it means to be cherished and beloved by Jesus.
Don’t let anyone or the hardness of the journey convince you otherwise.
Life will never be the same. Let’s follow this journey through.
Lean in. Be you. Be the Beloved.
Pray. Our #OneWordLent Prayer Today
Lord Jesus,
Give me courage to lean in.
To take just the one step you’re inviting me to take. Today.
To trust you’ll make a roadway in the wilderness.
Even rivers in the desert.
Even though I can’t see how or when, I surrender myself to your love.
In this very moment. Today.
What’s Your One Word?
Take a moment to be present in this moment. What is one word that speaks to you in today’s verse?
“See, I am doing something new.
Now it springs forth. Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness.
Rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19
~~~~~
What is one thing God is inviting you to step into today with Him?
What one word in today’s scripture speaks to you?
Pull up a chair. Click to comment. Rest awhile.
* Who can you share today’s encouragement with?
For more encouragement, get a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.
Special 7 Week Lent Series || The Journey
#OneWordCoffee Link Up
Soul Writing With Jesus — Together
This new #OneWordCoffee Wednesday series inspires us to create space in a simple way, to be present, hear God’s whispers, to be refreshed & renewed. ?
Every Wednesday, I’ll invite you to stop, pause, & reflect on a One Word prompt.
Share how One Word speaks to you: 1. Simply post a comment (or) 2. Write a blog post, link up on Wednesdays. Visit the post before yours to comment and encourage. Please use the #OneWordCoffee badge in your post(click here) & link back (or) 3. Tag photos #OneWordCoffee on Facebook or Instagram inspired by your one word.
#OneWordCoffee ☕️ A simple invitation to create a new rhythm for your soul. To stop and hear God’s whispers. And swap some stories together.
Next week’s 3/9/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: any word that speaks to you during Lent. Optional prompt: wounded
Today’s 3/16/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: any word that speaks to you this week during Lent. Optional prompt: brokenness
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34 Comments
God is my help! I sat and wrote for the first time in firever thus week.
so sweet to know your words can flow from your heart this week, katie. xo enjoying today’s #OneWordCoffee with you.
“See” In the wilderness and desert of my life I pray that God would open my eyes to see what He is doing. To see the possibility and not the obstacle before me. I too have been trying to reconnect with the person I once was but maybe Jesus wants me to let that person go and as you sàid to ” lean in” and let Him do something new. Thank-you Bonnie for those words of encouragement.
hi kimberly, i love how your heart is leaning in, opening up to His whispers for you. as you ponder “maybe Jesus wants me to let that person go… and let him do something new.” may you feel the kinship of His words for you and the kinship of being on this journey together. thnx for taking time to enjoy #OneWordCoffee and sharing.
Surrender myself to God’s love is what speaks to me. With my past abuse and rejections, it’s hard to believe anyone could love me. I prayed the prayer you wrote and it was very beautiful and healing.
Thank you,
Karen
sweet karen, surrendering is beautiful and hard — and you are worth every desire to surrender to the One who calls you His, who loves you wholly, irrevocably, relentlessly yours. You are beautiful in every way. may the #OneWord prayer that became yours this morning continue to draw you tenderly to His love for you today.
Bonnie,
I love your beautiful words in this prayer for courage. What a gift you give us with your words to ponder during this season of Lent — pointing us all to God and showing us the way back to his love and joy and peace. So grateful for you!
good morning, Valerie. how sweet it is to awake and find a note from my beautiful friend, as we reflect on Jesus this season of Lent. grateful for you. xo have a beautiful day, as you are beautiful in every way.
Bonnie, a good morning to you and to all who are also posting comments today. The devotional was so beautiful and it helped to remind me of all that God is and can be and what was accomplished through Jesus Christ. The one word that came to mind as I read the scripture for today was ”Goodness” and it made me think how God is good and would never steer us wrong along our journey through life. Another word that came to mind was ”Loving” and how God shows us the many ways He loves us. There are many moments where we can ask God to let us feel His love in ourselves and rest in His blessed assurance.
Thank you, Bonnie. Today’s post immediately caught my eye. Isaiah 43:19 is one of my favorite scriptures and there have been several difficult seasons in my life that I have clung to this verse and the hopeful message it conveys. Even better is the fact that during those times of life when things are going along pretty well, seeing this verse immediately brings to my mind those times in the past when all seemed hard and hopeless and yet, ultimately, God did make a way. Beautiful, beautiful reminder.
Therefore, the one word that speaks to me from this verse is “aware.” Life today runs at such a hectic pace and when that pace is compounded by pain, fear, or adversity it is so easy for Jesus to disappear from our sight, our eyes blurred by desperation. Yet, throughout the scriptures, God is constantly reminding us to be “aware.” He is here, He is near…..always. He never leaves us. As you reminded us today, Jesus took on the ultimate “alone-ness” of Calvary so that we would never have to feel that way again. Yet, ironically, it is only when we take the time to pull away and be alone (as you write about so eloquently)that we can truly be “aware” of the One who never leaves us alone.
[…] post is linked to Bonnie Gray at Faith Barista for her #onewordcoffee for […]
You always have me digging deeper, Bonnie. Thank you so much for this post and the opportunity to link up. <3
“Something happens when you find yourself lying on your bed unable to fall asleep.” I too have been in that place lately. And its so good to hear your words today! Being so new to this world of blogging, I have been terrified to add my little posts to your link-ups! But you have encouraged me to share my story as well, and know that JESUS is at work making the OLD places NEW. Thank you for sharing your heart of encouragement here!
For me, the thing that stood out today in that wonderful scripture is the “I”. *I* am doing something new. *I* will make a roadway. Not me. Him.
When (like now) my life feels like it’s changing, moving forward, it’s because he is working, moving; in the face of things that seem impossible to me, I don’t have to force anything, or bear the whole weight of it myself. I just have to respond to his invitation to join him in the small part I can play in his bigger picture.
Thank you so much for your words and your encouragement, Bonnie!
Such comforting words, today. The presence of Jesus is palpable more so as Easter approaches than any other time of the year for me. He seems to rescue me from my crippling and darkening doubt every spring, with His glorious resurrection. It’s like a piece of my soul is lifted up with Him each year. Love this post.
Happy Wednesday!
Megs
“Handed over”…Yes, that resonates painfully–that’s what I felt especially 2 years ago when the community you felt should have been your refuge became Job’s friends and ‘handed’ us over to the hostile winds that blew. Abject abandonment. Then when you said how your heart longed for that sweet connection you once had, that core of you. Yes, I resonate. God gave me a glimpse of that recently and what a precious time it was. I wish it could have lasted. I tried to make it last. But winter always takes its toll and circumstances pour on while you are trying to filter the first one through Him. And then you feel overwhelmed and the disconnect starts to happen again. But you are still left with that memory. And yes, the hope. It will come back. The retelling of the Easter story sometimes leaves it so matter of fact. Jesus doing the Father’s will, but not much of His humanity and what He went through emotionally. This post comforts me. Makes me want to lean in. To Him Who understands. Thank you, Bonnie.
rivers
As a new believer I would pray to be rescued, crying out for different circumstances, changes in people around me… the Lord lovingly worked on my own heart in these times and revealed the work He wanted to do in me.. after wrestling in prayer, I would come to a place of surrender and faith.. My prayer would change to seeking contentment, courage, grace and strength and I would stop complaining, fearing and doubting.. I would be brought to faith and His peace would abound… With each new trial this life brings, the way is clearer, the roadway well marked and the rivers are flowing as I abide in Him… Today, my mom begins chemo again, as her cancer has shown up in her lymph nodes.. I walk with her through this journey, knowing that the Lord will flow rivers of living water through me, as I minister to her and love her…
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’””John 7:37-38
Janet, lifting you and your Mum up in prayer right now. My Mum passed away from cancer less than two years ago at 59 years of age, but God’s Presence was so incredibly palpable throughout her illness.
Father God, reveal yourself afresh to Janet and her Mum. Let them witness Your Presence in a powerful way, as they lean into Your Comfort, Your Peace, Your Strength and Your Hope. Bless them abundantly and let their surrendered lives give Glory to your Name.
Amen! Thank you Anna ❤️
Make is my #onewordcoffee this week. It reminds me of the song – God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. It even mentions “By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me. And rivers in the desert will I see.” Making a way for me means I must submit and trust Him completely in everything.
For me it is trust in the wilderness where I am so out of my comfort zone. That is scary to be out there.
“When I realized life was never going to be the same for me again, I stopped wishing to be rescued.” GIRL, i struggle with that. i’ve been on this (chronic illness) journey for six years now, & it’s a regular battle to lean in instead of want OUT. just keepin’ it real. 😉
yet even in the temper tantrums of my soul, He continues to bestow grace, truth, & healing i never knew i needed.
He is definitely doing a new thing. and even though soul healing can be a painful process, there’s no denying how sweet that river water tastes despite the weariness of the desert heat.
always a pleasure to stop by here, bonnie.
blessings to you & yours,
tanya
Thank you, Bonnie, for this deep insight into Jesus’ suffering for us. Though my heart cringed and my stomach roiled when reading the description of what the whipping with the cat of nine tails can do, it reminded me of how very deep Jesus suffered. I have sometimes reflected on Isaiah 52:14, and I just can’t fathom it – “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him — His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form marred beyond human likeness–” There are just no words… What amazing love for Him to suffer for us. Alone. Forsaken. Not rescued. Thank you for giving me pause to reflect in this Lent season. Blessings and hugs to you!
Handed over, for many years felt rejected and abandoned by the ones who should have loved me the most. But Jesus went through it all for you and for me. He will never leave us or forsake us. Thanks so much Bonnie for remind us our Saviour´s love. You are such and inspiration. God bless you and everyone here!
[…] post was written for Bonnie Gray’s #OneWordLent […]
Wilderness. I constantly feel as I’m climbing over brush and under vines. The funny thing is that the wilderness is beautiful, but challenging just like this walk with Jesus.
What a beautiful picture this paints of our Father’s pursuant chesed Love. I can even feel this aching longing in your heart through your words here. It really is an aching longing for Him that He has placed in each one of us: His beloved children. A longing that He can’t wait to fill, more and more as we lean into Him, in and through the pain, fear and grief that He leads us through. We are so incredibly blessed to be given such beautiful glimpses into your journey of leaning in. Thank you for encouraging us so faithfully.
“aware” “Will you not be aware of it?” This has been a favourite verse of mine during times of darkness and storm. Yet, I don’t know that I have really understood my part in the Lord’s covenant promise. I’ve always focused on the Lord’s promise to me. I needed to at the time. Life has changed now. There is much healing and for that I am grateful but the scars have left me with PTSD. I am changed forever. As I’m dealing with an episode right now, your words bring comfort and direction. It’s so easy to slip into the past during these times, to be consumed by memories. However, God is building a way forward and my part is to lift up my eyes and become aware of it. To become aware of and embrace God’s goodness to me in the land of the living. To become aware and take the next step forward. To lean on God’s courage and comfort for me. I don’t do this myself and I don’t have to walk alone.
I can relate, Angela. I am a victim of PTSD after a family trauma. It has left many scars and brokeness. It has changed me. The healing is very slow, but the Lord has been faithful to send a fine doctor and others who are helping. People that get me and don’t try to fix me, but show me a way to healing. It encouraged me to read your reply and I pray that you will be healed. But for now, it is ok to be wounded, be gentle with your brokeness and allow Jesus to hold you each step forward.
I feel like my one word for this week is actually 2 words. 😉
‘Finish Strong’. I started my first ever women’s bible study last month and really connected with the ladies in my group. By the end of the study, they are now my kindreds. I spent the last week with family mourning the loss of my grandma and missed last week. Yesterday was the last night of the study and while I really wanted to be there I struggled ok, no, I wrestled with the idea that I should just stay home. As I drove home from work, I kept hearing that still small voice “Finish strong!” I listened and I’m so glad I went. I’m looking forward to the next study coming this spring and feel like my roots are being watered and I’m growing so much more now than ever. 🙂
I love it Bonnie, how you say to “lean on God”. I’m so very thankful that He is there for us to lean on to protect us from life’s storms and those moments when we feel like we can’t even put one foot in front of the other… 🙂
((((HUGS))))
Streams in the Desert had been on my heart this week, so this very much the same! I loved especially this part:
“Jesus carried live, beautiful memories —
of how He made you and me in the secret place.”
Such a beautiful picture in the midst of the grotesque reality he was facing. Thanks for pouring out such encouragement Bonnie. The deep things you share have a special place in my heart because I have flt some of these things as well, even some I admit, are more recent. So nice to now other sisters in Christ are there for support and to speak Life.
“New”
God is always working in my life. And if I pay close attention he is teaching me something, “new”.
I love those moments when I connect the “God dots”. It so exciting to see how he cares for each of us, down to all the details of our lives.
I’m thinking: Even as we hold onto HOPE for the future, we must also stay grounded in today–in God’s love, faithfulness, and presence now, no matter what we may be facing. Days spent wishing for rescue or resolutions is counterproductive. With you, Bonnie, I pray for courage–courage to surrender on this day, in this moment, to take the next step with faith. Thank you for a thought-provoking post!
Bonnie, you are able to put into words the unspoken but felt thoughts and yearnings and cries of my heart. You opened up Jesus’ suffering in a new way today. A way that goes to deeper places in me that I couldn’t express before. And I am so grateful to be able to access these deeper places where I can know Jesus. They are always there, waiting. Thank you for sharing yourself so I can know myself and thus know Jesus more intimately. You are a gift my sister!
Joannie