Where I'm Heading Changes How I'm Walking

Thanks for the kind comments from so many of you, rejoicing with us over the progress described in Thursday's blog. Your support means a lot. And, every week I run into someone who says, "I'm not one to comment, but I really benefit from your blog." So, whether you feel led to comment or not is secondary. The main thing that blesses us is a sense of knowing that we are sharing this mysterious journey with so many of you.

As you know, I'm taking each Monday (at least for this season) to share with you a prayer--whether from the saints of old or one that has welled up in my heart. I didn't run across one from the saints that really struck me this week, so I sat down tonight to reflect on what was in my heart. Please don't evaluate this on the basis of good or bad poetry. It turned into poetic form as I pondered it, but my intent was to offer up a prayer. I know that the poetic form can aid some and distract others--hopefully you'll be able to see past the form if necessary and agree with the heart.

You see, I've found strength many days this last year by remembering that this phase of life is transitional. My life will not always be like it is now. Neither will yours. Whatever happens in this life, as a child of God, I have another life to look forward to. For this I am truly grateful, and again, strengthened.

Here's today's prayer:

One day the lion and lamb will nap together in the sun
While the wolf and puppy lap together from the same stream
And all shall be at peace, and all shall be well
For all shall be as one.

One day the color of our skin will no longer be an issue
Nor the name of our kin be used against or for us
And all will be equal, and all will be honored
For all will be made new.

One day we'll take deep breaths of your glory
One day we'll know the wide breadths of your love
And all will be joy, and all will bring life
For you have redeemed our story.

Today I travel the unpredictable path of this life
And experience the unavoidable wrath of this age
All is not well, and all is not smooth
For this world convulses with strife.

But today I set my heart on the world of tomorrow
While I choose to start with you this gift called "today"
For you walk with me, and I walk with you
And I watch you heal my sorrow.

Expectation of my existence beyond this day
Gives me the drive of persistence for this hour
For in you I trust, and in you I rest
As in your eternal name I pray.

Amen

Seeking to live with eternity in view,
John

Comments

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Absolutely and utterly, Amen. I am a fellow Christian sojourner in the altered reality called chronic illness. I have been devouring your archive, and find it a goldmine. God's gift through you to those of us out here is a huge blessing. Thank you for sharing it all with us. I relate to so much of what you have written. My journey began ten years ago, when I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, and Sjogren's Syndrome. I find it interesting that the thoughts you write about are the same things I have shared with my family and friends, and it leads me to speculate that there is a kind of "suffering continuim", that we are on, learning and growing, and changing...However we get here, once we are on this new journey, our perspective changes about so much. Our metamorphosis affects those around us God has given us to tend. God bless you and your family.

#1 Tana on 2010-03-15 01:59 (Reply)

Good morning John,

First comment is..."Amen"!

Second comment is...thanks for the reminder of this part of our life being transitional. Sometimes it is difficult to remember this and start letting life drag you down. I enjoyed using your prayer for my devotional this morning, as coming to this blog really helps start my day in a very positive and reflective way.

"For you walk with me and I walk with you" is the line that really hit me this morning. Thank you for this prayer.

Randall

#2 Randall Goree on 2010-03-15 07:48 (Reply)

Greetings to you John and others;

It is always refreshing to read prayer and truly understand the meaning behind it. Thank you for your faithfullness in your ongoing blogs, they do impact more people than you know.

The phrase "I watch you heal my sorrow" impacted me mostly because, in the mist of all that has happened to me and family, I forgot that it is HE who has it all planned out according to his will. This morning I look back in the my life these past eight months and am very awestruck just how much GOD has played in his role with my life. Oh, how I want to praise his name more and more.

Lately, a phase has been in my mind just before I fall asleep each night "Come, take a closer walk with me" and each morning, I feel absolute peace and joy that last throughout the day.

It is well with my soul!

Douglas

#3 Douglas Gardner on 2010-03-15 10:12 (Reply)

Amen, as well! I have been focusing on eternity too. Just over six years ago my Grandmother had an uncertain future. She was almost 80 years old and didn't know the Lord yet. Through an act of divine intervention, she accepted Jesus into her heart. Though her life had an unpredictable path for almost 80 years, she was able to set her heart on the existence of Eternity.
My grandmother went to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening(Mach 9, 2010). It was a divine journey into Eternity. My Grandmother, my Mom & I spent her last day by her bedside listening to a beautiful harp play for over 2 hours, praying together, reading Psalms and reassuring her that we would see her again soon. Around 8:00 p.m. we called her best friend(since junior high school) to speak to her one last time. My Grandmother's friend told her to go and prepare a place for her and she would be coming soon. A few minutes later, she had a tear drop from her eye and she took her final breath into Eternity.

I love the ending...
Expectation of my existence beyond this day
Gives me the drive of persistence for this hour
For in you I trust, and in you I rest
As in your eternal name I pray.

Thank you for sharing, John! You encouraged me today.
Hugs,
Cathi Z.

#4 Cathi Z. on 2010-03-15 14:34 (Reply)

John,

As I "train" three small kids, I learn a ton about "delayed gratification" or what a process of maturation it requires to work today toward a goal that won't be realized today. These are not issues for babies. These are for the more mature. I'm speaking of things like "Potty in the potty without an accident for five days in a row and you will earn that great big book about dogs that is under Mommy and Daddy's bed." My first potty trainee took the M&M's for nearly eight months, without any desire for the book about dogs (If you know what I mean . . . mess after mess after mess). Just lately, has the vision been caught for the long-term goal. It requires a different way of thinking. A new perspective. Seriously.

And isn't it interesting . . . the spiritual analogy is huge, I think. Journeying beyond "today" with the Lord requires a bit more maturity than just to pray "accomplish what concerns me today". Don't get me wrong. That is a huge prayer . . . to turn today over to the Lord every morning. But the prayers of the increasingly mature person, point our eyes and hearts to a place that is potentially a long way off. Maturity shows itself when we can, by faith, realize that today's "strife" and "wrath" will not ALWAYS be with us. That one of these "tomorrows" will be the day of utter victory. Somehow, I think, the losses of today . . . even as we watch them accumulate, gain interest, and tip the scales to what appears to be a very disadvantaged position . . . Somehow when we catch the vision expressed in your prayer today . . . Somehow . . . we deepen, we gain strength, we aren't defeated in one day or in a series of very difficult days all strung together because our faith grows ever deeper. We wait. We watch. And lo and behold, we begin to see the things we long for and we "welcome them from a distance". We begin to believe so entirely in the day that will right all wrongs, and set the scales aright, and obliterate today's wrath and strife . . . And all of this points us to the One who already knows the day and the hour.

Your prayer today pointed me to these things. Your prayer today pointed me to Him! Perhaps I'm the one who needs to be enticed by the book about dogs????????

The things I wrestle with today are temporary. The One who already won the battle for me is eternal. Therefore I am eternally secure.

Susan G.

#5 Anonymous on 2010-03-15 15:19 (Reply)

John,

As I read your prayer today I imagine what it will be like when lions and lambs are napping together. Maybe it's the farm girl in me, but that is the epitome of "no worries". As I read on I realized that while this isn't heaven, I still don't have to worry, I can give it all to God to begin with. I am pretty sure God doesn't want me to just lie down and nap (although that's appealing, some days) but I do like that giving Him my worries while I'm still here is an option. I just need to remember it sooner.
So, as I muddle through this transitional life, I am so glad I have a wonderful God to journey with me. I'm pretty grateful for the regular people I'm journeying with too

Thanks for that.

Dudster

#6 Annie Dudley on 2010-03-15 15:51 (Reply)

I do not comment very often, but I do check your blog almost every day.

Today's blog is going to go on the UGM Learning Center bulletin board.

I volunteer in the Learning Center three days a week and I have one bulletin board that is "all mine", so I have the privilege of putting what I want on it. Thank you for the beautiful prayer/poem!

Hal

#7 Hal Scheyer on 2010-03-15 16:05 (Reply)

Yes, John - it surely does help to keep heaven in mind when going through these earthly trials! Amen.

I just sent another children's book in to a publisher this past week. Now begins the long wait. One must have great patience in this business! So, John, have you sent anything to a publisher lately? I think you have the gift, the time and the patience to do that, if your heart leads you there. One thing that helps publishers take books seriously is if the author pursues getting things published in various magazines. That builds an audience for an author and equals bigger sales when the book comes out. God has given you a good ability to communicate in writing to those who suffer as you do. Go for it, John!

Sheri

#8 Sheri Schofield on 2010-03-15 19:10 (Reply)

A poem is like classical music, it helps to bring peace and tranquility to one's life.

Thanks John, a great poem......

#9 Clancy on 2010-03-15 20:28 (Reply)

Dear Pastor and Joanna...Thank you so very much!!!!
What a wonderful prayer!!!!

I'm so thankful for your progress (yea!!!) and His amazing grace I see in your lives!!

Love and Prayers,Linda Ayres

#10 Linda Ayres on 2010-03-16 02:11 (Reply)

Beautiful...just beautiful!

#11 Anonymous on 2010-03-16 20:17 (Reply)

Hi John, you reflected that "one day we'll see the depths of your glory." Amen to that. Scott's dad went home to be with Jesus Monday night. In the midst of the great sadness, it is the hope that we have in Christ which makes it bearable. Thanks for the words. AND, so grateful for the healing that God is bringing to your body. We keep praying for you and Joanna every morning.
Love you guys...

#12 Lori Golinghorst on 2010-03-17 19:13 (Reply)

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Monday, March 15. 2010

Where I'm Heading Changes How I'm Walking

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