This was written last year about this time, and I was surprised to see that it fits right in with my One Word, RENEW, for this year. Last year's word was "REST". God was preparing me for a lot of things by teaching me to REST in Him, and this year He is continuing that process by helping me to become renewed day by day. Sometimes I have to go back and see where He was leading me last year to help me understand better where I am going today...so here is a "renewed" message from the past that I hope will be a blessing to you as well:
Original Post written 1/5/2017:
"Therefore we do not lose heart.
Even though our outward man is perishing,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
2 Corinthians 4:16
How can I make this happen?
Think about your electronic devices...your phone in particular...something that everyone seems to becoming more and more dependent upon for just about everything and anything...from appointments to travel directions, shopping, bill paying, all communication...think what happens when you forget to recharge your phone...it dies, shuts off, becomes useless until recharged. So, what do you do religiously every day? Yes, you plug it in to recharge...you set aside a special place in your home or car or wherever you are...and make sure that the phone(s) all get recharged or you know you won't be able to function.
And so it is and should be with our inner person, our soul and mind and spirit...if we don't stay plugged in, recharged, renewed daily by a steady diet of communing with God, we will soon find ourselves unable to function. As I yield my heart and mind to Christ each day...as I allow myself to REST in Him, by setting aside time and space specifically for this purpose each day, I am being renewed, restored...recharged for service.
That is why I believe God is encouraging me (maybe even pushing me) to set aside this special place for daily recharging...you've already heard me talking about it for the past few days..."The Secret Garden". A quiet place away from the distractions of the world, the things going on inside the house, the TV, the Computer, the news, the housework...a place where I can "plug in" and meditate upon God's Word, allowing His Holy Spirit to recharge my spirit as I relax and revive, surrounded by the beauty of His creation.
Now don't get me wrong...I can still commune with God and meditate on His Word in my recliner in my living room, or in the rocking chair on the front porch or in the dining room or sitting on my bed in the bedroom...or standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes...I don't HAVE to have a "Secret Garden" to do this...but for some reason it just seems like this is what I am supposed to do right now...and even the thought of creating this lovely space has energized me in a way that I've not experienced in a while.
Perhaps God just knew that I needed an extra push to get serious about communing with Him...and that I also needed to truly learn how to REST in Him. Whatever the reason...I am grateful to the Lord for taking the time to teach me and show me His abiding love and grace.
I wonder if you may also be feeling the need to be recharged, renewed, restored in your relationship with God? You don't have to have a Secret Garden to do this...but I would recommend that you find a place that is special for you...a quiet place free from distractions of the world...and get plugged in to the Lord.
Some recommended reading about meditating on Jesus and preparing a secret place to do so is a little book I am currently reading by one of my new Facebook friends: Live Free ~ The Inner Journey to Healing by Gayle Belanger. You can also learn more about Gayle's "Live Free Healing Ministry" at http://www.livefreeministry.org/.
Pamela, I can see why you referenced this after my FB post this morning. So true!! I am so excited for you and your secret garden! Perhaps I'll find a place to commune in our new location. Right now my morning prayers are in the kitchen before I head out to work and Joe is still in bed. I can't wait to see your secret place when you have it all prepared!
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri! yes, I know all too well what it is like to be going to work, trying to plan a move, etc., and then trying to squeak in some time alone with the Lord...When I was still working I communed with God mostly in the car on my way to and from work, as I had a long commute, and not much traffic for most of the way...and the Joy FM radio Morning Cruise kept me "in tune" with the Lord. I miss that now...so I have to do something... I will keep praying for you as you go through these busy days ahead. Just remember you are not alone!
DeletePam,
ReplyDeleteIt certainly sounds like Lord is directing you to create your secret garden and rest in Him there. When we abide in Him we can face things that we wouldn't be able to face otherwise. I look forward to hearing about your experiences in recharging your batteries (spiritual and otherwise).
Blessings!
Blessings!
I remember this post from last year. I love your little garden, your meeting place ... I so wish I could have something like that, but it won't work here. For the past 14 years, my chair upstairs by the window has been my meeting place and it is special to me. In our old house, we had a glass room so that my indoor was surrounded by the outdoor and it was possible to look up at the sky. And here, I can look out at the wide open heavens. The most important thing, as you said, is to meet with Him and recharge.
ReplyDeleteYes, Pamela, we can "plug-in" to God anywhere and at any time, but it is so important to have a special place where we can get away from distractions and simply rest in Him as He renews us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Pam, I love your imagery here about "plugging" into the Lord each day to be renewed/recharged to function fully. When we plug into the correct "power source" we are able to function and be the person God desires us to be and to do what He desires us to do.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
This is a very powerful devotion dear Pamela! How true it is that we must spend time with the Lord recharging with His spirit. And having a special place to go where you know that you can just sit and rest and think upon the Lord is a marvelous idea! I have a special place in my home, it is my rocking chair, and it is a special place where I can commune with the Lord. I also love walking outside and praying and talking and worshiping the Lord as I walk. Walking perhaps brings the most precious time with the Lord to me, as I look up into the skies, and just feel His presence around about me. How wonderful that the word the Lord gave you this year is renew, after rest from last year, and I pray that this year is full of recharging and renewing in the presence of the Lord ! Hugs to you today dear friend!
ReplyDeletePam, I think we all need times of refueling, recharging and regrouping. Love the post. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDelete