A Spring of Joy

As I have journeyed through the past three weeks of isolation, being in the Word, listening to sermons online, and music have been my life preservers, buoying my up when I thought I could no longer swim. I am filling my journals with prayers, with quotes, and with lessons learned. I am trying not to spend all our money on iTunes while I fill my library with songs that speak to my heart (that, and songs to make me laugh and dance. I’m working on my playlist for tomorrow when I will dance with my babies again.)

What would it look like for my soul (not just my mind, not my feelings, not my head) to cry out to God? What does it look like to be consumed with God? Totally eaten up and devoured by the beauty of our God who planned & sent, our Savior who died and redeemed, our Spirit who indwells and sanctifies.

How would my life be different if I lived in the grace of knowing that each stumble, each failing is covered by mercy and there is no need for guilt?

A thousand times I have failed. That is true, but the focus isn’t on the failings. Still your mercy remains. God will never fail us. He promised to cover our sins and throw them as far as the east is from the west. Where there is His mercy, no guilt remains.

How would my life look different if I really lived this truth? That He has ultimate control. I am in His hands and there I long to be. How would I live differently if I were completely consumed by God?

It sounds so radical, doesn’t it? To lose myself in bringing Him praise? To be completely consumed by God?

I don’t know what this looks like, but I know that I long for it. I long for it desperately.

I long to be changed From The Inside Out.

A thousand times I’ve failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I’m caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Chorus 2x
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out
(Hillsong United, 2006)

(The version I listen to is by Spring Harvest.)