The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
October 2011
God chose to love you because He made you for that sole purpose. You were not meant to suffer and lose hope in this world. You were made to be a shining testimony of His great perfect love, and unfailing care. You were put here to win, beloved. God made you to take care of you.
The God who made a giant-killer out of David stands ready to make one out of you.
I know that You know what I’m feeling and thinking right now, and I’m sorry for being weak. God, there are times that I get carried away by what I see and feel, and start to worry. “Where will I go from here? What if everything goes wrong and I fail?”
When these thoughts start invading my heart and seem to start taking over my life, lift up my face, oh Dad. Wipe these tears and stupid emotions away and remind me that I am your beloved child. That you love me despite of who I am, my insecurities, hurts and fears. That you can turn my life around and lift me up from the place I’ve fallen. Stay with me, Dad. Embrace me in your arms and never let me go. I love you, and without you, I am weak. I need you, Father.
Dear God,
I am tired of being hurt. I am tired of being put to shame. I am tired of carrying around a broken heart. I am tired of hearing people saying how stupid, pathetic, worthless, and useless I am— I am absolutely tired of all the painful words they throw at me. I am tired of being told that everything I do is all in vain.
I am tired of my fragile heart, and now I’m offering it to You.
Dad, teach me how to turn a deaf ear to all the jeers, lies, and taunts I hear. Teach this heart to turn directly to You, not anyone else, for comfort and strength. Many times you have proved that it’s You I can only lean on during storms. It’s Your shoulder I can cry on. I can tell you everything without you looking at me in disgust, reproach, or disappointment. I know all these because You alone can understand Dad.
Change me, Lord. Change me that I may bear Your armor as I face the world and all the evil that lies in it. I want to be your missionary in this place.
“I think the object that symbolizes my personality is a LAMP. Well, what is the purpose of a lamp? It’s purpose is to give light. However, notice that the lamp I drew has no fire in it. Without fire, without light, the lamp has no purpose. It is useless. It’s nothing but a mere decoration. Like this lamp, I can’t give my own light. I need God, because He is my light. He is my Source. He is my everything. Without Him, I am useless. I am worthless. I am like a living dead. God is my light. I am nothing but a mere lamp, but because of Him, I am able to stand here in front of you to tell you how good He is. With Him, I find my purpose.”
—
Hannah Aldea
(This was during our Values period, when the teacher asked us to draw an object that best describes us. I was really moved by my dear friend’s message.)
“I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical … the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.”
—Max Lucado
Even if you fail, or get carried away by your emotions and slip, don't be afraid to stand up again. God is patient with you. He loves you.
