09/28/2020
A river carries life-giving water to everything within its reach.
It cleanses.
It cools.
It smooths.
It hydrates.
It invigorates.
It enlivens.
In some places, it flows with an unassuming tranquility and beauty. Elsewhere it rages in thunderous magnificence and power.
Whether serene or tumultuous, everywhere it flows… it carves.
It etches its way through once unbroken surfaces exposing layers, textures, colors, and depths formerly concealed.
When observed without the context of its history, the expanding effect of its profound steadiness and patience is imperceptible. No one has ever sat and watched a canyon grow.
Yet the river continues on, engraving its way…
Moment by moment…
deeper and wider…
revealing anew the ever-present wonders previously hidden from view.
Christ offers US peace like a river. He gives us a disclaimer. His peace is different from the peace marketed by the world as “lack of struggle”.
The cleansing, the cooling, the smoothing…
The hydrating, the invigorating, the enlivening…
Once flat, the surface of the soul is broken by the unrelenting flow of the river.
The etching, the carving, the engraving…
The expanding, the opening, the deepening,
The exposing, the enlarging, the revealing…
THIS is the process… THIS is the relationship He invites us to enter into with HIM.
Grace by grace…
Deeper and wider…
The ever-steady, Living Water etches its way through the layers (some crustier than others😜 ) of the soul.
It reveals character, beauty, depth, and sanctity previously unrealized.
When observed without the context of its history, the expanding effect of Living Water’s steadiness and patience is almost imperceptible. Rarely has anyone sat and watched a soul expand.
Yet He continues on, engraving His way, smoothing the rough edges, hollowing out caverns, opening up sacred spaces, and expanding one’s capacity to RECEIVE.
God is working a masterpiece within you that has the potential to dwarf the Grand Canyon in majesty and beauty.
Yield to the enticings of Christ's Living Water.
Have confidence in the wisdom of His technique.
You are precious to Him.
You are engraven on the palms of His hands.
The only question that remains to be answered is…
Will you receive HIS engraving? …
Will you receive His image in YOUR countenance?
I have tasted of Christ’s “Peace Like A River” and it truly surpasses ALL understanding.
It is precious, wonderful, sacred, often painful, and at times brutal. It is worthwhile, and to me… a treasured experience and process that I hope to yield to eternally.
xoxo- Carey
