25 April 2011

Quiet Reflection, a time of Restoration


Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
- Psalm 139:23

Yesterday was a day of celebrating our Risen Christ. Hallelujah!

Today, I find myself asking the question, “Donna, have you really un-wrapped the gift of salvation or are you still just playing with the wrapping?”

As I write this post, I am sitting here in a quietness that is both peace-filled and unexpected. This “quiet time” is more about being in the presence of God, than the absence of sound. Sometimes God draws us to a quiet place and time to speak to us. Other times it may be God inviting us in to a conversation (through prayer). And sometimes the quiet time is a need for personal reflection... this is one of those times.... a reflective quietness.

I believe this time of reflection was prompted by the Easter sermon I heard. It was a message about Restoration, based on the words of Psalm 139, which contain some of my favorite verses in the Bible. The fact that God has searched me and knows me (vs. 1), that He created me (vs. 13) and that I am beautifully and wonderfully made (vs. 14), reminds me that He knows all of my faults and everything I was created to be. He knows my pains, my troubles, my dreams and my joys.

You see, I have learned that God wants to restore me, but first I had to be bought, and the price He paid to redeem me is more than I can begin to comprehend.  Isaiah 44:22 tells us, “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Just as my Lenten season started with a time of self-reflection and prayer, I believe God has brought me full circle, to this time of reflective quietness. Sometimes quiet moments are needed for people to consciously reflect on relationships and other events in their lives. I have never doubted His gift of Salvation, but this Easter is different. I plan to embrace His restoration in me and make my daily prayer the words of Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
My hope is that you too have un-wrapped the gift of salvation!

Have a blessed week...
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

“I have engraved you on the palms of my hands,” says the Lord.
- Isaiah 49:16

2 comments:

Colin, Juanita, Ian, Brooke and Gavin said...

Unwrapping the gift right along side you GIRL! Blessings on your journey! May His peace fill your heart and bring you JOY beyond all JOY! Love ya!

Maxine said...

Donna!

Just wrote a blog on HIS inner sanctuary which I see you were referring to here! Loved it and Blessings on you girl!