Radiant - No Matter What the Circumstances

I've been reading through some of my journals today, looking for some words of encouragement for friends that are hurting. I just stumbled on a devotional calendar I put together almost 10 years ago. The entries are excerpts of a book I was writing in my journals titled, "Glimpses of a Sanctuary: A heart of serenity & prayer in a world of chaos". It's actually what I thought would become my first book, but the publishing opportunity hasn't come yet. God's timing for planting and fulfilling (or not fulfilling) dreams is such a funny thing sometimes.

Radiant - No Matter What the Circumstances

“Early on, Amy Carmichael seems to have learned a spiritual secret that caused her spirit to blaze even brighter in spite of the many difficult circumstances she faced” as a missionary in the darkest parts of China. (David Hazard, You Are My Hiding Place) I think she must have read God’s promise, “Those who look to him are radiant.” (Psalms 34:5) That’s the kind of woman I want to be. One who glows with a certain grace amidst chaos, calm amidst crisis and peace amidst despair. One who is radiant because she has spent so much quality time looking deep into the eyes of Her Father…the True Light.

That leaves me with “only one desire, and that is the desire for solitude--to disappear into God, to be submerged into His peace, to be lost in the secret of His face.” (Thomas Merton) Why? Because that’s the only way we can truly know God. To linger in His presence, to relish in His sweetness, to cling to Him in our pain.

Kay Arthur asks, “How important is it that you be alone with your heavenly Father? The difference between life and abundant life (John 10:10).” I choose abundant life - now Lord, show me what that means to find you in the middle of a busy house and a world that runs at break-neck speed!