A Weekend With Jesus

I went away to spend a weekend with Jesus, and he met me there.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39

Friday night I opened my heart and asked the Lord to fill me, and to teach me whatever I needed to know. He reminded me that his love is totally one-sided. It doesn’t change depending on my actions or feelings. It is there whether or not it is reciprocated. I can’t shake it, no matter how hard I try. Allowing myself to be saturated with that love brings a comfort, joy, and peace that is beyond all understanding.

I awoke Saturday morning to a refreshing shower. Clearing the dust, renewing and restoring. Just as my soul needed to be restored by the One who redeemed me and called me to this journey.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  
His mercies never cease.  
Great is his faithfulness; 
his mercies begin afresh each morning.  
I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; 
therefore I will hope in him!"
Lamentations 3:22-24

The Lord wants us to have joy, to have fun, to lighten up sometimes. He wants to walk with us hand in hand, smiling, laughing, enjoying each other’s company. I went outside Saturday evening and the wind was blowing through the trees. They were dancing and laughing, and I felt His warmth sink deep into my soul.

Sunday morning my word was “peace”. There was no wind, only the sound of birds saying hello to the day. It’s so amazing how there can be turmoil, heartache, business, breakthrough, excitement, laughter…and then it all comes back to peace. A new day to both start over, and to continue moving forward.

And this is God. He joins us in the hectic pace of our days. In the joys and the pain, in the victories and the trials, in our remembering and our forgetting. He is there through it all, whether we notice him or not. He gets lost in the shuffle, until we look around and realize we can’t see him. But when we stop and seek, He will always bring us back to peace, to belonging.

The Lord is my shepherd;
   I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
   he leads me beside peaceful streams.
   He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
   bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk 
   through the darkest valley, 
I will not be afraid,
   for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
   protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
   My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely you goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
   all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23

And so these are the things I pray for you, my friend. Love, refreshment, joy, laughter, and peace. Whatever you are lacking today, ask Jesus to give it to you. He delights in you, and loves to lavish you with what you need.