Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season. My friend and I are doing the She Reads Truth Lent reading plan, and I highly recommend it to everyone. You can find day 1 here:
http://shereadstruth.com/2015/02/18/suppressing-alleluia/
I laughed upon reading this: “Lent is a pause button.” HA! As if my life wasn’t already a pause button! But now, through blogging and this Lent study, I feel like my “pause” is for a purpose. I’m learning words like “penitent” and “contrite” and praying those words shape my heart during this season. Learning more of where I fall short and how awesome His grace and mercy is.
This pause in my life was no surprise to Him.
Job 42:2
I know that You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted.
I know He is good. I know He is powerful. I know His strength is made perfect in my weakness. I know He sees the big picture. I know that His perfect love casts out all of my fear and doubts and anxiety. I know He is fighting for me. I know He is molding me and shaping me for the future He has prepared for me.
He wants to excite me. He wants to thrill me. He wants to take me on an adventure. He also wants to chisel away everything that does not look like Himself. However painful, humbling, or long it takes… “It’s frightening to be swimming in this strange sea, but I’d rather be here than on land.” (Out of my League by Stephen Speaks)
As Christy Nockels says, “Here’s my life, I give it to You. I place it in Your hands.”
Song for today
(given to me by my sweet friend Jenna)
Boldly I Approach by Rend Collective
By grace alone somehow I stand
Where even angels fear to tread
Invited by redeeming love
Before the throne of God above
He pulls me close with nail-scarred hands
Into His everlasting arms
When condemnation grips my heart
And Satan tempts me to despair
I hear the voice that scatters fear
The Great I Am the Lord is here
Oh praise the One who fights for me
And shields my soul eternally
Boldly I approach Your throne
Blameless now I’m running home
By Your blood I come
Welcomed as Your own
Into the arms of majesty
Behold the bright and risen Son
More beauty than this world has known
I’m face to face with Love Himself
His perfect spotless righteousness
A thousand years, a thousand tongues
Are not enough to sing His praise
Boldly I approach Your throne
Blameless now I’m running home
By Your blood I come
Welcomed as Your own
Into the arms of majesty
This is the art of celebration
Knowing we’re free from condemnation
Oh praise the One, praise the One
Who made an end to all my sin
Boldly I approach Your throne
Blameless now I’m running home
By Your blood I come
Welcomed as Your own
Into the arms of majesty
