Together

Martha's Vineyard 2010

The army of the Lord stands in
worship to their Creator.
The army of the Lord stands in
prayer.
The army of the Lord stands not in
their own power, not in their own strength.
The army of the Lord calls out
to their Savior for rescue.
Catching the grace they need
to do the battle.
Catching the peace they need
to see the hope.

I wrote this poem a few weeks ago during worship at church.  Sometimes it is hard for me to know that the body of Christ is an essential and meaningful part of growing and knowing Jesus more. I know that it is easy for me to get caught up in the imperfections and the ways we hurt each other and just want to retreat from it all. that day in worship God really placed this image before me as I sat and everyone else was standing around me. In that moment I was so weak and fragile, feeling the hurt and the lies of the past, alongside the hurt from the world around me. In that moment I felt as though my eyes were momentarily opened to how the body of Christ is meant to function. I felt as though I saw others standing up and moving forward for those who needed rest. Bringing those who were wounded up to safety. Reaching out to Jesus for help and rejuvenation to continue forward.

I so often get caught up in all that is going on in the moment that I cannot see Jesus calling me towards Him. I get caught in fear and anger trying to protect myself, and make sense of it on my own. I think this photo captures a bit of the fog rolling away to see Jesus providing in that moment as well. As is push through to healing and the safety God has provided I try to remember this and look back when I am scared out of my mind to let someone in. Or when I move forward to even do simple things against the norm what I feel called to do; kneel or sit when everyone is standing, not hold back the tears, work in my art journal in stead of taking sermon notes, etc. It is so easy for me to get caught back into conformity and not move forward into the uncomfortabilty of freedom!

Romans 12:4-5