A New Dawn
by Jim Person
When we come into our walk with the Lord we don’t realise what path we are to travel down. Our journey often has places of sorrow in it, but it also has great joys. When we are in the midst of sorrow all those times of joy seem to vanish, like a morning mist that vanishes from the rising sun. Yet God has a plan. He has a purpose. Trusting in Him to guide us through this difficult, sometimes seemingly unbearable life requires a tenacity of faith. Despair can sometimes grip our hearts like a tiger gripping its prey in its jaw. When we’re in that place it appears that there’s no hope, no light, only darkness and hopelessness.
Then, when we are in the lowest place, He comes. Shining His light of love and hope into that place of darkness. As we sense this light shine upon us we lift our eyes from that which has gripped us, and find a new day dawning. And there He is with outstretched arms, glowing face, and loving eyes. Those eyes are pools of fire, yet show love and compassion for our situation. Yes it’s Jesus, the only One who can lift our heads, the only One who can lift our hands that hang down, the only One who can breath hope into our despairing, labouring lungs that ache from the days of sobbing. He is capable. He is strong enough.
As we reach out and touch His fingers, strength flows through us, which enables us to stand and take the step towards those outstretched arms. Upon reaching them we feel His embrace engulfing us and the pain and turmoil begins to lift off our shoulders. This is healing; this is life. You may be experiencing a difficulty or hardship. Maybe you’re in a place of hopelessness today. Would you be willing to allow God into it?
It can be easy to allow the troubles of life to overwhelm us, but I encourage you to not give into despair, but to lift up your eyes and see the new dawn coming! Jesus is waiting with arms stretched out to you.
Prayer: Dear Father, help me! I’m in the depths of despair and need Your loving embrace to envelop me. Come and wrap Your loving arms around me and lift up my weary soul! Thank You for Your strength and compassion, Lord. Thank You for Your loving, empathetic embrace, and Lord, please give me the ability to stand up and step out into a new day! Amen.
Jim Person Jim grew up in Alaska and from a small child commercial fished every summer with his family. God called him, his wife Tanya, and their four children to move to Hungary as missionaries in 2003. God then led him to join Ellel Ministries in 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where he is now serving with the Ellel USA team. Jim and Tanya have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom. They also love mentoring the existing and developing Ellel teams wherever God leads them. Jim also has a real gift for working with the land to create a beautiful and welcoming environment.
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