SafetySuit: life left to go

There's something so familiar about this song. Maybe it's the depth of sadness and longing that permeates this song. From the melody to the lyrics there is an all too familiar melancholy that pulses. When I listen to it, the lyrics resonate with the deeply broken areas of my soul because I know what it feels like to be in a crowd of people and still feel alone and forgotten. No one deserves to be alone. "Sometimes the edge serves as more than a friend than you thought it would be. And the pages you write in your journal each night are your only release." Loneliness is so horrible because it goes against the very reason God created us: He created us for relationship, both with Him and with one another. We were created in love and for love. A love which can only be fully expressed and experience through relationships.

Lately, I have been inspired by Jason Ma who has been on this mission of 365 days of love. From my understanding he is being intentional about loving people everyday for 365 days. When I read about his exploits of love there's something within me that wants to be both the recipient of this love and the giver of this love. There is something so powerfully good and right about hearing a kind and compassionate word from a stranger or experiencing personally love in action. I feel like in these moments, Heaven literally kisses earth. Scripture says that we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). So, the more I experience God's love for me, the more I will be inspired to love others more richly, deeply and fully. "But there's no pain you feel that I know love can't heal, here at all." I believe this because I have experienced healing love first hand.

Every person has value because we have all been uniquely created by God in His image. So even though you may or may not know me, what I do know is that this world would dim a little without you in it. God has given all of us a voice and I hope and pray that you find yours. "I'm begging you no, there's more life left to go. I'm begging you please, cause I don't want you to leave." When you're feeling all alone in this world, this is my prayer for you: That God would bring people into your life to tell you, "I know you'll smile again." That God would bring someone special into your life who loves spending time with you because they love you for you. Even more, I pray that you would literally feel in the very depths of your being God's unconditional love for you. And that you would hear Him say to you: "I see you and I love you! And the failures you see don't seem failures to me here at all."

A Seeker's Return (chapters 27-29 of 29)

27. In the twilight of my years
          I will still long for Your Presence.
                  The sweet scent of Your love
                          will still make my pulse race.


      In the twilight of my years
          I will still long for Your Presence.
                  The tender flavor of Your Goodness
                          will still send me yearning for Righteousness.


      In the twilight of my years
          I will still long for Your Presence.
                  The gentleness of Your Kind Voice
                          will still ease the burdens of my day.


      In the twilight of my years
          I will still long for Your Presence.
                   The everlasting vision of Your Holiness
                          will still my pounding, excited heart.


      In the twilight of my years
          Your Presence will still fully satisfy,
                  ceaselessly quenching the thirst of my soul.


28. I love Your passion
      I love Your courage
      I love Your loving Holy Spirit
            and the way He loves me.


      I love Your patience
      I love Your kindness
      I love Your gentle Holy Spirit
            and the way He cares for me.


      I love Your compassion
      I love Your graciousness
      I love Your faithful Holy Spirit
            and the way He reassures me.


      I love Your humility
      I love Your justice
      I love Your peaceful Holy Spirit
            and the way He purifies me.


      I love Your goodness
      I love Your self-control
      I love Your joyful Holy Spirit
            and the way He understands me.


            I love You today
            as You loved me yesterday
            as we will love each other tomorrow.


29. Epilogue: In a luminous night sky with shooting stars racing across the heavenly realms, angels dance radiantly amongst the clouds in preparation for the triumphant return of the Son.

A Seeker's Return (chapters 24-26 of 29)

24. Big fat heavy droplets of rain fall from the heavens, threatening to wash away the guilt and sorrow that lines my earthen vessel. In a loving caress, intense electrical charges explode with grace, shocking my flesh into submission while an Angel of the Lord soars brightly along side of me rebuking tormenting evil, for Christ’s name sake. Softly staring at me with loving-kindness, unmoving yet full of life, vibrantly Eternal, You have fulfilled my deepest desire which is to be with You.

25. Kneeling in prayer, I uplift others who are lost in this evil, depraved world, hoping that all reach the peaceful sanctuary of the golden streets of Heaven, “Where God will live with man. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty the Lord will give drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and the Lord will be his God and he will be the Lord’s son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderous, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all the liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever (Rev. 21:3b, 4, 6, 7, 8; 22:3-5).

26. Your Word soothes my worrisome spirit as we approach the finish line of this race, reaffirming the convictions within my heart. Quietly, without reproach, a thunderous hum of vibrating angel wings fills the heavens, crescendo with the roaring cheers from the multitudes of Heavenly hosts as we cross over as one.

A transcending peace that knows no bounds overwhelms me. Without the sinful trappings of my fallen flesh You welcome me into Your rest. In my inheritance I am now to live as the sweet fragrance of Your goodness envelops me completely, refreshing and rejuvenating my soul for its final flight Heavenward. To completion You have carried me through, my Companion, my Counselor, my Friend. I am within Peace, as a powerful Arm lifts us home.

A Seeker's Return (chapters 20-23 of 29)

20. In repose, walking upon the shores of an evening sea, thoughts of You pressing on my heart relax me. Nightly I walk along this sandy stretch of beach towards a peaceful private alcove. I cherish the quiet personal moments that I spend with You there. I’ve come to anticipate with baited breath this time. You help me to release the frustrations of the day. The long walk ends with the sweet vision of You, waiting.

Welcoming me with open arms, I fall deeply into Your embrace. Your deep caresses soothe the burdens that weigh heavily upon my soul. Soft reassuring whispers warm my heart. From deep within my soul, a radiant glow wells up and begins to shine; with diligence it grows. Our bond of love is strengthening and growing with each encounter.

21. Awakened by Your gentle touch, I sit up with the warm rays of the sun beaming on me. With You by my side I am at peace. Together we walk along the paths of life openly talking of my struggles. Anxiously I share with You my moments of awakenings. Eagerly I admit my moments of doubt, knowing that I grow with each faltering step. Gently You speak to me in warm reassuring tones, easing my mind, setting my soul to rest in peaceful bliss where poetic hymns flow from musical lips making all who have ears to hear rejoice with a bold love, filling the air with childlike laughter and bringing tears to the ones with hearts like lions.

22. Kneeling before the Light of Righteousness, I am strengthened by Your radiant love; it fills me with hope. You beckon me to rise, but I dare not move a muscle for I am unworthy to be in Your Presence. Weighed down by self-inflicted guilt, Your love penetrates the fallacy, evaporating the fabricated mask of condemnation.

23. Together with the breaking of the dawn we contemplate the day’s trials. Standing in the morning sun, You steady my hand as we tend to all events, helping me along when I am weakened by my own futile efforts. The chiming of the bells echoes high noon to my worn spirit; Your gentle Hand holds my elbow, steadying me as I stumble. Wiping the beads of sweat that have formed on my brow, Your reassuring Presence eases the toils of the morning. Gently, You speak to me in warm tones, filling me with confidence. Refreshed and undaunted we stride to the next challenge, Your brilliance shining as opposing dark clouds roll on in. In renewal we stand as one before it all. Our blessed union heralds a masterpiece in the making. Together we are invincible, for You have already won.