Freedom to run

It is good to be writing again. Though my hands were slowed by illness and fatigue, God has continued to renew and challenge my mind and my heart. When He says ". . .I know the plans I have for you. . ." in Jeremiah, I believe those "plans" include illness, fatigue, isolation, confinement, as well as the more obvious plans of career, children, marriage, location.

Psalm 119 has become my prayer book, my personal "cry to the Lord." I so long to have a passion for God's Word and His ways that the psalmist had. I was recently meditating on these verses "Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments [for you set my heart free]." Psalm 119:29-32 ESV

Put false ways (anything contrary to God and His Word) far from me. . .what false ways do I bring near to me that I need to "put far?" feelings of invisibility? lack of usefulness? discontent with illness or disability or restriction? I want to get rid of the false and only think God's thoughts about me. . .

. . .graciously teach me Your law. . . God is so patient! He goes over and over His truth with me until I get it! How quickly do I want to give up on others who "don't get it?" Am I willing to graciously share God's truth in the same fashion that He is gracious with me?

I have chosen the way of faithfulness. . .ah, here comes the matter of the will. Yes, I don't just stumble onto living God's way; I make a choice, and every choice I make has an impact.

I set your rules before me . . . keeping God's rules ever before me certainly helps me make right choices. When I'm not in God's Word and in communication with Him, it's easy for me to choose my own way, and forget Who is truly in charge of my life.

I cling to your testimonies . . . "stick like glue" is the word picture that comes to mind. Is God and His Word the first place I run when I need wisdom, comfort, discernment?

I will run in the way of your commandments . . .when you were a child did you love to run in the fields? I would run through the grape vineyard. The smells in the summer were grand, and there were delicious Thompson seedless as a reward when I tuckered out. However, it was foolish for me to run through the vineyard until I had laid out a path unobstructed by protruding roots and gopher holes. As long as I stayed on the path, I could lift my eyes to the sky and pretend I was flying. Staying on God's path of His Word allows us to run free, and enjoy this life He has graciously given. It's when we choose to leave the path that we risk tripping over roots of bitterness, and twisting ankles on holes of doubt and unbelief.

. . .when you set my heart free. . . I want my heart set free. Thank you, precious God, for setting my heart free from bitterness, unforgiveness, criticism, self-righteousness. Please continue to do Your grand work in my life!