Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Becoming Like Mary

Here are some late night ponderings from my heart back in February:


Where is Jesus in all this clutter? How can I hear Him amidst the constant noise? Even as I have been desperately trying to steady my gaze on Jesus, I still felt so scatter-brained when all I want to do is focus all my attention on God and what He wants to say to me. It becomes very easy to replace our actual relationship with our Father with the ins and outs of ministry...relying on what we know and how we're gifted to get us through each day instead of drawing from the deep well of the presence of the Lord offered to us with every new day, hand in hand with brand new mercies. Often times I feel like my heart is buried under so much clutter with task lists and deadlines coming out of my ears, all in the name of Jesus. But every day I neglect to quiet my heart and listen for His voice in the stillness, I have robbed myself of the greatest opportunity...far beyond what I could ever accomplish through e-mails or phone calls...the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus and be completely honest, completely understood, completely loved. I am learning and will continue to learn throughout my life that my tank empties quickly and after a few days of running around on auto-pilot, all I have left are fumes. Who needs fumes? Not me. Not the person next to me. I want to know what it means to walk by the Spirit at all times, and the only way I can operate in the Spirit and not my flesh is to find out what pleases Him, to find myself drawing from His presence every day. Lord, help me. To really know Him, not just know about Him. To have a sense of what He is doing all around me now, not relying on past experiences or encounters to get me by. They are now stale. Worthless. Smelly. What is most important? What is the thing that lasts, that cannot be taken from us? Mary knew. She sat at the feet of Jesus and hung on His every word. How she loved Him. Not because of what He could do for her or the miracles He could work in her life. No, she loved Him because He was life to her. Just being where He was was enough. Is that so for us? Am I content to sit quietly before the Lord for however long, asking nothing of Him but that He would make Himself known and come a little closer? Or is He just a means to an end for my ministry or my career or my relationships or my...insert your own end here. God forbid. He is everything. And in a world that seems to often be spinning out of control with busyness and expectations and daily struggles, He is still here, calling and waiting, extending an invitation for us to come, and simply be where He is. In the presence of Almighty God. 


In the presence of Jehovah

God Almighty, Prince of Peace

Troubles vanish, hearts are mended

In the presence of the King



Luke 10:38-42

Psalm 27:4

Hebrews 12:1-3


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am currently on the road right now with Aaron Shust and Brandon Heath as part of the Whispered and Shouted tour, and can't wait to share some stories and pictures! They are coming soon, so keep checking back. And thank you for your patience!


10 comments:

mark said...

this is me, allot.
He tells me over and over to take the time to just hang out with Him, talk, listen.
over and over i get caught back up in my busyness and old routine.
and yet He's always there, loving me, waiting for me to stop, and sit with Him.

Kristi said...

very nice my friend. I think I recite the contents of this posting in my mind daily and still fail to execute the 'point' of it...thanks for the reminder and honesty. :)

Patience Leino said...

We heard your song on the radio today! Awesome job, Mere!

Tammy said...

Just got your new CD in the mail and it is wonderful!! My daughter and I enjoyed seeing/meeting you in concert in Minnesota. Thank you for your beautiful music and praise God for your beautiful voice!

BeckysueK said...

i miss your face.

Anonymous said...

I opened an advertisement for a local Christian bookstore, and there, as a featured artist, was my buddy, Meredith! I'm so proud of you and what the Lord is doing through you.
Charlton

herma mtz said...

Meredith I just bought your CD last night and it was amazing. I thanked God for you today....that he has given me the privledge to witness to the work he has done in you and to be able to hear your voice at church. Your music is encouraging and uplifting and has reminded me of how great God is. I'm thankful that He has put you in my path to be able to meet you and call you a friend. May God continue to use you and grow immensely in you. I love you sister. See ya at Harvest.

Irish Coffeehouse said...

Just stopping by to show some love for your song "You're Not Alone"! It's awe-some!

Congrats on your upcoming wedding! :) And many blessings to you and yours!

Greg said...

absolutely terrific album Meredith.. can't wait to purchase it..

Greg

Joshua said...

Hi~
I'm Joshua in Korea.
Today I've knew about you and your songs.
All things are good and wonderful to me.
I will praise God for your singing.
I want to sing your song, 'You're not alone' in my church and for my baby in my wife. So I need chord chart.
I had found that in internet, but I couldn't.
Could you send me that please?
Please...