More Than Just A Song

Ahhhhhhh, blessed assurance, the calm of one who has given careful and joyful reflection of God's work on his behalf.
Ahhhhhhh, blessed assurance, a place of serenity spoken of in the old hymn.
Ahhhhhhh, blessed assurance, a place where you realize fully that Jesus IS all that you need.

But wait, if you're anything like me, you've experienced those times in life when your journey to this place of tranquility is clouded along the way with cares and distractions. We become spent and exhausted . . . or at the very least unsure of where we are at the moment. We've allowed clouds to become hurdles in our lifelong climb upward to Zion . . . our very own Promised Land. Our vision can become obstructed and how often we miss opportunities we're given to simply rest along the way. These resting moments, which are meant to be plateaus in our journey, can provide a panoramic view of the landscape around us . . . a time in which we can catch our breath and wait upon the Lord. A time in which we can marvel that He has indeed led us up out of the deep canyons below and given us clear vision of the hope of our future. AWESOME!

I beleive that I am now on such a plateau. Initially I had no idea what was going on. Quickly I became uneasy about this unusual place of calm but as my surroundings became clear to me I began to consider that I've probably been in this place before and just never realized it. How blessed am I that the Lord, through His loving Word, directed me to see my way with new revelation and insight. As I was lead to Psalm 33, how blessed I was to see clearly that my God IS alive and working in my life. Through His Word, God provided fresh revelation of His presence as the Lamp unto my feet and the Light unto my path. Hallelujah!

I've learned that life on the plateau brings with it several things:
~ It allows you an opportunity to catch your breath.
~ It gives you a chance to give thanks for the trials and tests that have been used to bring you closer to Him.
~ It gives you a chance to rest in His presence - the calm place where you can clearly hear His whispers of love to you.
~ A place where you are able to enlarge your view of His power and grace, and through that process become even more intimate with Him.
~ A place of blessed assurance that is used to fortify you for the journey ahead - for before you can be strong enough to move on from there, growth must occur. You can't live on the plateau forever . . . you must, in His perfect timing, continue on the journey that will allow His purpose in your life to be fulfilled.

Initially I was 'fearful' as I wondered what catastrophe could be coming my way in the future. What in the world does God have planned for me that may present overwhelming challenges in my life. But that's when I heard Him whisper to me . . . "remember My child, as I have written in Hebrews 13:5 Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you. I love you with an everlasting love that is exceedingly, abundantly more than you can ever ask for or imagine."

Simplicity at it's finest. After asking for His forgiveness of my narrow mindedness I realized that once AGAIN He was teaching me, as in months past, that I must TRUST Him. So, as I consider the bravery of one who, without hesitation, would say, "So what's the worst that could happen - for my God is with me", I rejoice in the blessed assurance that Jesus IS, in fact, all that I have ever needed - He is all that I need right at this very moment - AND He is all that that I will EVER need going into my future.

Thank You, Jesus, for being on this plateau with me. Draw me close to you, Lord, I pray for I am weak and helpless without you. Thank You, Jesus, for the blessed assurance that with You by my side I KNOW that all things are possible. Through my life may Your Glory be known, for I ask it now in Your powerful name, Jesus.
Father, may it be so.
Amen and amen.
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