Remembrance & Longing

.

My heart is drawn out to You

amazing Giver of amazing grace.

As the thunder rolls and rain pours down upon the world outside my window

I recall the merciless tempest that engulfed my life years ago.

And I gratefully remember that season of comfort

when I passed through that awful Red Sea by a way I did not expect.

I rejoiced in what I could not have conceived,

an unthought-of Passage

that delivered me from my despairing of life.

When I was lost upon the storm tossed seas,

a speck within a whirl,

I know.

It wasn't a life ring that You tossed to my aid,

although this is what man's pride fools him into thinking is humility, to acknowledge this much.

It wasn't a word that stilled the storm in a second

as had been done on the waters at Galilee.

How I would have preferred that course!

No, these things would not do

for one already dead on the ocean floor.

There is nothing less needful but

to be raised from death to life

amidst the roaring waters, foam and thunder.

Where is your sting, oh death?

Your victory, oh grave?

In the midst of your rage and power, one is plucked from your grasp,

like a forgotten pearl from a buried treasure,

sunken into the miry grave of blue and black below.

Plucked, grasped, held tight

and gloriously lifted

to the Light of light above

to be purified and polished,

reflecting the face of the One who holds it tenderly in His nail scarred hands.

Oh, there are not drops of water enough in the ocean

to fill the depth of my gratitude,

my Redeemer and Treasure!

For You, oh Lord God, are my divine treasury

where all fullness dwells,

my life, hope, joy, peace, glory, end.

May I be daily more and more conformed to Your likeness,

each facet of my being displaying Your beauty.

May the eyes of my eyes daily strain to see

that the troubles and tempests of this world

in Your hand

only fashion me more fitly

to bring You glory and honor

and joy

as a more beautiful jewel in Your holy crown.

How I long to be made fit for Your enjoyments and employments

in the Heaven that I eagerly anticipate;

all of its wonders, triumphs and things unimaginable.

In the now, whatever storm may befall,

I am not afraid to look the king of terrors in the face.

For I know

I shall be drawn, not driven, out of this world.

And to a glorious next.

Until then, as many days as are given to me,

may I continually glow, shine and burn out for You.

And when that last, great change shall come

let me awake in Your likeness,

my hope secured,

leaving behind me an example, a path, a life that speaks of the Way through the waters,

While my spirit rejoices in Heaven,

may my memory be blessed upon earth

by others who follow after,

upon the Path provided through many dangers, toils and snares.

May they realize that You long to remake them into Your crown jewels,

precious and set apart,

being prepared

for the glories of Your amazing grace.

.