hiding in honesty

how long must i pray, must i pray to you?
how long must i wait, must i wait for you?
how long til i see your face, see you shining through?
i'm on my knees, begging you to notice me.
i'm on my knees, father will you turn to me?

one tear in the driving rain, one voice in a sea of pain
could the maker of the stars hear the sound of my breaking heart?
one light, that's all i am. right now i can barely stand.
if you're everything you say you are.
won't you come close and hold my heart. ♥

---tenth avenue north.

stand up. speak up.

"Seeking justice and
respecting the image of God
in everyone requires
knowing when to speak up &
when to gracefully stay silent."
-Julie Clawson, Everyday Justice

a revolutionary idea.
because we are not only called to love
those who are in need of justice
somewhere far, far away
in a distance third-world nation.
we are also called to love even those around us:
the privileged, the comfortable, the ones who have.

What makes us think that
God will send us to love the people
in dire situations of Cambodia,
when we can't even love the people
in stressful situations around us?

"you will experience greater things than these."

walking on water is my task.
trusting in Jesus is my purpose.
the winds of my failures
and the waves of my imperfection
are my distractions.
this world storms around me.
but Jesus always remains constant.
He says, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
and holds out His hands
to catch us when we think we're sinking.
He says, "You of little faith,
Why did you doubt?"
because with Jesus, we can walk on water.
and if
walking on water is my task.
and trusting in Jesus is my purpose
then even the winds of my failures
and the waves of my imperfections
cannot distract me.
and though this world storms around me.
one thing remains constant ---
i can always walk on water,
in Jesus' name.

Amen.