Was up in the gorgeous rainforest of Manoa valley here in Oahu and took this picture of the most amazing tree...it was HUGE and had all these vines twisting and winding around the base and up into all the branches. (It reminded me of Jack's beanstalk!) Normally, these types of vines would choke the life out of a tree and kill it, but this particular tree, somehow, escaped death and kept reaching up to the sky, growing and spreading. The roots of the tree were HUGE as well...spread out over the trail and we literally had to climb over them to keep going. When I got home and saw this image, I got really excited and knew it had more significance than just being a good picture. Because I COULD RELATE to this tree. I felt such an affinity with this great tree that escaped death and kept on growing. As I looked at the vines wound all around the tree base, I couldn't help but think of the many things in my own life that have tried to "strangle" the life out of me. How my enemy satan has tried to bring me down and keep me from growing...to try and keep me from looking to God for the impossible...
For me, it's been about my health...what has felt to be the "impossible" due to my continuous battle with my digestion and eating that has kept me trapped in a body that has been sick all of my life. If I were to allow it, these "vines" of circumstances could choke the life out of me. But I want to tell you that it is UP TO ME, MY CHOICE, whether I'm going to let that happen or not. I really do have a say-so in the matter, and I say that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE thru Jesus who gives me strength...because HE SAY SO. Strength to keep stretching and looking up and setting my focus on Him and not on the vines around me.
Some days I can feel them tightening and to be honest, there are times where I literally feel like I can't take a full breath because the symptoms can be so relentless and overwhelming. But then there are days like today, where I get a reprieve...a day where it lifts enough that I can get out and focus on God and His B E A U T I F U L creation and I can feel them loosening their hold. These are the days that I hold onto...these are the times where I am SO thankful. And I know that each time I am thankful, each time I can say, "thank you God for this day, for this moment, where I can look beyond my circumstances and I'm walking with Him in the clouds...these are the times where those vines are loosening their grip...little by little, bit by bit.
I will win. And do you know why? Because the battle has already been won. I have already been set free. Whether I am behind bars in this life or not, whether I am in a body that just doesn't function optimally, I am free. The only thing I have to do is to believe it. With my whole heart and mind.
Thank you Jesus for setting me free. I cannot wait for the day when my "beanstock" reaches up into the clouds and I can step out of this body, out of the vines of pain around me and feel no more suffering. When I will be in a body that is NEW and feels no more sorrow or pain, that will be paradise. Oh, how lovely that will be and I have that to look forward to some day. But until then, I will live this life as He died and meant for me to live it. And I will honor Him with my praises in the midst of my trials and struggles. Because it not only brings Him joy, but it sets me free. And I will KEEP believing and HOPING that I will find healing here. I will keep trying and doing everything I can, with His help, to get full healing. I trust that He knows what He's doing, so I am learning to rest in Him, more and more each day.
I pray you can do the same in your situation. It takes reading His Word and spending precious alone time with Him, just like Jesus did on a continual basis. He would go off on His own to pray, daily, to spend time with His Father. If Jesus needed to do this, how much more do we need to it?? I pray you are trusting Him for your situation and are walking in faith.
Psalm 91: 1 -2 "He who dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Him I trust."
Blessings,
Sue
3 comments:
Wow!! That was absolutely beautiful Sue! See, you are SMACK DAB in the middle of His will! Yes, He has a good plan for your life...you are living in it, encouraging others with your victory, your choosing life each day while being real about the suffering. I have tried to post a comment before and I hope this one works! I love you so very much and I am so 'proud' of you. The fact that you spent two years truly seeking God's will and taking the long and sometimes painful steps of obedience, and look at you! Your light shine shines in the darkness! God has allowed you to live in 'Eden' so you can communicate through your photos and writings what we all need to hear. That God loves us dearly, Christ died for our sins and we are free indeed, no matter what our circumstances...
You inspire me.
Cher Cher
Yes it took full obedience in coming here, and stripping everything I was hanging onto for my comfort, in order for me to get this - really get it! And I know I will continue getting it as God keeps inputting! Love you Cher and know that God has used you GREATLY to teach me me so much! Thank you for inputting into my life and loving me so patiently!!! I'm glad I can be an inspiration to you!
Way cool again my Babe!!
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