Change is in the Air

Change is the air.
Seasons are changing.The mornings are now dark, the air is cool and crisp, and Starbucks will be carrying Pumpkin Spice soon. Almost time to pull out the scarves, boots, and cardigans. My favorite time of the year is only weeks away, and with autumn's arrival a new season of my life begins.

"My lover said to me,“Rise up, my darling!Come away with me, my fair one!" SoS 2:10 NLT

God has been so faithful in throughout the seasons of my life and I am overjoyed knowing that the coming season will consist of His faithfulness and love. In a season of romance, I have the privilege of spending 10 weeks in beautiful Colorado with the only purpose of spending time with Jesus. Expectant to say the least.

The Great Risk of Great Lovers

In Elisabeth Elliot's book "The Pathway of Loneliness", she writes about how the "great risk of great lovers" is the vulnerability, the trust, and the ability to hurt. I have been contemplating these three concepts over the course of the past week as the heartache of loneliness and distrust has crept into my soul. 

The word vulnerable means to be: open to attack or susceptible to being wounded or hurt; difficult to defend.

The word trust means to be: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety of a person or thing; confidence, hope, credit, on whom one relies. 

The word hurt means: to suffer, to feel pain, to cause injury.  

How often have I heard friends, family, authors, speakers, and  even my own soul whisper the question "doesn't God want me to be happy?" But no where in the Word, does God speak of promising me happiness. Instead He asks me to expect trials, persecution, and temptation. The question God has lodged deep within my soul is, "Will you trust Me?" even in the midst of pain, of hurt, or of loneliness. How often do I feel like the children of Israel when they wandered the desert, distrusting the heart of God, and longing for days of comfort. To trust God is to be vulnerable; to be open to hurt or pain. Will I ever be able to trust Him the way I long to?

"Behold, God is my salvation;I will trust, and will not be afraid;for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,and he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)