Oasis

I dont't know, it just sounds nice doesn't it: Oasis! Well, I have had some realizations as of late (drum roll please). I feel like I have closed my eyes for what only felt like a moment, but upon re-opening them have discovered that an alarming amount of time has passed. I have awakened to find that I have shut out the world around me. I am insulated in my own world of hurry-scurry and inflated affairs. I have become so busy-with-my-eyes-to-the-ground that I have lost sight of what really matters. I only extend out of myself when necessary. I have seen the ill effects of this paralyzing complacency begin to entwine and choke me.

My ability to interact with others has been weakened. My boldness and confidence in classes and in other situations has waned. But, the real crime is that I have let it go without a fight. Not only is this a great personal tragedy, but also a Kingdom tragedy in that I am too closed to share the love of Christ in the marketplace by being open and loving to all. Our society drives us into a selfish shell. I have been mislead and entrapped. Thankfully, I have grace. Though painful I am taking some steps to open myself up to others again, and not be so comsumed with my spinning world.

God has been leading me to appeal to him as my Father. I know him as my Lord, Savior, Lover of my soul etc. But to KNOW him as my Father is a new revelation for me. It is completely his heart toward us. Knowing him as my Father means I have certain rights to him that others don't. It means I have an appeal, a hold on him that others don't. It means that my cry MOVES his Father heart in a way that any other cry would not. It means that even if I'm not completely innocent, when the accuser comes, I have a legal right to hide behind him: And my Father takes care of it. Grace, mercy, and favor are included in this. It is a very exciting revelation.