In the deep soil,
a sprout begins
its brave journey
to the Light.
Under the ocean,
a volcano explodes with passion
again and again.
Fish swim by fire
for generations
as land gradually begins
the ascension process,
a paradise in the making
There’s something about the darkness.
The quiet place
when no one is looking –
what happens under the deep cloak
of invisibility
matters.
Eventually,
who we really are
rises up to the surface
and creates
the trajectory of our lives.
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. – Luke 8:16-17
Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
2 Kings 17:41
So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
I recently listened to a Joyce Myer podcast where she emphasized the fact that “who you are when no one is looking is who you really are.” Isn’t that the truth?
We live in a “look at me” world. How often do we see someone post perfect images on social media only to learn that what is really going on in their life is anything but the glamorous image of perfection they are projecting?
Receiving praise for a superficial image can provide a superficial level of satisfaction and may even make us forget about our struggles for a little while. But ultimately, what’s brewing under the surface of our lives including the reality of our choices and deep seeded belief systems whether they are rooted in truth or not – is going to rise to the surface and form the trajectory of our lives.
Deep soul satisfaction can only come from a deep place of truth inside of us, and Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.”
No matter what difficulties you face, I encourage you to remember that your choices matter, even (maybe especially) in the quiet moments when no one is watching or praising your efforts. Your love matters, your good deeds matters, your willingness to forgive, care for others, turn the other cheek, pray and opening up to the infinite possibilities of faith matters, regardless of whether or not anyone notices all your hard work and sacrifices – even (actually especially if) you are being treated unjustly. In the long run if you persevere in faith through all the struggles life throws at you, you will see the promises of God fulfilled in your life, and your efforts will be so far beyond worth it it will blow your mind.
As Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
In the process of persevering through struggles in the dark quiet places of our soul when only God sees, we can anchor in more deeply to Spirit’s unchanging love within us as a living, breathing experience and support system. Through the trials if we choose to live for that faith, our intentions can be purified, and we can become more directly guided by God’s unchanging heavenly love, which is the source of all goodness and wisdom. Before we know it, we can be courageously stepping out on faith in ways we never would have been capable of if we allowed ourselves to be controlled and limited by the approval of other people.
Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Hebrews 12: 1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Do you struggle to behave with integrity in the quiet moments, when no one is looking? That’s where the rubber meets the road on the spiritual journey and our greatest opportunity to form a stronger union with our heavenly Father! Comment below, and I’ll be delighted to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Lord fill us with Your spirit of truth and life. Give us the faith to care more about who we really are deep down than what others think of us. Help us to cultivate a deep and lasting integrity, which is unwavering in good times and bad, whether or not we receive the worldly outcomes we are hoping for. Anoint us with the gift of faith so we truly believe our hard work and generosity will bear fruit in the long run and are willing to persevere faithfully through the trials of life. Help us to unite so deeply into Your perfect love that we can courageously allow ourselves to be guided by Your Spirit in love and trust, regardless of how difficult the opposition we face from other people. In Jesus name, we pray.
written by Nicky Gant for http://www.uniteinprayer.org 7/29/2021