Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri is biweekly and a time we set aside to wander in the Presence of Jesus and ponder His truths. When you are ready, prepare your mind, body, and soul to have a transformational encounter with Jesus.
Watch the Wednesday Wanderings Welcome for this week.
Now that we have cleared our minds of the clutter, we can wander on the journey with Jesus.
PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we examined a Heart’s Treasure. This week we will examine Enduring Peace, Confident Hope. When you are ready, you may begin the dialogue with Jesus and state: “Jesus, I invite you to help me to leisurely wander into your Presence. Prepare my heart to receive, and illuminate my spiritual senses to encounter you.”
PROMISE: Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible
You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].
What does it mean to be kept in constant peace and hope with a confident expectation?
PSALM: Great is Thy Faithfulness written by Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960) with music composed by William M. Runyan (1870–1957)
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside
PARABLE: Have you ever watched the choppy and untamed ripples of the water when there is a storm brewing? The storm captures everything in its way and diverts attention to its destruction. Yet, a person acquainted with the water is able to patiently ride out the storm without panic. They allow the waves to propel the boat towards the shore. Sometimes they don’t even waste the strength of the motor. They turn it off and just allow nature to be the compass and guide.
The year 2020 seems as though it has been one storm after another. Just as we finally made our way towards opening up the country, just as the election ended, just as social injustices appeared to have reduced, along came more strong winds. The tsunami continues as COVID-19 is surging and there is still political and racial unrest. I know that you may be fatigued from the storms of this season. I realize that some occurrences in your life have hurt you to the very core of your soul. I recognize that the umbrella of your faith may have inverted and the wind of circumstances feels as though it is about to blow it away. Yet, I encourage you to hold firm to the umbrella and point it towards the rainbow of God’strenght for today and hope for tomorrow.
Be assured that even now, God is your Refuge and Shield. So…like the sailor acquainted with the rift tides, turn off the motor of your mind that is riding the waves of emotional upheaval. Shift down the gears of your emotions that are overwhelming you with anxiety. Place your mind on the truths of God’s promises and let them guide you to the peaceful shore of His presence.
PONDER and WANDER: If you choose, take time to ponder the question: How will I take my eye off the storms and place my focus on giving thanks for the peaceful mind I have in Christ?
Soul care training exercise: In the midst of the sprinkles, showers, or storms that are raining on you this week, invite the Holy Spirit to quiet your mind, search your soul, and reveal to you the enduring patience and confident hope you have in Jesus. I invite you to take some quiet time and ponder and/or journal the below questions.
- What sprinkle (slight), shower (medium), or storm (heavy) circumstance has taken your focus away from God’s gifts of peace and hope?
- Reflect and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you what wave of circumstances in your life has your attention.
- What does it mean to be kept in constant peace and hope with a confident expectation?
- Notice without judgment and with a curious awareness what comes to your mind. Invite God into the sprinkle, shower, or storm of circumstance. Ask Him to keep your mind in perfect peace in spite of the circumstance.
- What promise do I need to reminded of that will refocus my mind on the hope of tomorrow?
- Focus on Jesus and let Him empower you with enduring peace and confident hope.
PRAYER: Father, thank you that even in a pandemic and chaotic world,our mind is on your promise. We believe that your peace will endure beyond what we see. We believe that in you we can have hope for a brighter tomorrow. We believe your promise that ALL things are working together for our good. Help us give thanks today for the enduring peace and confident hope we have in you. In the healing name of Jesus, I pray. Amen
PRAISE: Now that you have emptied your mind of the clutter and wandered with Jesus, take a closing moment to breathe in the hope for tomorrow and patiently let the work of your wandering fill you with peace.
Then take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes of wandering into the next ones and beyond.
Until next time, be Resonant.
The post Enduring Peace, Confident Hope appeared first on Resonant 7.
BONUS REFLECTION: If you choose click below and take five minutes to experience the guided Waves meditation.
Image attributions:
Hope for tomorrow: https://pixabay.com/images/search/covid%2019/with text added
My refuge keep my mind: https://pixabay.com/photos/girl-child-black-african-486950/ with added text
Hold firm: https://pixabay.com/photos/parasol-screen-rainbow-color-714185/ with added text
Leave a Reply