Welcome to Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri-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.
PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we examined Freedom Scars. This week we will examine Unchanging Grace. 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: Psalm 18:2 Amplified Bible
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me;
My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge;
My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold
PSALM: On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand
Words and music by: Edward Mote 1834
When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
PARABLE: Have you ever been caught in a bad storm? Several years ago I was caught in the storm of a tornado that touched down in our city. The sky was dark, the rain was so heavy that the windshield wipers could not clear it. Though I was afraid, I was on the street where I grew up and so the terrain was familiar. I took a chance and decided to stop at the next house that I could see. I knew it was not the best choice but driving in the storm was more freightening. After over thirty years, I took a chance and was hopeful that my childhood neighbors had not changed. I was shocked that a familiar face answered the door and welcomed me in to wait out the storm.
As Christians, when we are caught in the storms of life, we can face it with certainty because our hope is in Jesus. We can expect that no matter how high the tide, it will subside because it cannot overtake the height or depth of Christ, the Solid Rock. His reputation is immutable. He is the fortress where we can take refuge when the storms of life are raging. He is our shield when the debris is being thrown at us. He is our anchor and stronghold when our ship is sinking. His unchanging grace is the pillow of comfort where our weary hearts can rest. The waves of Covid-19 are still rolling, the unrest of social injustice is still roaring, the vision of the shore is not yet in sight. Yet we can be assured that Christ is a solid landing place. He is our rock, upon which we can stand when the circumstances in our life feel like quicksand. When is the last time you looked beyond the storm?
- Reflect and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you a storm in your life that is raging.
- Notice without judgment and with a curious awareness what comes to your mind. Invite God into your sanctified imagination. Ask Him to remind you of how you are anchored in the hope of Christ.
- Next scan your mind and notice what the Holy Spirit is sharing that you need to know, hear, or do to endure the storm with the hope that nothing can overtake Christ the Solid Rock.
- Finally, Focus on what God shows you and offer Him thanks for being your anchor of hope.
PRAYER: Jesus, I’ve had my share of storms this year and the waves are still coming. I am so thankful that you are the Rock for which the waves must splash against. Thank you that you calm my stormy seas. I love the way you love me. In the 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 visualize the Solid Rock. Then take the mindfulness of God’s unchanging hope cultivated in these last few minutes of wandering into the next ones and beyond.
Until next time, be Resonant.
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Image attributions: Text art app with words added
Lord thank you, for being my anchor in the mist of the storm well said Dr. Woods.