Stealing Away

​“Behold I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him,and he with Me.”  Revelation 3:20 NKJV)
 
                                                            Stealing Away
 
Calling out across the vast expanse
Like waves gently caressing the shore
A stirring, a whisper, a vapor of hope
You come, You wait, You stand at the door
 
The ache is constant, won’t relent
Longing for resolution, a quiet peace
No way through it, no way around
A refuge, a home, my heart seeks
 
A touch slides across my skin
A caress reaches deep into my soul
An embrace sinks into my heart
Surrounds, pulls, takes control
 
All within me wants to resist
A fortress, a bastion, all on my own
Fear of a caged animal, ferocious, bereft
What is this presence, like nothing I’ve known?
 
Tears flow uninvited down my cheeks
I stand here shaking, completely undone
Warm liquid love breaks in, uncompromising
Intimacy unparalleled, we become one
 
Why do we war against You, weapons in hand?
Why do we think we know what to do?
Why do we run full-on the other way?
When what we need is found only in You
 
Forgive us Lord, our foolish, arrogant pride
Forgive us for warring against our own flesh
Forgive us for hiding, for stealing away
For yielding to all that only brings death
 
Your love is a bulwark from all that’s without
Your love is a shelter from war raging within
Your love is vital, magnificent, all-encompassing
Your love is the end to all we begin….
 
 
 
It’s easier to keep the door to our heart shut.  It’s easier to steal away, to hide behind the door of pride, the door of fear, the door of self-will, the door of unforgiveness, the door of shame, the door of isolation. Jesus is standing outside the door of your heart, knocking, inviting, waiting, imploring.  Can you hear Him?  He wants to dine with you, to enjoy your company, to enjoy the fullness of who you are.  He wants to “prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies,” so that He might let them know that you won’t be partaking of their meals anymore.(Psalm 23:5) Meals of doubt, cowardice, anger, deception, betrayal, fear, pain, loss, and helpings of soul crushing despair.  The ‘bread of life’ wants to be your sustenance, your very life.(John 6:35)  But a person standing on your porch knocking is not a guest, until you open the door and let them in.  What doors of your heart have you sealed shut, while Jesus stands on the porch as if He’s an interloper, an unwanted guest? 
 
Pray with me:
Father, today may I swing open the door of my heart wide, may I let you in every room, and sit down with you to a meal You have prepared for me.  May I allow myself to be vulnerable.  May I allow myself to let my guard down.  May I allow You to flood over me in deep, penetrating intimacy.  May I allow You to heal my heart, to heal my mind, to heal my soul.  May I allow You to truly be Lord of my life in every place.  Let it be so sweet Jesus…I pray and believe in Jesus’ mighty, matchless name…
 
 
 
 
Written by Anne Marie Hawke
May 2021
 
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