How God Brings Change Sometimes

There are times when we pray prayers asking God to renew us, refresh us or bring something new into our lives. We don't always know what we are asking for.As churches we all shout "Bring us revival. Lord! we want to experience your river!"

As individuals we cry and beg "Please change my situation, Lord! Give me something, anything! I want new and hopeful!"
And then when He begins to answer us...to rain on us... sometimes we panic and beg for it to stop.

The thunder seems too loud, the streams too fast...and it's frightening to see the old things being washed away....like they never even existed. This is what happened to me when I asked God to reveal the truth of my situation some years ago. I wanted to be safe, to be free and to find new joy. And then it rained. The mud was washed away to reveal the ugly truth. So many things in my life got swept away and I felt like a stranded survivor of a shipwreck, floating alone on driftwood in an unknown sea. Eventually I floated to a new shore and began a new life. I can look back now and see God's amazing hand through it all. So many miracles!

Sometimes God arranges real life events in a certain way in order to give us a picture of His ways. This Saturday was one of those times for me. He arranged everything down to the tiniest detail. It was absolutely beautiful. I was out walking with the children in another town and an interesting series of events unfolded. For a few days I couldn't find the words to describe it, but this morning He gave me this poem ...which captures everything that happened very well. God was there and we all knew it. I hope you allow Him to minister to you and show you different shades of meaning in and through this.

His Flooding Mercies
copyright 2015 

As the storms rolled in with a mighty downpour

We rested in the old church, inside the ancient door.

We wanted to stay where it was dry as a bone,

But it wasn't inviting, it was empty and alone.

We craved life and warmth and home.

And in the sky the thunder rolled,

While out of the cabin the old music flowed

Like the water rushing over and around,

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing the ground.

So we walked down the road, to the creaking log cabin.

On the rough wooden porch, that’s where it happened.

The door was left open, I heard musical sounds,

While eddies of water swirled all around

And rivulets of rain carried away the ground.

And in the sky the thunder rolled,

While out of the cabin the old music flowed

Like the water rushing over and around,

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing the ground.

I knew instinctively that You were there, and I felt free.

In the midst of the storm your voice spoke to me

And I felt the urge to drop to my knees.

The gentle rain washed over my skin

and the deep joy fountain began to bubble again.

And in the sky the thunder rolled,

While out of the cabin the old music flowed

Like the water rushing over and around,

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing the ground.

I stood in the door

And watched the faces glow, heard the rain downpour.

There were leaks in the roof and puddles on the floor,

Guitar strings, upright bass and violin,

This was for you, our Eternal Friend.

And in the sky the thunder rolled,

While out of the cabin the old music flowed

Like the water rushing over and around,

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing the ground.

While the rains pelted down and washed away the ground

We stood calm and listened for the sound

Of your gentle voice speaking so low,

While the Holy Spirit drenched our parched old souls

And the love inside the room began to glow.

And in the sky the thunder rolled,

While out of the cabin the old music flowed

Like the water rushing over and around,

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing the ground.

The power of the rain didn’t frighten me,

But some were knocked down and some tried to flee.

I saw them through the old fashioned glass

Running and running, they ran right past

The old cabin, where the music and the water cut new paths.

And in the sky the thunder rolled,

While out of the cabin the old music flowed

Like the water rushing over and around,

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing the ground.

The storm raged on, no one cared, faces glowed,

And stories of your faithfulness and glory were told.

Hearts were opened, tears were streaming down.

Rivers of water running through US now

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing OUR ground.

And in the sky the thunder rolled,

While out of the cabin the old music flowed

Like the water rushing over and around,

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing the ground.

What if this is the revival we seek?

Not in the church on down the street?

But in us, in you and me, In the old log cabin on bended knee,

Where the waters rush on and the thunder cracks high

and in spite of our efforts we DON’T stay dry?

And in the sky the thunder rolled,

While out of the cabin the old music flowed

Like the water rushing over and around,

Like the Holy Spirit cleansing the ground.

Let’s stay in the cabin for a few more songs.

Let’s huddle together with others who belong.

I want to sit right down in the middle of this room

Where the voices lift a song and the fiddle plays a tune

And the water rushes over and around,

While the sweet Holy Spirit cleanses MY ground.


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