CAUTIOUS EXCITEMENT

They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.  Hosea 3: 5

            It would seem that people should run toward something that seems too good to be true.  That’s not always the case.  People often fear joy and success as deeply as they fear despair and failure.

            I remember how I felt on the eve of some of the best days of my life; the days I perceived dreams would come true.  I trembled with a sense of wonder and excitement but I also shook with trepidation.  I wondered if what I had looked forward to would actually be as good as I anticipated.  Trembling was a sign that I was braced for disappointment.

            God understands completely if I approach Him with a bit of reservation.  It’s hard to do otherwise.  We live in a world of imperfection.  Imperfect love, broken dreams, thwarted desires, and a wide range of disappointments rear their ugly head on a daily basis.  To believe that true love exists in God takes faith, faith that defies my experience here.  I must choose to allow hope to live.  I must reawaken my dreams.  I must uncover the longings I buried long ago in my disillusionment.   All of this requires faith, a faith we nurture through the intentional clinging to the Word of God.  Fear of intimacy with God is conquered by the Word.  God’s Spirit slowly melts away unbelief.

            Daring to believe that God loves me and has good intentions towards me requires courage.  When I open the door to love’s possibilities, I begin to tremble.  With great intention, despite inner fears, I must make a decision to move toward God.  Though I may shake with both wonder and disbelief, I move toward Him just the same.  Today, He’ll give me the grace to come closer by whispering reassurances that rebuild my broken trust.

Though I trembled, I chose to trust You.  You called to me in the very places where my heart dreamed and longed for perfect love.  I’m so glad I finally listened and began a lifetime of learning how to be close to You.  Intimacy with You has no limits because You are limitless.  I’ve only just begun to go deep and I’m so glad.  Amen