DAY 23 with Teresa Ann:
SQUEEZED
Slowly coming out of my sleep from last night into the realm of waking up to today, I heard in my spirit a song,“You’re a good, good Father, it’s who YOU are, it’s who YOU are, it’s who YOU are and I am loved by you…”
As I grabbed my phone to play the song by Chris Tomlin, these words were highlighted,
“It’s the tender whisper of love in the dead of night and you tell me that you’re pleased and that I’m never alone, it’s who YOU are…”
“Oh I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide but I know we’re all searching for answers YOU provide; because YOU know what we need before we even say a word. YOU are perfect in all of YOUR ways.
Oh it’s love so undeniable I can hardly speak, peace so unexplainable I can hardly think as YOU call me deeper still and to love. You’re a good, good Father.“
As I listened, I then thought, “What did the writer of this song experience in this life that would cause these words to be crushed out of him. It then reminded me of the fullness of a grapes purpose – to actually know that the grape has lived out it’s full potential is not when it is eaten off the vine; instead the grape has lived out it’s full potential when it is finally crushed. In these times of seeming crushing; the evidence of what’s being squeezed, shows where we get to surrender even more to the LORD.
He was ministering to me today as I saw my own moments of being squeezed. Did more of me come flowing out of that situation or was there only evidence of HIM? Wow! Whatever wasn’t of HIM, simply shows me what I get to surrender to HIM, yet again. It’s a dance with HIM. No condemnation; just a dance to come even closer. His invitation so gentle causing us to want more of HIM.
Think about this. Ponder for a moment. People who hurt you. They were here physically here within our moments of time and space and yet were absent; lost in their own world of pain and brokenness. They couldn’t get out of their pain; grown adults stuck as children within the crevices of their mind of past experiences; like a maze that they couldn’t get out of. Outside of the maze was their world that they couldn’t get to.
We get to be the ones who help people out of the terrifying mazes of life and reveal they have a good, good Father. Let’s shine no matter what darkness is doing and let’s add great flavor to point others back to the Father so that they can taste and see that HE is so good!
REFLECTION OF THE WORD WITH HOLY SPIRIT:
Luke 15; Romans 8:15; Matthew 5:11-16
LET’S TALK:
- When situations happen that are out of your control, what comes squeezing out of you?
- Does it make you rejoice that evidences of HIM have flowed forth OR do you walk in condemnation when you realize what’s still inside?
- Instead of feeling bad, begin rejoicing that it’s coming out. The infection is surfacing. See the infection as this is where GOD wants to deliver and heal you from those situations into HIMSELF. Are you beginning to see parts of yourself that still need to be surrendered to the LORD?
- More than anything, do you see HIM as your GOOD, GOOD FATHER? No matter how raw it may feel, are you able to describe what you’re experiencing in HIM at this moment?
What a way to draw attention to the words of a song that I have a thousand times. It was brought back to life for me!
I used to feel such condemnation when making mistakes or reacting in a not so good way when being pressed. But now I thank God for those situations because He reveals to me so much! My errors are highlighted so I may learn how to grow and what areas I am still weak in. It’s an opportunity to allow God to work in me. And that is exciting because it means I’m becoming more of who He has called me to be!
Gennessa! Oh I’m so glad that this has brought more freedom! Don’t you love how HE does and sees things! HE sees from victory not from defeat! He is not only HOPEFUL in us; HE Is full of faith toward us! HIS Love reveals that for sure!!! He desires us to come out so HE can come in even more! Wow! Thank you for sharing Gennessa! I love you so much!
I love this perspective. “Instead of feeling bad, begin rejoicing that it’s coming out.” It’s easy to get caught up in condemnation and fall through that emotional spiral, but as I press in more and more, I’m learning to repent, forgive myself and that my God is bigger than my situation and loves me no matter what I do. He is a Good, Good Father.
Yes! Yes! Yes!!!! This is so beautiful Tifne!!! I love that!!!
Custom is a tyrant.