Barely Hanging On

 Barely Hanging On

Sounds like impending doom

but faith whispers the Lord's promises.

He said:

"I will lose none of those he has given me,

but raise them up at the last day."

 He promised to raise me up.

So when my strength feels tired,

and my mind feels full.

When my heart is conflicted 

and I feel the effects of isolation.

I listen closely,

and hear his voice.

"Nothing can ever separate us from God's love."

"Nothing"

I'm tempted to make a list of all the separating things,

all the reasons I can't feel His love,

but this says "nothing" and goes onto clarify:

"Neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither our fears for today

nor our worries about tomorrow-

not even the powers of hell 

can separate us from God's love.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below-

indeed, nothing in all creation

will ever be able to separate us

from the love of God

that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

and I'm encouraged.

I spend some time repenting from my steps away,

from my acts of disobedience, and I hear:

"You have abandoned your first love.

remember how far you have fallen.

Repent and go back to what you were doing at first."

More time in prayer.

Not like reciting a dutiful set of words,

but pouring my mournful heart out

to the lover of my soul.

and I know He receives me.

and as I come to him,

I know he comes to me.

And as I seek him with all my heart,

He is found by me.

No longer barley hanging on,

but carried.

How gracious is our God and Lord.

How profound is his love.

He said:

"I live in a high and holy place,

but also with the one who is contrite and humble,

to revive the spirit of the lowly 

and to revive the heart of the contrite."