How fortunate we are.

God has given us the distinct privilege to step away from the things of this world, and dwell in a place of rest that is hidden from others. He has given us a personal invitation to partake in a journey that not many are willing to accept.

But it’s so much more than a place of rest.

It’s so much more than a hidden getaway. In the depths of His love and affirmation, this is where we find our confidence and identity. He has beckoned us to uncover His glory and in doing so, we inevitably find ourselves.

Wrapped up in all that He is, we find all that we are.

We discover that we are as no less than perfection in His eyes. Yet this is not because of who we are, for who we are in the flesh resembles a broken arrow destined to miss the mark. Instead, we must shift our focus to a greater vision. To conceive a truth such as this, we need to look to the cross.

The vision of the Father sees red.

His eyes are set upon the blood. When He sees us, He sees redemption paid at a price that was far too high for us to ever comprehend. It was out of our reach, so He lifted us upon His shoulders, carried us to the threshold of eternity, and showed us our worth. One look at the cross reminds us of death, but to stare at the marks upon the hands and feet of Jesus provokes us to rejoice in LIFE.

We have every reason to rejoice.

We have infinite, unmeasurable reasons, to be thankful. We have every reason to love with the extravagant love He has shown to us all. I cannot help but to be so overcome with gratitude in this moment, because not only did He save us with His life, but He fights for us every single day.

He cares so deeply that we are protected.

He goes out of His way to allow pain in our lives to be turned into passion. He releases us higher and higher as He makes our enemies as our footstool. He prepares a banquet table in the midst of our foes, and invites us to partake in intimate fellowship with no hindrances. He intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father in His authority, and He patiently awaits His reward that was burned into His eyes which led Him to the cross.

He awaits us.

Let our lips never stop giving Him praise. For He is worthy.

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Amy Basel