As I continue this journey through Proverbs, there are those moments when I wonder what am I doing; yet, for me this has been an incredible journey. At times Proverbs has been like a surgeon’s scalpel cutting away the chafe in my life, at other times like a ray of hope as Grace is displayed through the pages, and at times it has been so awe inspiring as I recognize the beauty of God’s Glory displayed. The urging desire that presses onward. The longing to know Him who is the very essence of Wisdom—the Creator, the Savior, and the Ultimate essence of Love. It has definitely been harder to keep a daily post going as I have sometimes found myself prayerfully searching a reading each section and awaiting inspiration. Then, finally after much prayer a sparkle of light comes into view; I smile and say thank you Lord.
Proverbs 25:2 begins with reminding us that there is so much about God’s Glory that remains and will continue to remain a mystery to us.
photo courtesy of istockphoto.com
Romans 11: “33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” His Glory, His Majesty, His Beauty, His Righteousness, and His Justice are so beyond our comprehension.
There is no real invention or medical breakthrough but what God has only allowed man to discover it—think about it. God is Sovereign, Omnipotent and Omniscient. I can never pretend to understand the “whys” or “what for’s” in my own life, much less the Universe. Yet, This I Know that God has a perfect plan of love for me. He chose me, He redeemed me and He is constantly in the process of preparing me to comprehend His Majesty and Glory one day. His plan is to shower me with His Love, His Joy, and His Glory; but, that means He has to prepare my heart, my mind, my spirit and my soul to comprehend it.
As I was preparing this message for you I opened my email and read this
beautiful illustration that was written by Rayla Stewart Hogue. Rayla was one of my dearest friends through middle school and high school. Our paths took us down different roads and only recently we were able to meet again, since I moved to Columbia and we reside much closer to each other. Despite our paths going different directions, we both have continued to follow after Christ and therefore kept us closer in heart than we even knew during the years. I asked Rayla if I could share this weeks article with you and she gave me permission. I hope it inspires you as much as it did me.
Shrouded in Mystery
By Rayla Stewart Hogue
Special to the Daily Statesman
Early summer mornings were amazing. She walked out onto the deck into the delicious upper 50s and slightly damp morning. Ground fog rose across the land from the moisture left behind after the recent rains. The rolling hills of the plains of were swaddled in ethereal beauty—misty white rising and dissipating in warming rays of the sun.
Looking out over the land, she could barely make out shapes moving through the mist. She knew it was the horses and cattle on beyond, yet the shapes blended and blurred so that she could not distinguish one animal from another. Watching their shapes move at times she would see a head or shoulder or perhaps a tail swish as it swatted a fly.
At the edge of the woods she could make out one body with what appeared to be three heads—one facing east, one facing west, and one facing south. Watching them slowly graze their way toward the barn she could not distinguish one from the other clearly. Heads, flanks, legs would appear and then disappear as the ground fog moved across the land.
Eventually they finally worked their way to the pasture fence nearest where she stood. She could clearly see all three horses and they grazed, winding their way in a graceful ballet of fluid movement. As they appeared and disappeared she could not help but think they seemed to be shrouded in a sense of mystery. When they were farther from her the shapes were hard to interpret, but as they came closer and closer she could finally see the three rather than one.
Watching them, she began to speak to God in her morning prayers. As she prayed she thought of God—her creator, God—her Savior, the Christ, and God—the Holy Spirit which lived within and guided her in life. The trinity—a concept so difficult to understand and yet at this moment it seemed so simple. God in three forms—shrouded in mystery, but as she got closer to God—to God’s heart the mystery dissolved so that only love remained.
God created her—and all that is. God came to live and walk with her—to teach her God’s ways. God dwelled within her—whispering to her heart God’s love, compassion, and wisdom for the path upon which she walked. Three, yet one, shrouded in her mind, but clear in her heart.
She didn’t have to understand every detail to know that God, in all three forms loved her, cared for her, and would always be with her. The shroud of mystery didn’t blind her. The shroud of mystery intrigued her and drew her to desire to know more of God.
God of three yet one, draw us to you as we gaze in awe without full understanding. Dwell within us so that we may know you. Teach us to delight in the mystery, knowing that as we draw closer to you, we will understand more of you. Guide us, God as we walk with you in this life into the shrouded mystery of the next. So be it. Amen.
If you have questions or comments check her blog at dailystatesman.com or email her at raykayh@gmail.com. Rayla Stewart Hogue is a native of Dexter. She is a wife, mother, writer, musician, and minister of the UCC (United Church of Christ). ©Rayla Stewart Hogue
06-13-14
I bid you to close your eyes in silent prayer and let the Majesty of God’s Spirit lift you high above all the trials of this earth as you listen to Instrumental Blend of Majesty and Mystery/Awesome God
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”