TAKE

The feeling of being claimed can be so assuring at times. Providing it is for the right reasons and a good source.

Otherwise is can be so confusing and muddle in the mind. I always find it amazing how we are most concerned about other people's opinions and not as much about what God thinks.

We fuss over perceptions and image and even though it isn't really a good image at times, we thing it is important. Meanwhile, despite the fact that God knows us completely, we don't get as concerned with his opinion. It is like we tell ourselves he will understand no matter what.

God is longsuffering to be sure. He does love us, and reaches out to us, but doesn't grant us the right to totally disregard his opinion or sovereignty.

Today I am in my office, a huge building where I spend a lot of time by myself. But there are times during the day that I do have encounters with others.

At the moment, however, there has been a decline interaction. Not by my doing, just by the reality that I have fewer employers coming to my office.

But it did occur to me how that gives me more time to reflect upon the Lord. Which is not a bad thing.

Providing I see it as an opportunity to listen and hear what God's spirit is saying. This doesn't always happen the way I would like, but it is important just the same.

So in the midst of the quiet, I can celebrate the joy of knowing he is there. And listening even if nobody else is hearing.

Quiet need not be sadness if one understands it correctly. And though it doesn't necessarily replace the warmth of a voice or a hug or two it does touch in its own special way.

Perhaps heaven truly does grant us the joy of knowing we are taken in a way that caresses in manners nobody else will. I will cherish that possibility and opportunity.

For now, I sit in my silence being faithful to my calling. The solitude granted me the quiet time to know how truly precious it is that God touches when no one else will.

If we savor that joy then it is a blessing. If we let it fester in some shadow it does other than grace us with happiness.

That is the part of being taken that one has to embrace with the knowledge God truly is more important than our other thoughts.