Creating from His Imprint

“Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm …

Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it;”

~Song of Solomon 8:6-7

 First read during a time God was silent and prayer seemed to stop at the ceiling, the word caught my attention! As a potter, I used seals to signify ownership, and began to wonder what a seal might see or feel if pressed to clay or wax as was often done—either a cold-hardness or a hot-softness, but always darkness. My ready prayer came, “God, may the mark of Your ownership on my life be what’s left in the darkness I feel.”

 The Japanese symbol for “tree” incorporates the tree, roots, and all formed it over time. As children, our “story” is given us by those to whom their story was given, and it becomes our lens of life, shaping our beliefs and values then choices and behavior. When we become adults, the pen writing the rest of the story is in our own hand. Some live in and from the old story; I choose a new one! Will you? An adventure stands before us in every present moment!

Writing this new story may be the hardest thing you’ve ever done, when the old story has been familiar and given comfort. A new story can involve overwhelming risk! “Though earth’s waters roar and foam…the Lord of hosts is with us…our stronghold.” (Psalm 46:2-7 condensed). As if from a little heap at the foot of a brick wall, Jesus bent down to scoop my limp form from the ground, and with his arms securely around my shoulders He bent his head to whisper in my ear —

“It’s going to be more beautiful than you can imagine… and  I’m going to do it!”

He will whisper in yours too; first, I had to surrender.