by Suzie Johnson |
My friends all know that one of the ways I'm blessed is with the water that surrounds my island. It's where I meet God.
Daily.
Morning and evening during the work week, I get to make a beautiful drive; and at least once during the weekend, I'll find myself at the beach. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't live surrounded by water. I pray I never have to find out.
One thing, though... if I ever do have to live without my precious blue Pacific, I pray my heart will still take flight and lead me to another lovely portion of God's creation where I might find peace and rest.
But what if that didn't happen? What if the very place I meet God ceased to exist?
I'd like to think I'd still be able to meet Him, to find Him on whatever plane I'm living. I'd like to believe my joy in Him is not dependent upon my circumstances.
"If I had no voice if I had no tongue,
I would dance for you like the rising
sun.
And when that day comes and I see your face,
I will shout your endless
glorious praise."
~~ From: You Are,
by Michael Colton Dixon and Michael Busbee
From the moment I heard this song, I focused in on those lines. In my mind, every time I hear it, I'm like David, dancing my heart out for God - even though my form might not be correct. It's just an image that makes my heart soar.
Of course, the song also brings me to the image of the person who, even if their world is tipped upside down, will still find a way to praise to God. It makes the image of dancing my heart out for God even stronger. It's who I desire to be.
Am I there yet? Like all humans, I have a ways to go. But it's what I'm striving for, what I'm praying for. If I wake up tomorrow and my beautiful beach and blue water have disappeared, I still want to dance for Him like the rising sun.
When I went online to find the lyrics so I didn't mangle them, and so I could properly list the writers, I learned that the scripture Colton had in mind as he wrote the song was this:
"Then David danced before the Lord with all his might..." ~~ 2 Samuel 6:14
The same one I picture in my mind whenever I hear the song. That made this song, and everything I imagine when I hear it, all the more perfect for me.
God is my strength.
God is my joy.
God IS.
And no matter what may befall,
I want to sing and dance my heart out for Him.
True
North, Suzie Johnson’s second novel, will be released in January, 2014. Her first novel, No Substitute, a contemporary
inspirational novel, is out now from White Rose Press of The Pelican Book
Group. She
is a regular contributor to the Inkwell Inspirations blog, a member of ACFW,
RWA, and is the cancer registrar at her local hospital. Suzie and her husband
live in the Pacific Northwest with their naughty little cat on an island that
is definitely not tropical. Together, they are the parents of a wonderful grown
son who makes them proud every day – even though he lives way too far away. You
can visit Suzie at the following places:
http://www.pinterest.com/suziejohnson1
Suzie Jo, what a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely. Even here where the land is flat and dry. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I really like that song too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. It got me thinking.
ReplyDeleteI miss the ocean, now that I don't live near it anymore. Yet every landscape has evidence of God's hand in it. I need to do a better job of looking for it wherever I go.
Thank you, DeAnna.
ReplyDeleteDina, I just love songs like this that seem simple on the outside but they're so rich in meaning and full of joy.
Susie, when I go on the train, I'm constantly amazed at how varied and yet beautiful every place is as I'm traveling through.
I'm learning... I live in an area where people pay to come and visit. But there's nothing like the ocean for me!
ReplyDeletethanks Suzie. I read this at 4 am but I hate trying to comment via my kindle.
And now I can listen to the video!
Deb, I have it on good authority that you live in a beautiful part of the country. Kirk used to go to Lake Ontario when he was homesick.
ReplyDelete