I sat back in a corner of Abba’s House
A spectator, watching them appear in Zion
One after the other, saints bearing ugly crosses
With dignity; funny shapes and killing weights –
There was not one fancy cross among them;
Ancient rugged chunks of back-breaking wood
Borne with patience, grace, gratitude and humor
And they made room to carry handfuls of praise:
Hearts overflowing with thankfulness, they appeared
Like they have no care, to honor Him whom the world
Calls God; the one who is our Father, the King, the Lord.
Abba grieves when His children hurt but He rejoices
While on the narrow way, hounded from all sides
By life’s unpleasantness, spirits of sonship arise
In children so beloved and they bring Abba
Not worries or curses, not fears or tears of timidity
But tears of worship, mingled with unfeigned pain
They lavish their treasures on Him who sits in heaven
And rests those majestic feet on our little world.
What an honor to be counted not a grumbler but a son
Who stands on the sure promises of His Father
Believing for every day, trusting wholly all the way
What honor to be called a worshipper, for such Abba loves!
Watching ordinary people with ordinary issues, do the extraordinary by staking unpleasant life experiences on the word that never fails, on God that’s never late, I wondered how Abba feels. Living in an ungrateful world that blames Him for all calamities, can you imagine His joy as His saints arise, one after the other, sharing hard facts of life, seen from divine perspectives: grateful for every grace, thankful for greater things ahead – the King listens!
It takes God to look up when the world is pushing you down for the kill. It takes God to maintain the attitude of gratitude in the face of trials and tribulations. And Abba listens. In fact, He rises to go forth, to show Himself Mighty on behalf of those who trust their cases in His care.
You don’t have to lug those burdens alone. You don’t have to die in silence – pour out your heart before Him for God is a refuge for us, a very present help in times of trouble. Whatever you are going through, be encouraged, you are not alone. God is with you, the mighty Deliverer, the timely Provider, the faithful Friend, and the adept Guide through life’s journeys. He’ll bring you to a spacious and plenteous place, amen!
Glory!