Casting shadows
I know from seeing this world that it was never meant for me
With daily deaths, suicides, divorces, and streams of tears
Wondering if, though, I’ll ever see you here
Knowing now that your glory will fill this place.
It hard to shake up that dream of better fields
The ones you promised long ago
I sit here and ponder where this is all going
Realizing that it’s been a while since I’ve seen the path.
I’m tired but restless
I’m sleepy yet I’m awake
Woken up by the simplest movement
More by your shadow than by your touch.
I can’t help but feel alone
In the field that I’m in now
I wait for you to come get me
I wait for you.
Cast your shadow on me!
So that I’ll know you’re still there
Or at least coming toward me
At most, in your arms.
Far away from here, you have a vision
Of a more perfect, more majestic reality
How quickly I’ve forgotten this
And settled with the mire of now.
Help me see this dream of yours
I don’t want to just sleep
I want to live, breathe, and touch this new world
But I want to experience you.
I woke up from this dream today. I prayed for certain people in my life. When I have dreams like the one I just had, I know they mean something and know that they are prophetic. The dream was specific to someone in particular…and I hate dreams like this because I realize that the dream is speaking about them, but it’s somehow about me too.
But the dream woke me up. I turned on the radio, and this song was on:
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they’re worth taking
Loving might be a mistake
But it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell-bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…
Too many times have I had a friend leave me because of what God has revealed in their life. Too often had I been on the side of the conversation when I’ve made challenges and encouragements, only to have them fall by the way-side. And too easy it would be for me to get so hurt and bitter that I wouldn’t risk it all again.
Me: I just don’t think I can do this anymore. It took so much out of me, and the stress was just so high. And in the end, she didn’t want to talk with me anymore. How can I do this if this is what my relationships will look like?
Jeff: Mike, it doesn’t get any easier from here. As you go on you’ll make more friends and you’ll get even closer with them. But God will challenge you there just like he’s challenged you here. And the challenges will get just that harder because these people are closer. And you will lose more friends. The question you need to ask yourself is “Would I be willing to let it happen again? Would I be willing to invest myself in someone else only let this happen again? Not for the possibility of getting hurt, but take the risk for the possibility that they might respond in a positive way. For the hope that they will WANT to seek God. Would you be willing to get hurt again?”
This has been the question that has motivated and influenced my ministry. I’ve allowed this question to permeate my thoughts and convictions. It has allowed me to ask the hard questions and make the difficult challenges when they’ve been necessary and celebrate with them when they achieve freedom. And in all my relationships (and I’ve had several of them), only one has stayed so far.
This question allows me to move on from lost relationships. I still grieve. I still cry. But I am still willing to risk it all for the possibility that someone else.
“See my glory…”