truth

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen." Romans 1: 21-25

truth, by Lauren Hanson, circa. 2005.

A little piece of art I did back in the day... a darker day.  As dark as it is and as dark of a time in my life as it was, the paradox of this piece of are is that I knew the truth--and even though I kept "denying the truth", in all reality I could not.  God would eventually lead my heart away from this darkness and into His light.  God is the truth, and the truth of who He is, speaks louder than any circumstance, feeling, even choices made in rejection to His abiding and abounding love.  When we decide to take control of our own lives, apart from God and outside of His guidance, we will find ourselves here in this desolate place.  We "bypass the realities of the heart and soul from which life really flows "(p. 140, Hearing God) when we attempt to direct our lives, verses allowing God to do His work in us and through us for our good and His glory.

Lately, I've been getting this notion of God leading me to "let go"; let go of all of the things I desire, and surrender and submit myself at His feet.  God has been refining me and moving me into a state of desperate dependence on Him.  He is calling me into a relationship that is daily and momently, relying on His strength and power through communicating with Him.  By His power alone, am I made able.  "When we consider a life of participation in God's kingdom rule, we are not looking at anything that we must make happen.  The extent of our obligation is to be honestly willing and eager to be made able." (p.136, Hearing God, Willard).  Lord, I am willing and eager to be made able to participate in Your kingdom, for the glory of Your name, so that all might know the love and freedom You freely give!  Lord, You are great beyond all measure.  You hear the cries of my heart and You speak to me.  My home I find in You, in Your will, in obedience to You, only by Your strength and Your power, and Your mercy, and forgiveness, and love.  You are my peace.  You are my hope.