Running Into Arms of Love...

Bible readings... 
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”
Deuteronomy 33:27
“The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12
“Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear:” Isaiah 59:1
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Hello everyone…and a big welcome today, to Sunday Inspiration…through the Risen Hope Ministries! I am so happy to have you with me today…and my prayer for you; is that you will find God’s loving arms, to be a safe haven…a refuge from the fierce storms that may come your way!
 
When I look back on all the difficult…and what seemed to be the most hopeless moments of my past; I also see many moments, when I had unknowingly taken refuge in the circumstances that attempted to take over my life…that is, until God gave me a clear picture on what that appeared to be at the time.
 
In my mind’s eye, I saw a so-called place of refuge; but this refuge that was surrounded by a fierce storm was broken down. The ceiling and walls weren’t secure, so the blunt of the storm I was facing was still whipping me around. I was afraid and felt lost in this so-called place of refuge and there was no warmth to these moments or arms of love to shelter me and comfort me, while the storm raged around me.
 
For several years of my life, I remained sheltered within this broken down circumstance. I guess that was my way of giving into a circumstance that seemed to have control at the time. Even though I longed for a better place of refuge, I just didn’t have the strength to leave where I was at that time…and even if I did; then where was I going to go?
 
Finally one day the walls and ceiling of this so-called place of refuge that I had found in my circumstance was beginning to fall apart even more and life became even more difficult than before the time I took refuge there.
 
As I cried out for help, I began to see arms reaching out through the cracks of the walls…and as I began to feel more desperate and afraid, I began to leave the shelter that I had been in for many years…to run towards the arms that were reaching out to me. As I fell into these strong and loving arms that had been beaconing me, I began to feel lifted up above the storm, as these arms became wrapped around me. From there, the wind that had tossed me to and fro, for many years of my life had become calm, as I felt myself being drawn into a shelter that was made from the arms that had taken hold of me. There I remained, until the storm had passed by and as everything began to quiet down; those arms that had held me close were now opening, as I was being placed on a path that was full of sunshine and beautiful flowers…and even though the storms come from time to time; the arms that once saved me from a storm that was so out of control...continue to shelter me once more.
 
One thing I have come to see through time; is that no one can escape the storms that come our way…just as we can’t escape moments here on earth that change from sunny days to the dark clouds, rain and thunder of a harsh storm; but I have truly come to see that there is a refuge to run to…one whose arms of love can shelter us…sustain us and protect us, from the damaging winds and evil bolts of lightning that attempt to destroy us…and those arms belong to Jesus Christ.
 
As we close our time together, may I encourage you to never seek refuge in a broken down circumstance…because these shelters aren’t safe and will never keep you protected from the harshness of a storm. Today…why not run into loving arms that can lift you above the storm; to a place where you can be free from the fierce moments that are attempting to take you down.
 
Remember…Jesus is already waiting to help you; but first, you must choose to run away from the circumstance and the broken down moments that will only worsen and lead you to further moments of defeat. Instead of looking deep into a circumstance…whose only aim is to destroy; why not look for the loving arms that are being held out…just for you…arms that you can run into…arms that will take you away from the storm.
Many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
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