God's Proclaimation of Love

I had lunch yesterday with my brother and his family. He is a pretty special guy. He will be introducing me at my upcoming NYC book signing. That's because if it wasn't for John, the book would not have been written. It is John who taught me that even something as seemingly mundane as radio towers can be fraught with beauty, mystery, and intrigue. He taught me to open my eyes to a hunk of metal and hear the call of the past linking arms with the future. He is the one who had the faith that I would do something worthwhile with a subject I knew nothing about, and frankly had no interest in. I have John to thank for my book The Tower Builder, and thus ultimately, for the exciting adventure about to ensue in Manhattan for my book signing.

God uses a similar tactic. God gives us a whole world, and then tells us, "You are beloved! You are special! You can do wonderful things and I will be with you!" Sometimes what He asks of us is completely outside our comfort zone. We wonder why He chose us for the assignment. We know we cannot do it, no matter how hard we try, and we try to squirm out of it. But then He whispers, "I created you. I love you. I am here, all around you and within you. Trust me and do what you have been called to do. I will never leave you nor forsake you."

He reminded me of that as I sat down this morning, thinking with some anxiety about the Manhattan Book Signing. I am also to give a talk, per the sponsoring firm's request. I have been practicing each day with much fear and trepidation. I am not a speaker. I am an introvert, and easily lose my train of thought with the spoken word. If I use notes, it is worse. I become robotic and never connect with my audience. If I don't use notes, I may stand there for twenty painful, silent minutes like a deer caught in headlights, waiting for the truck to just smash me to smithereens rather than come up with the next course of action.

So feeling increasingly terror-stricken as the big day (Thursday) approaches, I had awaken before the sun rose. I was sitting down to write my blog, and noticed a rosy light settling over the room. I quietly crept outside, and this is what I saw.  God sent me this this morning.

As I looked gratefully at the sky bursting with light and color, I felt insignificant, but in a good way. Nothing I could do or not do could begin to compare to the grandeur, the scale, the majesty, the significance of God's incredible world and revelation. Yet, somehow, but a tiny speck on God's horizon, I had the overwhelming sense that He had nonetheless sent that magnificent sunrise just for me.
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PS- The Tower Builder is available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JXP8B72. You may also attend the Thursday, Nov. 13 book signing at 1140 Broadway, 6th floor, New York, NY by invitation by contacting me or calling Meridian for an invitation at: 212-431-8643
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Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 28:20 

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Romans 8:38-39 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.