February 7, 2000
Jason Moore

Word:

"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
--Psalm 30:5

"In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are ,y rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth."
--Psalm 31:1-5

Poem:

Guide Me Home
--By Jason D. Moore--

-July 9, 1998-

When I feel lost and do not know where I am or where I am going,
I think to myself that I shouldn't be afraid because I'm not alone, God is with me.
But I am afraid, because I FEEL so alone.
I need to remember that I am here because God has brought me here.
There IS a purpose for me.
I may not know what it is or where this unknown purpose will lead me,
But I must allow God to be the Wind in my sails to give me strength and direction
for my journey through life.
Thank you for leading me to this place where I feel lost
so I can see and feel your light to guide me home again. Amen

Thought:

In our day to day lives we are presented with many obstacles to keep us from being whole people of God. We get into arguments with parents, friends, teachers. We even struggle internally with our own thoughts and feelings. We feel so lost and helpless, like we are fighting all alone. We feel like everything is just going speedily out of control.

What we tend to forget is that we do have someone to turn to...God. God gives us challenges to help us grow, not to break us down. The pain we may feel is only temporary because God promises to take care of us and to deliver us from hardship. What we have to do is allow God to do what God is going to do. God's purpose for each and everyone of us is different and we aren't necessarily supposed to know what is in store for us. We must keep the faith that we've gained and struggle to gain a stronger sense of God's presence.

One summer when I was at a gathering of Christian youth to do some legislative type stuff, I hit a real low point in my faith. I felt like I was in this place where no one wanted me to be and God put me there to do something important and it wasn't possible for me to do. I was so alone and it hurt so bad. I began to wonder whether or not God was actually talking to me or whether or not I was just making it up. It was a real struggle. I sat down by the lake and just prayed for a while. Then I began to write and soon it became pretty clear. I had been misreading God's signals to me. I hadn't been put in that place to do something greatly important, I was put in that position to challenge my faith and to re-focus myself. I had been taking my spiritual life for granted and I needed to be in such a low point to allow myself to find God again and to allow God to do as God wanted.

My Hebrew Bible professor drew a diagram on the board that showed a horizontal line and a sine curve like line underneath. The bottom, curvy, line was our lives. Full of ups and downs and twists and turns. All is chaotic and uncertain. However, on top is God. That line is straight and unwavering. God is unconcerned with how things will turn out because everything is already known. Through all of the ups and downs, God is the steady and constant presence, whether we know it or not.

We need to surrender all of our bad times and struggles, as well as our blessings and positive realities, to God and put our trust and faith in God's unknown purpose. Even though it may take time, God will reveal God's self to you in time. So, be strong and of good courage to take the step towards God's will and grace for you. Allow God to open your eyes and hearts to a new world of love!

Prayer:

O God,
Please enter our hearts and open them to your grace. Walk with us always and carry us during those times when we cannot walk alone. When we are lost and do not know where we are or where we are going, please be the wind in our sails, giving us strength and direction for our journey's through life. Help us to find you in the midst of chaos and show us your light and love, to guide us home to you again.
Amen.