Contemplation: Finding the place in you where you are here and now being created by God. Thomas Merton.
This weeks contemplation: Coincidences
— O Glorious Dove
in the presence of Love
O Glorious Dove
i seek His gentle cooing.
that sweet bird call
Morning Song
sings my soul pursuing.
His heart i seek
that Glorious Dove
His grace i daily ponder.
in the cool of the day
hand in hand
with that gentle Dove i wander.
Grace finds me when I need her the most, and she usually brings Beauty with her.
It has been a more challenging week than most. Not only did we receive heart-breaking news about a family member (which I won’t get into here), but I woke up feeling anxious last week for absolutely no reason, and it’s been difficult to shift. I never get anxiety anymore, so this old visitor is an unwelcome one.
But this time I’ve found my response to be different.
I consciously relax my body to ease the tension anxiety brings. I breathe deeply and smile. I put on colourful music (hello Earth, Wind & Fire). I drink less coffee and sip chamomile tea. I stand up straight. I watch comedies.
I rediscovered Boss Ross and now I feel like everything is right in the world.
I consciously sink deeper into Truth (if you’ve read my post from last week you’ll know what I’m talking about). I know this won’t last, and I know my God is with me in all circumstances, and I find a place to rest there.
It isn’t always easy to do these things, I have to remind myself to relax my body almost every minute or two, but the benefits of this practice has been quite good for me.
There are two verses from Scripture that have been in my mind this last week. One talks about a supernatural peace guarding our hearts and minds, and the other encourages us to direct our thoughts toward lovelier things—and they are both found in the same chapter.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4: 4-8
I have had three “sun-breaking-through-the-cloud” moments this week, or what normal people would call coincidences.
I feel like I’ve gone the longest time without seeing them, so three in a week it just so precious to me.
I find these graces happen when the Lord is highlighting something to me. I have also found that it pays off to pay attention to these moments as they usually serve as a sign to point you in the right direction.
A HAMMER & FIRE
The first one is the image of God's Word being like a hammer and fire.
I first read about it in Thomas Watson's book “The Doctrine of Repentance” and I just loved the image of it.
"The Word preached is the engine God uses to bring about repentance. It is compared to a hammer and to fire (Jeremiah 23:29): one to break, the other to melt the heart. What a great blessing it is to have the Word, which is of such virtue, poured out on us!”
Thomas Watson, The Doctrine of Repentance, pg. 15
I'd never heard the Word be described like that before. I don’t remember having read it either.
I then heard it on a podcast I was listening to (which I can’t remember the name of now), and I thought, oh wow! Here it is again.
And then the very next day — I came across that exact verse in my daily bible reading in Jeremiah.
Three times in a matter of days after never having heard it before.
If you know anything about me you’ll know my absolute adoration of the Bible. I’ve been to Bible College twice, I even learnt ancient Hebrew so I could read the Old Testament in its original language too, so this image is just speaks sweetly to my soul.
God seems to be highlighting this word image to me, so I expect I’ll be writing a newsletter about this in the future!
FIRM FOUNDATION
The second one is on the "firm foundation".
I wrote about building your life on the firm foundation of Truth last week on Substack, only for us to sing a song on it at church on Sunday!
I've still got joy in chaos
I've got peace that makes no sense
So I won't be going under
I'm not held by my own strength
'Cause I've built my life on Jesus
He's never let me down
He's faithful in every season
So why would He fail now?
Firm Foundation (He's Gonna Make A Way), by Maverick City Music
Considering the week I’ve had (but really, this whole year has been a challenge), what a beautiful reminder to hold fast to Christ in the midst of difficulty.
I also see it as a confirmation from Jesus that this series I’m writing on Identity is perfectly timed. So a reminder to both me and to you, is your life built on the firm foundation of Truth?
A DIRECT ANSWER TO PRAYER
The third one is a direct answer to my prayers for the peace that “surpasses understanding”.
On Monday I was feeling very anxious and restless in spirit. I chose to have my lunch outside, hoping to enjoy the sun and let the cool winter breeze clear out my head.
I sat down on a bench and prayed while I ate. I asked God to shift the anxiety and to bring the peace the guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I was on the verge of tears when my eye was caught by a taxi pulling up. I watched as a man got in (a very ordinary moment) but then I noticed the sticker on the cars bumper.
It was the Jesus = Love sticker.
Not only have I never seen this sticker on a car before, but it was the exact same style and colour that my boyfriend has tattooed on his arm!
Immediately, a flood of peace came over me (and I then burst into tears of relief! haha). I couldn’t believe it!
I love it when the Creator reminds you that He really does see you.
This week has served to lead me even further into thankfulness and praise of Jesus, and I am truly thankful for it.
It’s been tough. My family is going through a real season of trial (prayers would be appreciated), but I just keep holding on to the TRUTH that God is good, His plan is way better than mine, and He is fully trustworthy in every season.
God’s Word is so good at breaking my misconceptions about life while melting my heart again towards the beauty of Christ. It reminds me again to keep standing on the firm foundation, because I follow a God who sees me.
With so much love,
x Zara
You know I love these stories. They are so personal, the timing so accurate that only you would really know the full depth of its meaning, and so amazing that the Source of them would pursue you despite the weakness you feel at the time. It’s God’s Hesed loving-kindness 🥹