I wonder as I wander. I wander as I wonder. My mind wanders to how I should spend my time, my money and my gifts this season. I wonder what I should give to others. What I want for myself. I wonder how much my wandering thoughts take me away from the One who inspires awe. Will I wander to Bethlehem or will I walk with intent?
How does one wander and wonder without doubt? How can this
wonderful season cause so much tension in me? One minute I marvel and witness
the miracle of birth. The next I wander into doubt and fear, wondering if I
will ever be still and know. Will I ever trust completely? Or will I meander
off into self-pity or selfish pride? Will I pretend that everything is
wonderful, when in reality the world rubs off and keeps me wandering into fields
where there is no Shepherd?
A sheep lost without a Shepherd is my deepest fear. Yet, I
marvel that He finds me every time. He leaves the flock and I am found once
again.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.
(Isaiah 53:6 The Message)
AMEN.
ReplyDeleteLinking in from Lisa Jo.
Taking one step at a time. Remembering He cares for you.
He tends his flock like a shepherd, He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11.
Wondering how He does all this - but knowing He does.
Blessings,
Jan
Thanks for stopping by Jan...and for the WORD encouragement...I love that picture of Jesus carrying us close to his heart...yes one step at a time...
DeleteI love that carol: I Wonder as I Wonder, and hear the tune in my head as I write. I love your play on words throughout this post, expressed in truth. You make me think. In my Christmas newsletter this year, I refer to the shepherds as the "wondering keepers of wandering sheep." I wonder if our Good Shepherd wonders about *His* wandering sheep. Sometimes, I'm amazed that He puts up with me. But you remind me Kel that He has sought me and that He always goes looking for me, when I go wandering off. Frankly, He doesn't even have to look. He *always* knows where I am. What a comforting, wonder-filled thought! Journey on to Bethlehem!
ReplyDeleteLynni
Lynni- I too had the carol in mind today...and so true He always knows where each one of us have wandered to or not wandered...I love word play! Now onto the weekend and new Advent{ures} next week.
DeleteWonder-ful post Kel! When I picture myself "wandering too far" in this new time of freedom for me, I see a picture of myself on HIS hand and never getting anywhere near the edge, because is is simply much TOO BIG for me to ever fall off.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog!
Susie
Susie-that is a great visual of God's immense hand...
DeleteOh Kel, I've been listening to a Christmas CD by Jewel and she sings I Wonder as I Wander....Peter Paul and Mary also sing it--it's fun to hear different versions. I always picture the shepherds wandering around in the desert, looking up at the night sky and asking "What IS that Star? Could this be the King?"
ReplyDeleteThere's so much wonder in the way you have written about wonder and added wander.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wander a lot and He always find me too. I don't want to be off the coral without my Shepherd coming after me. But please don't think I do it by intention, I mean wandering off from the flock, to test the Shepherd. It is just so comfortable to know that He is always there to lead me where there is fresh water and green grasses.
Beautiful, Kel.