by Ed Ostrom

Created on: September 19, 2008   Last Updated: September 21, 2008

The tranquil waters lap against the uneven shoreline. A gentle breeze shakes the silky tassel tops of the lucious grass that has sprung up along the shoreline. In the distance the haunting call of a loon cascades through the soft still air. As I meander along the shore the world about me is awakening to the promise of a new day. My senses are heightened by the beauty that adorns the horizin wherever I look. There is life all about me. The rising sun joyfully calls all of nature to rise up and greet the morning at its zenith.

As I walk along the shore my mind is attuned to the glories of the creation. God's handiwork declares His glory amd majesty to me. I join with the Psalmist David and quietly say "The heavens declare the glory Of God and the firmament shows His handiwork."(Psalm 19:1). The wind mills of my mind turn very slowly as in a meditative and contemplative moods I express my love for the Lord Jesus Christ. As I sit in the presence of the Creator,at the dawning of a new day, I envision the Lord Jesus walking up to me, putting His hand on my shoulder and whispering to me, "Let's talk!"

I wander with Him along the shore. As we walk suddenly the cadence of His voice speaks so calmly and gently to me. I hear Him whisper "i love you! Do you loveme?" Quickly, in staaccato form I reply "Yes Lord, I love You!" Again He looks into my eyes with His riveting and penetrating gaze and softly, but yet so firmly says "I love you! Do you love Me?" Again my heart leaps up quickly and commands my tongue to speak and blurt out a crescendo of emotion, "Yes Lord I Love You!"

As He stands there gazing into my eyes He stretches His arms out wide and whispers "I love you! Do you love Me?" As I see His outstretched arms my mind envisions Him upon the cross willingly in love dying for me. His outstreched arms signifying His death suffered so willingly for me. As I replay that scene over and over again in my mind I hear the voices of a heavenly choir singing in tight harmony:

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down,
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet?
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present fat too small.
Love so amazing so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. (Isaac Watts)

In the moment,aware of the Master's penetrating gaze, hearing His gentle voice, and hearing the heavenly anthem, and conscious of the bauty of nature and the awakening day about me, in love my heart responds "O Lord Jesus I love You! Yes, I really love You! I need Your help to serve You and love You. Live in Me O Lord and help me be what You want me to be. "

Here in the stillnes, at the beginning of another day I meditate on You O Lord and I give myself to You. Come afresh to me. Form Your beauty in me. Mold and shape Your love in me this day. O Lord make me Your servant I pray. Help me show forth Your beauty Lord today."

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