Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

This morning I am resting in front of an early morning fire while recovering from a respiratory virus. Normally, immediately after Thanksgiving the Christmas decor would have come out, replacing all our Fall decor but we are just having to embrace the pace that is set before us. Christmas music is playing in the background and l am bringing to remembrance all of the faithfulness that God that has filled our lives with— through the mountains and the valleys— he has always been present and faithful.

As I sit here, I am pondering how amazing it is that God, the creator of heaven and earth, became a tiny baby. So vulnerable and dependent on two young parents who did not know the way forward. The Son of God embraced the slow and steady pace of growing in Mary’s womb and then of being an infant— sleeping in Mary’s arms, nursing at her breast and spending countless hours just looking into her and Joseph’s faces. He wasn’t in a hurry because he knew time did not dictate the plans of his Father. He had come as Savior of the world but the pace for many years ahead would be like that of a resting heartbeat. His Father was in control and the slow pace was not thwarting God’s plans.

This Christmas season, let’s remember to let God set our pace— rest, linger, breathe and take time to be still— for he is God and his plans will come to pass. Growth happens over time and God’s faithfulness is fully revealed through the seasons and years of our lives.

Revival will come- it too will have a pace that is set by God alone. There are times that we are called to run and we are given strength and endurance to run in those seasons. But taking time to linger in the glow of his love renews us and heals us. It says, “I can be still and know that you are God.”

I can fret at the fact that my body has stopped me from running into the Christmas season and into current ministry opportunities or I can say, “This is the pace that God has called me to embrace today.” I will linger in his faithfulness and healing touch until he says that it’s time to run once again.

God is not in a hurry— for unto us a Savior was born and he grew up at the pace of his Father’s good pleasure and will. Some days we just rest in his arms and enjoy the warmth of his nearness.

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I AM GIVING AWAY GIFTS!!

My new devotional, JOY, is yours for a gift of $10 or more. AND— for any gift of $25 or more I will include the book I co-authored with my husband, The Sounds of Christmas! This is a personal favorite of mine.

*Both books are downloadable links so that you can enjoy them right away.

To give, go to: https://www.inscribeministries.com/contact-us.html

Or, you can mail a gift to: Inscribe Ministries/ 149 NE Ocean Loop, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124 (be sure to include a note giving your email address).