Marked for Life: Exactly What You and I Want but Don’t Know It

I am becoming increasingly grateful for the storms of life and the gifts they leave behind … for in them I see God’s love and faithfulness.

I am becoming increasingly grateful for the storms of life and the gifts they leave behind ... for in them I see God's love and faithfulness. Share on X

Marked for Life

Pristine blue waters and silky fine sand beckon me near;

Clouds hanging lazy implore me linger.

Yet seemingly against my will I journey on;

through waves that grow fierce as I walk.

Bending into the wind, I search for relief, begging for an end to the biting cold,

only to stumble onto a rocky shore, scraping shins and stubbing toes.

This isn’t what I signed up for, I scream into the storm.

The return echo whispers, It’s because, my daughter, you signed up for the wrong thing.

I ask for the desires of my heart of stone,

but receive a far greater treasure: a new heart of flesh.

If only I knew its value, then I would quit struggling.

But on I go.

Pebbles and stone action razes smooth the sharp edges of pride.

Torrential rains carve out the spreading rot of self-righteousness.

Buffeting winds rip the strong roots of self-sufficiency from their anchor deep within my heart. 

It’s a life stretched and shaped by elements I’ve longed to avoid.

Yet elements that transform me into one with more patience and joy, kindness and goodness; one who is gentler, increasingly faithful, filled with love and peace, and possessing self-control.

Still at times I find myself clawing and scrambling for comfort and ease. Instead, I’m met with scars and bruises: lingering marks of His deep work of grace.

And finally I begin to see.

Glorious Redemption

I begin to see the glorious redemption of being Marked.

Marked by the One who loves me and wants me for His own.

Marked in a way that will never leave me the same.

Marked with a new heart of flesh.

You see, it looks like I did make a mistake; one most of us make.

It seems I signed up for leisure and fun,

when what I truly wanted all along was Life.

And there was One who knew and made it right.

So now I am becoming increasingly grateful for the storms of life and the gifts they leave behind …

for in them I see His love and faithfulness.

Even more, I am ever grateful that the Lord has considered me worthy of a circumcised heart …

for by that I Live! 

I made a mistake; one most of us make: I signed up for leisure and fun, when what I truly wanted was Life. Share on X

Ever grateful that the Lord has considered me worthy of a circumcised heart...for by that I Live! Share on X

“Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” Deuteronomy 30:6

Reflections: How has God marked your life? How has He marked you for Him?

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “I’m Marked.”  Click on the image below or link above to check them out.

This is also a post in Suzie’s 30 Days to Life Shaking Study. It’s not too late to join, Click on the title or image to find out more or sign up.