Slipping Away

In the midst of the business of the day,
The demands of the massive crowds,
The pleas for rescue from the infirmities of sickness and disease,
Yes, in the midst of tremendous need and demand...

Jesus slipped away...
Slipped away to pray...

He slipped away to that secret place
That place where He could snuggle up in the arms of His Father,
That place where He was reminded of the truth,
That place that was safe to leave all His cares and concerns,
That place where He knew He was completely loved, completely accepted....

And then He returned
To the crowds, the demands, the chaos...
He returned strengthened...refreshed...
Happy and triumphant...
Ready to continue pouring out His life of love.

Jesus did what I need to do
In the midst of my everyday,
Even when I physically can't retreat...
I can hide away in that secret place with Jesus,
And turn my eyes to gaze upon Him,
And allow His truth and affection to wash over me...

Yes, when I remember
To slip away
In the business of my day
To my secret place...

I return to my duties
With renewed strength,
I receive answers to my problems,
Peace reigns instead of worry,
And the song of my Savior is on my lips...

"In His shelter in the day of trouble, that's where you will find me,
For He hides me here in His holiness.
He has me snuggled in His secret place where I am safe and secure
out of the reach of my enemies." Psalms 27:5

Radiant Hope

Lord, You are our radiant hope...

A hope that is glowing with promise, with sunshine,
A hope with expectations of overflowing goodness...

It is not a hope that barely believes
With doubts, fears, or anxious thoughts,
With thoughts of the hoped for to be extremely slim in coming to be.
No, radiant hope is not a famine,
A famine surrounded with a hope in self or a report, or the news.

No, radiant hope is wide...broad...joyful...strong...
Hoping in a Strength within
Put there by a knowledge and trust in a God who is good, a God who is kind,
A God who is able.
Radiant hope...is confident
In a God who cares, a God who hears,
A God who is love,
A God who is strong,
A God who is willing to bless and prosper...

Radiant hope holds on...rejoicing, dancing, singing...

Yes, the Lord alone gives me radiant hope...
My trust is in Him!