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Refreshment in Refuge
by Gina Burgess
(An excerpt from my book)
Jesus is the physical side of God. He is the one that we can relate to so He is the one that we are betrothed to.
I am so in love with Him that I cannot fathom how deep my love is and where His love begins. I cannot fathom how His Spirit has made my soul so vibrantly alive that I am not alone for He is constantly with me. Power and Glory and Majesty is He, but more also is He. Only Jesus, only God can pour righteousness over me as fragrant oil...and through nothing that I do, it is just His love that makes me pure. He does this for me because He loves me.
He raises His sword and destroys all fear and conquers my insecurity.
He is my God, my King, my Beloved, Ruler of my heart--tender and sweet is He.
Because He wept at His friend’s grave, He understands my grief as my tears roll down His fingers and my trembling chin is lifted by His palm.
His eyes so full of love spread healing balm throughout my being. He is there because…
Because He had no place to lay His head, He knows the weariness of my body.
Because He walked with feet bare and dusty, He knows the pain in my feet.
Because He held a baby, He knows my love for my children.
Because He stilled the sea, He knows the storms in my heart.
Because He knew hunger, He knows my hatred for diets.
Because He built a chair, He knows why I must sit down.
Because He loves me, I am at rest.
Because He died for me, I can enter the throne room of God. That huge splendorous place filled with His train.
I tremble, I shake, and at the Thunder from the Throne I fall to my face. So ashamed am I, so undone. I am so unworthy I cannot look upon His face. The Four Living Creatures protect me from His Glory or I shall cease to exist. I am mute with terror. I have no words for my defense. All my earthly works suddenly appear before the Throne, and shame consumes me. All the wicked words I uttered, all the black deeds I committed, the unbelief, the deliberate turning of my back upon my LORD God, flicker before my face in nanoseconds, too fast to dwell upon. As soon as they flashed by, they burn, and are consumed in Holy Fire from the Bema Seat, like a straw house, or wood primed with kerosene. The shame within me dissipates like fog in bright sunshine never to be remembered or spoken of again.
Then suddenly, a warm hand presses my shoulder and a soft white robe comes between me and the throne. I grab His robe and press my face deep into it. It smells so good, and so clean, and so fresh. It is warm because I feel Him through the soft cloth.
A low voice whispers tender words to me and my terror melts away. His hand slides across my back and He lifts me in His arms so strong, His strength stills the tremors of my terror like His breath stilled the wind and calmed the waves. He looks at The Father and simply says for all to hear, “Father, this one is mine.”
Suddenly gold, silver, and precious, sparkling gems shower around just us two. The Holy Fire flicks tongues of flame around each nugget, testing and trying to consume it to no avail. I know beyond doubt those deeds could never have been done without Christ’s power and blessing, so I gather them in my hands and I see within them kind words, forgiveness, willingness for Him, nurturing of my children, encouraging of friends and siblings, deeds that I had not thought of as ministering. Without thought or pride I offer them to my Savior, and He smiles saying, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”
“Oh how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word.”
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Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.
She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.
If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon
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