“Jesus was abrupt: “Clear out! This girl isn’t dead. She’s sleeping.” They told him he didn’t know what he was talking about. But when Jesus had gotten rid of the crowd, he went in, took the girl’s hand, and pulled her to her feet—alive. ” – Matthew 9:25 (MSG)
Jesus sees you in the middle of the crowd. In those noisy spaces where fear and insecurity overwhelm and you aren’t sure why you even bother. It’s in the crowded chaos that we can feel insignificant and asleep – like the world is passing us by and we’re too small, too quiet, too normal to do anything extravagant for the Kingdom. It’s in those places where our culture beats a loud drum of lies into our heads that trickle into our hearts that we believe the lie that we are dead. We have nothing more to offer. Nothing of significance or value. Our lives – wasted. Because we don’t have those numbers or her platform or that contract or that Pinterest perfect life.
And in the middle of it all – God sees. Jesus reaches a healing hand out to you and speaks life and healing and wholeness into the very broken and dying parts of our hearts. He pulls you to your feet if you’ll let Him just take your hand for one second and every lie and insecurity falls away like crowd He sends away.
Maybe you’re in a season where it feels lonely, like God has closed doors and taken you on a journey into the wilderness. What if..instead..He’s leaning in close, just the two of you, no crowd, no distraction, no noise – so He can breath life back into your soul? You are alive, my friend. Let’s do some Kingdom work.
End.
I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker and the Five Minute Friday community today! If you’re stopping over from the link-up, welcome! And don’t forget – my Le Crueset giveaway is still going on! You have until Monday to enter, so head over here to do that before you leave 🙂
“It’s in the crowded chaos that we can feel insignificant and asleep – like the world is passing us by and we’re too small, too quiet, too normal to do anything extravagant for the Kingdom.” Yes! So often I think we (meaning I) fall into the trap of being scared to death we’re leading unimportant lives.
Savoring these words this morning. I so am in this season. Blessings!
Beautiful, Crystal. Thanks for sharing!
Love this, Crystal. I thought about the woman who pressed into Him in the crowd because she thought if she just touched the hem of his garment she would be healed. Sometimes I think that too…if I could just touch the hem.
This means so much to me: “It’s in those places where our culture beats a loud drum of lies into our heads that trickle into our hearts that we believe the lie that we are dead.” Because, my word for 2014 is “live”, and I have felt “dead” instead. I need the reminder that sometimes in the silence God is actually “breathing life into my soul.” These were life-giving words!
Praying you would be renewed in that silence, Chandra!
Your words are so life breathed, Crystal. Love reading here.
Love having you join me on the sofa, friend 🙂
Yes, let’s do some Kingdom work. I’m all in.
Love doing this work alongside you!
Amen. (I’m shouting that in my head. Don’t want to scare the hubby!)
Ha! Love that 😀
I think I feel His whisper breath on my cheek.
The joy of leaning in close 🙂
love your sweet words, my friend xxoo
{{hugs}}
“He’s leaning in close, just the two of you, no crowd, no distraction, no noise – so He can breath life back into your soul?” – Crystal, I’m right there…separating my self from the crowd, leaning in and listening hard…for all the right reasons. Happy to visit you today.
Love having you here Lisha!
well, when you put it that way….bring on the wilderness 🙂 Loved this, Crystal!
Right?! It kind of makes it feel more “retreat” and less “stranded” 🙂
Oh wow! I think I may need to print this off and keep it close for those times I need to read these words again. You are such an encourager, Crystal!
Ha! Print away, friend 🙂
Your words were such a good hug for my heart this morning…thank you, sweet friend. 🙂
and seeing your sweet face pop up on my screen is like a big hug right back 🙂
Oh such a good reminder! I love how the stories of Scripture weave together 🙂
This is so encouraging. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from FMF.
Welcome Michelle! Thanks so much for visiting 🙂
Oh man!! What if He’s leaning in close… just the two of you… Undone by this! B.E.A.U.T.F.U.L.
YOU are beautiful, friend 🙂
Oh THIS is beautiful!! I saw the prompt today but just didn’t have words….these are all that I needed to read!! Thank you!
I wasn’t sure I did either – and then God wouldn’t let these leave my head 🙂
“What if..instead..He’s leaning in close, just the two of you, no crowd, no distraction, no noise – so He can breath life back into your soul?” WOW! I’ve read your blog for a while now along with some others and I’ve never commented before. But these words? Beyond Beautiful. Thank you.
Oh I’m so glad you commented today Louanne!
Precious points…thank you for this perspective. ♡
{hug} thanks Jennifer 🙂
Me too! These words spoke straight to my heart… and the line that stands out to me is ‘every lie and insecurity falls away like the crowd he sends away.’ What a call to life! Thank you, Crystal.
Thank you, Ruth!
Yes, I acknowledge I am in that season. You wrote this to me! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing that with me, Jen!