Where can I go from your presence?

Hi from Costa Rica!

Today the Lord encouraged me to do a rewrite of a few verses in Psalms 139 I have been meditating on! A rewrite is rephrasing and pouring out what the Lord is speaking through scripture, and a way to put his faithfulness into tangible and personal evidence. So I pray it encourages you and I encourage you to try it with scripture that you feel encouraged by in this season! 

Psalm 139:1-12:

1 Abba, here is my heart, every page is available to you, the author, potter, and sculptor of all I am. 

2 Every part of me is yours. I am ALL IN, and never going back. Even my inmost thoughts, you know before they become audible; you can read my heart’s true feelings from your throne room.

3 You know which direction I will go in, whether I am running away from you or towards before I even take a step.

4 Before I speak, my words are known to you, even the words I choose to withhold you know. 

5 There is nowhere I can go where you are not. Your omnipresence encompasses me. Your spirit is before me: in my future, in my tomorrows, in my dreams, and behind me: in my past, in my pain, in my confusion. Your right hand has guided me and laid out plans for my life. All I am called to do is say yes and amen to your obedience. Your hand has held me in protection, peace, hope, and deliverance. 

6 I can not even begin to fathom your omniscience: it will never be in my reach but how comforting is that. My heart overflows with awe that I can not figure you out. You exceed my limits, who am I to question you? 

7-10 There is nowhere on heaven or earth where you are not. Your spirit is everywhere. I see you in the birds above and around me, in the breeze, in the clouds, in the air filling my lungs. I see you in the smiles of gap I, in new life, and baptisms. I see you in Kaylin and Abby’s heart to selflessly spend their whole day cooking a thanksgiving meal for us. I see you in Avery, our ministry host, leading the youth band with joy. I see you in amelia bringing me a cup of coffee in the morning, in savannah, grant, and I talking about family traditions. I see you in the excitement of dreaming with the Lord with Amy and kalyssa. I see you in Abby’s heart for her sister. I see you in the joy of communion. I see you in the laughter that makes your stomach hurt while waiting for the dinner cooked by a different team each night. I see you in painting light posts to color up a dark city and inviting locals and tourists to paint with us as they walk by. I see you in the homeless stopping by to paint with us. I see you in the youth at the church talking about how their weeks have been going. I see you in celebration of birthdays and tattoos. I see you in the sunsets,  sunrises, and the roaring of the sea. I see you through intentional and deep conversations with my team and the squad. I see you in the future and the plans you have for me here in Jaco. I see you through coffee excursions and locals. I see you in every single person I talk to. I hear you and see you everywhere it’s beautifully deafening. Thank you for never leaving us. Your grasp on me is irrevocable and for that, I am forever thankful Abba. 

11-12 Even in my darkest seasons and deepest pain you have brought abundant joy. I trust in your story. I trust in your character. I am in reverent awe of you Abba. There is no trial I can claim you weren’t in. I trust all things truly do work together for the good of those who love you and with that the truth: Joy comes in the morning. 

It is so easy to see the Lord here in Jaco, and as we leave on the 6th of December for our next city and ministry host in Costa Rica. I am expectant and anticipatory to see Him there.  I challenge you today to look around and I promise you will see the Lord.

In Christ’s Love, Emily.