Chaos

 In the Bible translation, The Message, Psalm 51:10,12 reads, "God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails." 

These were the words of David, the king of Israel, whose life was in ruins, and all by his own actions. In rapid order he had seduced and committed adultery with the wife of his most loyal soldier, Uriah. When every attempt at covering up this sin failed, he had Uriah killed. Adultery, deception, murder. The result, in David's own words, was chaos. The Bible says that "God made the world a place to be lived in, not to be a place of chaos." Lived in. Not to exist in, but to live in as we were created by Him to live. In His abundance, joy, peace, and wholeness.

Your life may be in ruins today. Chaos may be reigning in it. Whether this is the result of your own choices or the actions of another or many others, would you dare to believe that God can, in Jesus Christ, make a "fresh start" in you? Read the creation account in Genesis 1. One translation says that "He hovered over the chaos of creation." Out of that chaos He created beauty and wonder beyond description. What might He do with the chaos and ruin of your life if you'll place it all in His hands?

I know something of chaos. There was a period where, as it was with Job, one disaster after another was taking place. I was being rocked by relational, financial, and situational chaos. Panic was pounding at my door, bringing with it its companion, despair. Yet, just as He came to the disciples in the chaos of the storm that threatened to drown them and calmed the sea, so did He enter into my chaos. As He delivered them, so He delivered me. He came to them. He came to me. He'll come to you.....no matter how intense the chaos, no matter how deep the darkness and despair.

Too many today are living in what David called "gray exile." Are you? Would you be released from the gnawing, colorless life that you find it impossible to escape from? A prison cell that every key you've tried has failed to open. He holds the key to that cell. He will bring you out into His freedom and fullness. He will breathe a fresh wind into your spirit. He will transform your world into a place that you can live in. Live as He created you to live. Let your "sails" be empty of all that is not Him so that He may fill them with all that is. Step into your Genesis week.

In his gray exile, David fell to his knees, broken before his God. Broken by his own choices and actions. In repentance he sought forgiveness, wholeness, and restoration. He found them in Him. If your own exile is the result of your choices, your rebellion, your sin, won't you do the same. He brings no condemnation. He brings life and healing. Won't you have it? 

No matter the reason for your exile, if you call to Him, He'll come to you there, take hold of you, and lead you out.....into the world and life He means for you to live in. Yes, it will have imperfections, challenges, and trouble, but it will be filled with Him, who is Lord over them all. A life founded on His hope, joy, peace, and love. A life that chaos can't overcome. The chaos has already been conquered. The exile ended in Him. 

Blessings,
Pastor O