Captivated
A sunset. A mountain range. A historic painting. A newly engaged gal enthralled with her brilliant diamond. A precious newborn. An unexpected gift. Some things in life take our breath away. Some things halt our hearts and attention at a standstill! But truthfully, nothing should captivate or grip our gaze more than the beauty of the Lord. On this side of eternity, we have yet to see Him in all of His splendor. We have yet to look upon His face, but…
…we have the privilege of beholding His handiwork each day.
Do you notice His handiwork in your boss? Your husband or children? Is your attention drawn to how God is moving miraculously in areas of prayer and requests? Are you astounded by His goodness and thankful for His great grace?
What about Who He is and what He does captivates you? Are you rendered silent or motionless? Are you awestruck or brought to tears?
The majesty of His goodness and greatness is multiplied when we take notice.
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
Since I was a little girl, I always loved to be at church, (and it was a good thing, because we were there pretty much every time the doors were open!!!) There was joy in His home, and I could sense His presence. I witnessed amazing miracles, signs, and wonders which have left major imprints on my life. Even in my teen years, when I may have drug my feet a little, begging for more sleep on a Sunday. But, once at church, I echoed the Psalmist’s plea. “Let me just stay here, Lord. I love to be in Your house.” I would be ushered into His presence with singing and enriched by His Word. I was captivated by Christ. So much so, that my Sundays became my intended everydays.
New Testament covenant allows us to be the temple, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), therefore carrying the Lord’s beauty and splendor with us everywhere. Keeping this provision in mind, the position of our heart should remain in a constant state of beautiful bewilderment, staying captivated by the King.
However, we can all “fall short of his glory” and get distracted by the everyday musings instead of “keeping our eyes fixed.” I am just as guilty. I may be trucking along through the day, when I feel the reigns of the Holy Spirit on the bridle of my heart, slowing me to a trot to re-engage my heart to gaze on His beauty. It’s a reset button for sure! Keeping my eyes fixed on Him helps me to not focus on carnal or worldly things, but instead on what is eternal.
As we approach 2024 with renewed and “fashioned” hope for the year, the PennDel Women’s theme we will carry in our hearts and upon our minds is “Captivated,” based on 1 John 4:16:
“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” 1 John 4:16
Oh, to trust in the love of God, is to rely, lean into and gaze upon with delight! Let His love captivate your heart oh, woman of God, and let 2024 be a year to remember! Dedicate this year to Him and watch what He will do!
