I’ve been thinking a lot about tents lately. For my last birthday, my husband gave me a pop-up tent to use at the beach when I visit parents in Florida. It makes a little oasis of shade and solitude. It can even be entirely shut for privacy to change into a swimsuit.
And last month, while I was sick with strep throat, I watched Harry Potter movies off and on for days. I love the scene in Goblet of Fire when Harry stoops to enter the magical tent, which looks like a ratty old thing from the outside. When he straightens, he sees that inside, it’s roomy and well-appointed.
The images came back to me when I read Psalm 61:
Hear my cry, O God -- give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever. Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Psalm 61:1-4 God's tent is better than any magical one in a book. Think what it contains! A solid rock to stand on and help us a gain perspective. A refuge from storms too strong for us. A tower of strength as a base for advance or retreat when we battle enemies. A nurturing shelter when we need a place to hide and heal. A forever home. I know there have been many times when I cried while I prayed. I felt isolated and alone. Maybe it wasn't the "ends of the earth," but still, far from the happy life of "normal" families who didn't battle mental illness. Weakness shook my inner being. And yet, when I called to God, He opened the flap of His tent and invited me to crawl inside. And there I found what I needed, and so much more than I expected: healing, hope, even joy. Maybe your heart is faint today. And maybe God's tent looks a little plain, or even a little small in comparison to your big hurt. Can you exercise a tiny bit of faith and give His provision a chance? Will you have the courage to stoop and enter?
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