.jpg)
Ansbach, Germany
This is the courtyard of what is known as the Residenz der Markgrafen zu Brandenburg-Ansbach (Residence of the Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach). If you view the courtyard from above you would note that the Residenz is symmetrical and that the only way into the courtyard is through the palace.
In essence, everyone in the courtyard was protected from the outside world.
What are the walls with which you protect your life?
* An attitude of overconfidence?
* A stoic shell?
* A laugh-at-anything demeanor?
All of us carry scars from the past. Some of these scars are of our own doing and others are the result of pain we suffered at the hands of others. We don't want to feel the pain of the past so we set up walls that prevent this pain from entering our courtyard.
"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." Psalm 34:15 English Standard Version
These walls we erect can't keep out the pain, and often contribute to the experience of more pain. Rather than trusting in the walls, God calls us to trust his promise. God's ears lean into the cries of his people, and knowing that his eyes are on the righteous transcends the pain we experience.
I'm not saying that we ought to act naively and let down the gates, opening ourselves to being hurt. I'm suggesting that we hold on to the promise of the one who was exposed to our sin. I'm suggesting that we trust God's attentiveness to our pain and struggles.
His eyes of compassion and his ears of mercy are attuned and focused on us.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
In essence, everyone in the courtyard was protected from the outside world.
What are the walls with which you protect your life?
* An attitude of overconfidence?
* A stoic shell?
* A laugh-at-anything demeanor?
All of us carry scars from the past. Some of these scars are of our own doing and others are the result of pain we suffered at the hands of others. We don't want to feel the pain of the past so we set up walls that prevent this pain from entering our courtyard.
"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." Psalm 34:15 English Standard Version
These walls we erect can't keep out the pain, and often contribute to the experience of more pain. Rather than trusting in the walls, God calls us to trust his promise. God's ears lean into the cries of his people, and knowing that his eyes are on the righteous transcends the pain we experience.
I'm not saying that we ought to act naively and let down the gates, opening ourselves to being hurt. I'm suggesting that we hold on to the promise of the one who was exposed to our sin. I'm suggesting that we trust God's attentiveness to our pain and struggles.
His eyes of compassion and his ears of mercy are attuned and focused on us.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
No comments:
Post a Comment