Yearn to Burn or Burn to Yearn

Well, I am certainly thankful to God for many, many things. I seem to get chance after chance (day after day) to improve, grow, whatever you want to call it.

But this last month has been very tough. About a month ago, I had two fender-benders in one week. The 2nd one was far worse than the first. So, I've started walking everywhere. If only that was my biggest problem. . . but that is for another devotional! Anyway, today I went to drive the car to church, and a window was busted out. Someone busted in so they could steal my CD player. They did not seem to take anything else. Too bad. The key to the dratted car was in a compartment. I almost wish the whole thing could have gone away. Perhaps next time.

My room & board mates, Jordyn and Andrea, were with me in the car when the discovery of the break in was made. I wasn't noticably upset; inside, I was just mad at myself a bit. I had to stop the car and close the door that had been opened. Then, I had to stop the car because apparently, they broke into the trunk, though they don't appear to have taken anything, although I have not yet checked for my flute. I had to shut the trunk. As I climbed back in and told Jordyn (in the back) that it was going to be a bit of a cold ride, she said, "Wow. You are really handling this well -- I would have been yelling and whatever." I was glad that I wasn't all that upset -- and immediately thanked God for that. "Well, Jordyn, I could be upset, but it would really be pretty pointless."

As usual, though, God reveals himself in tough circumstances. Like I said, I've been doing alot of walking -- alot. So, this past Friday, I decided to walk to Safeway which is about a 20 - 25 minute walk. Jordyn said, "Don't go! It is pouring outside!" But I have been walking enough that I would miss it if I did not do it. So, I took off out the front door. As I began walking up 117 Street, a funny thing happened. It has happened before, but not for a while. I used to love it when it occurred.

I felt the yearn to burn. That's right. I wanted to feel my legs burn, burn, burn on a run. My legs felt good, the rain (just a drizzle really) did not really bother me, though it was cold. I imagined myself jogging, sprinting, turning curves. The walking has lightened me up a little bit, though it is not really noticable on the outside. And when I lighten up, I want to start running. Soon . . .

I starting thinking about the bible study I started with again the day before, and how grateful I am to get back into it, and how excited I am to start reading the bible for more than just to complete my "reading for the day" kind of thing, and how I know that I am going to experience God's touch. I looked forward to returning from my trip to Safeway to do the day's homework. I felt the burn to yearn. That's right. My heart hurt to yearn, yearn, yearn for God's tangible presence.

If I soon get to feel my legs burn and my heart yearn more and more . . . well, I'm pretty sure that is as close to heaven as I will be able to get on earth.

God, I love you for your faithfulness. You did not cause me to have fender benders. You did not cause my window to be busted in or my possessions stolen. But you took these things and turned them into something good. When I am low, you bring me up again. How could I be anything but grateful to you. I pray that somehow this message gets passed on to someone who needs the same kind of lift. Who needs to have the yearn to burn and / or the burn to yearn reignited in them once again.