He Lifts Me Up

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. –Psalm 40:1,2

I’m convinced God has a sense of humor – actually, I think He probably has hefty one. When I look around His creation and see things like slugs, I have to chuckle. What’s the purpose? Imagine your life as a slug.

The Father has blessed me with some incredible people in my life. One twenty year friend banters with me daily via email. I look forward to his notes knowing I’ll end up swiping tears of laughter. It’s always something.

He recently offered to share some of his personal pre-college day employment ventures, one of which was working for a sewage company. So, I immediately began to laugh and I hadn’t even read the email. He continues to tell me about searching for a busted sewer line in the woods, and that he was the fortunate one to luck upon it. How did he know he’d found it? When he was knee deep in…well…sludge. This was probably not when I should have begun laughing but I did. He finished telling me his adventure and then remarked, “Let’s see you make a devotion out of that story.”

Believe it or not I heard God laughing, and when I lifted my laughter toward heaven, the Father said, “I can use that – really I can.”

My smile dropped as I replied, “You’re serious, aren’t you?.”

“You bet ya!” That’s when it hit me at the number of times I’ve been neck deep in some sort of sludge. You know, either going into a crisis, in the middle of one, or coming out of a crisis. Still, it’s sludge. In fact, I’m trudging through some pretty thick waters now. I put my hand on my hip, and tapped my toe, not believing that God had taken this hilarious story and drove it home. He sweetly reminded me at the numerous times He’d lifted me from the depths and placed me firmly on solid ground. Over and over I’ve cried to the top of my voice, and He hears me.

He may not pull me out, but He certainly has never allowed me to sink deeper than I can pull myself clear. God is an amazing God, and when we really pay attention to the ways He cares for us, we’re awed. I know God laughs. I know he rolls His eyes and groans when I tell a joke that only I find funny, and more so, I know He laughs out loud when Mark tells a story.

Though His laughter He reminds me that He hears my every breathe, feels my every thought, knows every need, and basks in the joy of His children’s playful banter. Yes, God is an amazing God and He is a faithful God – never failing to lift me up when I am in need.

Prayer: Lord, hear me when I cry and toss me a rope.