Hi Friends!
Happy 2023! My original plan was to post this during the month of January. Between a busy schedule, a snow storm, the flu, and an ice storm… it just didn’t happen. So here we are in February (wow!) and I decided to just drop a quick post, nothing crazy, to share this thought that has been on my heart.
Last year, I was talking with a dear friend who was walking through some difficulties. She said that despite how tough things had been, the Lord had taken her to new heights with Him. And though I knew exactly what she meant, for I too have experienced His closeness, sweetness, kindness, comfort, and peace during difficult times, I had never heard it put so simply (and so beautifully!)
I’ve thought about that phrase often since then. It goes right along with my personal favorite passage of Scripture. I’ve shared it several times here before, but I’m going to share it again!
“God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is a rock? Only our God. God — he clothes me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me securely on the heights.”
Psalms 18:30-33
There is so much packed into this short passage of Scripture. I could write several more posts on this passage (and maybe I will!) But the part I want to focus on here is the last verse (33).
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me securely on the heights.”
Psalms 18:33
One writer described this as learning to live above our circumstances through Christ because He is our strength. Difficult times often bring about discouragement but this passage shows that we can walk through them unafraid (like a deer on the heights) because we know who walks with us. He keeps us steady and secure because He is steady, secure and so very faithful.
My prayer for myself but also for you in 2023 is that we would experience new heights with Him. Often, it’s the difficulties of life that cause us to experience greater intimacy with our Savior. But He offers us that in every season – not just the difficult ones! And truly there is no greater gift outside of salvation than to continue to walk with Christ and to know Him more deeply.
I read a quote last fall that I haven’t been able to forget. I’ve shared it with some of you already but I’m repeating it here because it’s just that good! It said something like this, “The amazing thing about spending time with Jesus is that it leaves you both satisfied and hungry for more all at the same time.”
I don’t know about you, but I want my year to be marked by His presence. Not because He isn’t always with us – because He is! But I want to deepen my relationship with Him. I want to experience greater intimacy with Him. And I want to be taken to new heights with Him. He is so worthy and nothing else in this world can satisfy the longing heart like my Jesus.
I pray you have a happy + healthy year. But I pray even more that you experience new heights with Him!
– Aimee
That She May Know 