Devotionals

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... did not turn to the right hand or to the left ...
2 Chronicles 34:2


This is not the first time I’ve read these words, nor is Josiah the first man they have been spoken about. Though, he is one of the few. Something in that truth grieves my soul. A lingering ache, deep in the middle of my chest, grows stronger as I think on the message there. And I want to turn away, to other kinder, gentler thoughts. But a falling tear forbids me go. Not my tear. But a tear spilling from Heaven, pooling at my feet, and the ache in my chest tightens.

I find myself awash in the cascading tears, some bearing hints of scarlet as the pool around my feet grows, soaking my garments, pricely garments white as snow purchased on my behalf. The ache’s intensity moves upward, clutching my throat.

Words spoken before these are a much familiar field. ... did what was right in the sight of the Lord ... A field where self congratulations grows, where complacency takes root. ...walked in the ways of his Father... A safer, kinder field containing a life time of my own footprints.

But now I recognize that field in which I’ve tried to live as a field endangered, left unhedged each time I’ve turned to the right hand or to the left. And there have been those times, too many of those times. And the tears that yet fall from heaven’s eyes, pooling still about me, now find themselves mixed with mine as I kneel within their cleansing waters.



So many, many times, Lord, when You’ve presented me the cup to drink, I’ve left it untouched. Turning to the right or to the left I’ve sought different nectar...nectar of my choosing. Or dressed in the comfort of ‘doing right,’ of ‘walking in Your ways,’ my eyes have left the path, unaware of turning feet, forgetting the garment from heaven’s wardrobe adorns my frame because of Another’s unwavering obedience. O Precious Lord, fix my heart ever firmly to Yours. Let these feet never again stray. Let them remain strangers of ‘the right’ ... strangers of ‘the left.’ Let steadfastness be the only footwear my feet know. And where tears once fell, watering my way, may grace’s covering find a eternal home.


© 10 June 2005
DeAnna L. Brooks

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