ARISE

I climbed into my watchtower …

By: Susan Deborah Schiller

From the "Daily Practice" – contemplative photography and prayer

I take with me all of you who have suffered the horrors of sociopathic abuse. For you who know what it is to be terrorized in the dark while your friends walk in the light – to be an outcast, a misfit, and to feel like an alien – it's for us I pray, from Isaiah 61-63…

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 

Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Are you afraid of the children and grandchildren who were hurt and lost their way?

Lift up your eyes and look about you… your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.

Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. 

Are you dismayed by the loss of house, assets, and income? Have you lost your health, as well?

Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you…

Your gates will always be open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations…

… All who despise you will bow down at your feet…

Are you afraid you'll never catch up? Are you afraid of homelessness and poverty?

Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.

Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever…

The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation.

I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.

I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night.

You will call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth…

Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people.

Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations…

They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us – yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

Do we take these words literally? I believe in the heart behind the words… a Heart so loving and kind that if Isaiah were sitting next to be right now, I believe he would tell me to receive these words with an open heart and mind.

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15

I believe Papa God wants to redeem our lives, to restore all that was lost, and to deliver justice. How that looks for you and me may arrive in different packages. But one thing I know, God's Word's never returns void.

Much happens in solitude and rest.

This is why I write, why I watch, and why I pray.

With all my love,

Sue

PS  The photos above were taken on my visit to Diamond Butte watchtower, near where I live. The 360-degree panoramic view from the tower left me breathless. To see the curve of the earth at first light and all the way past sunset and into the deep majesty of trillions of stars, is to feel our Creator at gut level… where the beauty ignites your spirit and causes your faith to arise. Just me, a sleeping bag, and solitude… a slice of heaven!

I believe the words of Isaiah are creative words – they are prophetic and have the power to change our perception, and in changing our perception, we change our lives. Instead of fear, poverty, and abuse God wants you to enjoy Love, Love, and more Love! Love is protection, provision, and presence. Love is Light. Love overcomes all evil.

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