Devotion #53

Hi, Everyone.
I'm a bit late posting today, as I needed to proofread the ending to a book. How ironic, that it's a book on rape prevention. It's been a surreal, yet good, experience.
Today's devotion is from my personal journal dated May 30, 2007. It's not as long as it looks; I included lyrics to a song. Also, you may wonder what it has to do with weight loss, but hang in until the end.

     The Lord woke me up at 5:45 this morning, and I heard the words, "Your Name is true and holy, and Your face is all I see." I was pretty sure those were words from a chorus or praise song, but I could not place it.
     I kept hearing those words, over and over, so I sent an email to some friends and family, to see if anyone knew that song, its title, and, perhaps, some of the lyrics. No one seemed to know anything about it.
     I kept thinking, "Your face is all I see." I was reminded of Moses. Deuteronomy 34:10 says, "There arose not a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." Wow! I want the Lord to be able to say of me, "I knew Mary, face to face."
     Moses was cool, but he was just a man. He blew it (murdered a guy, struck the rock in anger, etc.), just like each of us. However, he went over to investigate the burning bush, and he asked to see God's face.
     The term "face time" came to mind. I went to the internet and found some information on it. As far as relationships go, face time means maintaining eye contact and touch, spending quality time with someone.
     I know that eye contact is critical, because it fosters honesty. Touch is important, in maintaining emotional well-being. Quality time is spent surrounding oneself with others of value. Face time is time spent face-to-face with someone, talking and listening.
     I tried several search engines, to find out if the words I "heard" this morning are in a song, but to no avail. Then I remembered Search.com, tried that, and found a praise song called "Strong Tower" by Kutless. While I've never heard this song, I really like the lyrics. 

          When I wander through the desert
          And I'm longing for my home,
          All my dreams have gone astray.
          When I'm stranded in the valley
          And I'm tired and all alone,
          It seems like I've lost my way.

          Chorus:
          I go running to Your mountain
          Where Your mercy sets me free,
          You are my strong tower, shelter over me.
          Beautiful and mighty, everlasting King
          You are my strong tower, a fortress when I'm weak.
          Your Name is true and holy
          And Your face is all I see.

          In the middle of my darkness
          In the midst of all my fear,
          You're my refuge and my hope.
          When the storm of life is raging
          And the thunder's all I hear,
          You speak softly to my soul.

          Chorus:
          Now I'm running to Your mountain,
          Where Your mercy sets me free,
          You are my strong tower, shelter over me.
          Beautiful and mighty, everlasting King
          You are my strong tower, a fortress when I'm weak.
          Your Name is true and holy
          And Your face is all I see
          And Your face is all I see
          Yeah, Your face is all I see.

     I know that Revelation 22:4 says that we "shall see His face," but I'm thinking we don't have to wait until then! Maybe I can't see His face literally, until then, but I can have "face time" with Him, right here and now.
     I just realized that last night, when I was feeling antsy, out of sorts, and asking God, "What do I do now? Now that I can't use food to stuff my emotions, what do I do?" God has answered with, "Have 'face time' with Me."
     God is all about relationship, not religion. It makes perfect sense to sit facing Him, toe to Toe, knee to Knee, face to Face, eye to Eye. Not because I deserve it, but because I desire it and He delights in it.

Today, spend time with Jesus, face to face, until His face is all you see. While the original Kutless song is fairly rock-sounding, this impromptu version, sung in a radio station, is nicer, in my opinion. Listen to the lead singer of Kutless singing "Strong Tower" and playing a guitar, accompanied by another guitarist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmfrVMHRWOg

Blessings,
Mary