Cindy Powell

Note: A good friend of mine, artist Aeron Brown, recently opened an art gallery close to my home (The Threshold Art Gallery in Redlands, CA). I dropped by to hang out for a few minutes the other day and we hit upon an idea.  I would read a scripture or something I’d recently written (or both) and then sort of lean into the concept by praying and pondering out loud while he sketched whatever the Holy Spirit put on his heart. We had a few minutes (literally just a few minutes) and gave it a go then and there. This is the result. I don’t know how many of these “spontaneous devotions” we’ll do, time will tell, but enjoy this one for now:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”-Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

Lord, you say come…
And we say yes
Lord, You know us
You know everything about us
You know what fits
And You know what doesn’t
You know what gives us life
And You know what takes it away
You know the way we’re wired
And You know the way we should go
You saw our substance when it was yet unformed
You wove us together in our mother’s womb
That is when you first called us
That is when you first breathed life…
Uniquely, individually, personally…
Upon each one of us
You created us for great things
You created us for good
You created us for hope, You created us for life, You created us for love
Mostly, Jesus, You created us for You
You created us for Your presence
We want to learn from You, Lord
We want to lean into Your presence
We want to lean into Your heart
We want to learn the unforced rhythms of grace
Holy Spirit teach us
Teach us to dance
Teach us to dance to the unforced rhythms of grace
Teach us to dance with the Lover of our Souls
We lean in and we leave the things of religion
We leave the heavy burdens
We leave the things that don’t fit
We let go
And we move freely and lightly with You
We see your outstretched hand
We reach out
We take Your hand
We step out of the boat
We step onto the waves
And into a dance of destiny and delight
We step into the dance with You
That’s really all that matters, Lord
That we’re with You
That we’re in Your arms
As long as we’re leaning into You, there’s nothing heavy or ill-fitting
As long as we’re leaning into You, we’re free and we’re light
We dance with freedom to the rhythm of heaven
We dance to the unforced rhythms of grace
So open our ears to hear heaven’s song
Open our ears to hear the song You’re singing over us…
Come to Me! Come to Me! Come to Me!
That is the song you’re singing
And so Lord, we say yes
We say yes to the invitation to lean into You
We say yes to the invitation to lean into Your arms
We say yes to the invitation to dance
Lord, You say come…
And we say yes.