A voice cries in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plane. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. - Isaiah 40:3-5
I, Lord, am a voice that is crying in the wilderness, surrounded on all sides, crushed and brought low. My strength is weak, and my heart is troubled. I need you dear Lord to lift me up, and carry me away, far away from all these troubles. Then a still small voice, I hear so gently whispers, you will have troubles, and you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.
A little bird sits on a tree branch, the storm is raging all around her, and her song echoes through the woods, with a hunger, and longing to reach higher, so that her song might resonate in her Master's ears. The storm is starting to pick up, and the wind is howling more violently around her, she becomes hesitant. Overcoming her fear she starts to stretch her wings, aching from lack of use. She hears her beloved call to her, when you are weak, I am strong, and my strength is made perfect in your weakness.
Standing on her shaky perch, she takes off, soaring within the storm, to a higher ground, a safer ground. She struggles desperately to find a safe place to be hidden, until the storm passes. Finding none she finally gives up, her wings start to droop, and she feels herself falling. But just before she hits the ground, she hears again, my yoke is easy, and my burden is light, and two strong arms catch her, hold her tenderly, and place her in the cleft of the rock.
Rocking back and forth, she wonders if she has been abandoned, and starts to fall into despair, and she hears again, I will never leave you, I will never forsake you, beloved, I have called you by name, you are mine. She turns around, fixing her eyes at last on her Creator, the one who fashioned her, molded her, gave her wings to fly. Love has sealed her, love has found her, and love will never let her go.
Abide in me, she hears again, cast all you cares upon me, for I care for you. You have cried out to me, and I have heard you, and delivered you from all of your fears.
