I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he hs called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people...Ephesians 1:18-19
During my early morning walk along the beach this morning I came upon a special spot. From a distance it almost looked like there were “snowballs” hanging from the dead tree branches. As I got close I entered what seemed to be a kind of outdoor church. The air flowed through my hair and the sun warmed my back as I stepped closer and into this sanctuary on the beach. Hurricane Irma had uprooted and blown down some trees along the shoreline. The trees were still there, their roots down firmly in the sand, but the branches were bare of leaves, strikingly black against the blue sky. Shells of all shapes and sizes hung from the branches. Many people walking the beach have picked up shells with holes worn through them and have hung them up like Christmas ornaments as they pass by. Each shell, I have been told, is a memorial, a wish or a prayer placed there by someone. Roots, vines and branches have been added to the scene forming a kind of sacred art.
The energy there is powerful! Knowing that each shell holds a thought, memory, wish, prayer or hope as it rests on the branch or root of a dead tree evokes the feeling of walking on sacred ground. This is how I felt as I placed a few shells of my own on the branches. I felt a peace that had been eluding me lately. It felt like worship, hope, love, peace, and acceptance. Somehow the spirit had visited me there. It felt like grace.
The experience on the beach in this special outdoor sanctuary came to my mind as I read the verse from Ephesians. I almost felt as though someone had prayed over me. It seemed that the “eyes of my heart” had been enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Now I could see things with new eyes of understanding. The heat of the sun and the feel of the breeze were physical reminders that I had been provided with energy and strength to continue to find hope in the “glorious inheritance” of God’s promises.
I pray, God, thank you for coming to me in unlikely ways and for plugging me into your power in my life to “see” and understand my purpose for You on this earth. Thank you for helping me to find holy ground to walk on when I most need you.
Ponder: Have you ever experienced a time when you sensed that you were on holy ground and that the Spirit was enlightening you? If you haven’t, can you begin to become aware of possible moments like these? Perhaps the Spirit will find you. This is my prayer for you.
