"Gathered"

I’d worked that ridge all morning,

And all I jumped was deer,

I’d seen signs of some cattle,

But so far nothing here.

And then there in a clearing,

I saw livestock up ahead,

A little seep of water,

And ground where they made bed.

And when they heard me comin’,

Though I made little sound,

With tails stuck high above them,

They left to cover ground.

And now I’m right behind ‘em,

Just one way they could go,

And I’m a-dodgin’ branches,

And not a-goin’ slow.

And then we break into a valley,

Where they cannot get away,

And I know that I’ll pen ‘em,

Even if it takes all day.

All I’ll do is push ‘em,

And keep the pressure on,

And before you know it,

They’re gathered right along.

I think of times I wandered,

As far as any stray,

And the Good Lord came out lookin’,

Refused to let me stay,

Hidden from His presence,

‘Cause I really couldn’t hide,

And when He put the pressure on,

I was in for quite a ride.

And I’m so glad He’s gathered,

So many folks like me,

Who’ve given up on better,

And couldn’t really see,

That He knew me and He loved me,

And He searched to bring me home,

The Lord knows just what it will take,

And so those hills He’ll comb.

And when at last it happens,

And you’re settled back with Him,

The true adventure’s started,

Life on purpose begins then.

“I can never escape from Your Spirit…” (Psalm 139:7, NLT)

Some have the illusion that they have run far from God. That’s because He may feel distant to them, and that their lifestyle is so opposite to what they know God wants, they feel isolated and even judged. But the truth is what this scripture says: we cannot escape from the presence of God’s Spirit. He is always there, closer than the air we breathe, and with the agenda of restoring us to fellowship with God. He knows us, loves us, and anticipates what we’re going to do before we do it. He is there to lead us back into fellowship with our heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is proactive, not passive in this pursuit, and will relentlessly pursue us every day of our lives until we turn and embrace the direction He is leading us to take.

Lord, gather us to Yourself, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.