It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
Ephesians 1:11-12, The Message
Several days ago my hands touch hallowed walls of this Anglican church given to my ancestors, the Pennington’s, around 1050 AD. I linger long over the grassy graves of the faithful that trod this sacred soil. Step on the richness of their history and wonder how I might mirror their reflection.
He knew that I would hold my breath in wonder on the grounds of Muncaster Castle in Ravenglass England. That I would worship Him alongside angels of destiny, sit in the seat of the faithful, feel small in the impint of ancient souls on this very day.
Over one thousand years ago, he had his eye on me, on you, to fulfill His purposes in everything and everyone. And knowing that makes life worth living.
Praying on this Sabbath, that you touch destiny, receive a revelation of who you are.
Happy Sunday Friends!
Linking with Scripture & Snapshot, Fresh Brewed Sunday, Sweet Shot Tuesday
Popped over from Deidra’s place…and am so glad I did. I am following you now ;o)
Hi, Bina! You’ll love it here!
Bina, so glad you did and what a privilege to have you following. Thank you and I am thrilled to have you join this little community.
Love it! Have some photos I took in Worcester at their cathedral property. Just heart-rending to see it. You done good, Lady!
Aww, thank Joanne. Glad you like them.
Touching destiny. How awesome Shelly. You were meant to find your place there in this time. Thanks for sharing. I pray you will get to take your kids there one day.
Me too Dea, we hope to take them to Europe in a couple of years and would love for them to see Muncaster. You have been on my mind this weekend. So glad you stopped by.
So pleased to come across your blog– visiting from Scripture & a Snapshot. Giving thanks with you for the saints who have gone before us.
Carol, so glad you stopped by from Katies place. Appreciate your comment, it give me wide perspective to be in the place where history stands still.
“…designs on us for glorious living…” On this day of new design in my life, this is a beautiful set of words to read.
Oh yeah, those words are so perfect aren’t they? Love it when God speaks to people with what we put up so simply on Sunday.
Once again, a breathtakingly beautiful post, Shelly. Thank you so much for sharing! I, too, have touched those stone minister walls deep in the English countryside. When you spoke about touching destiny and the imprints of ancient souls of yesterday, who paved the way for your walk today, I couldn’t help but think of something similar that I had thought–not in an Anglican church, but a Presbyterian one, not too long ago. As I sat and rose, sat and rose in church one morning, holding the pew before me for support, I suddenly thought of the procession of the faithful through the years who’d sat in “my” very pew, worshiping God from the very same perspective. What a humbling thought to think how many saints had shared that particular Sunday destiny. This is what I wrote:
Sunday upon Sunday . . . organ trumpets, choir parades, robes flow, faithful rise. I do . . . slowly, then forward-lean, hands outstretched, cupped palms curling ‘round scroll of pew, polished glossy by streaming sun and palms of sinners past. Countless hands across countless Sundays have gripped for support this curve of wood, worn smooth by mortal time and human testing. Like a convict’s fingerprint on ink, I press a heinous handprint onto theirs, comingling frailty and failing, a laying on of unlikely hands.
A call to worship, a hymn, a prayer, an assurance of pardon, I freely uncurl fingers’ clutch, upturn palms from hard wood, lift hands, praising, knowing His hands remained outstretched, upturned, nailed down hard—fingers screaming, strident, splayed stiff like wheel spokes—blood coursing, polishing the unforgiving wood glossy.
You said it well. My thoughts sitting in that pew on Sunday as well.
So beautiful! What an amazing experience!
What an amazing history! It’s not often we get to see how we are connected to 1,000 years of people and story.
Came over from Deidra’s.
Megan, we looked up our ancestory through Ancestory.com and found my ancestory line dating back to the 900’s. We found that this place still stands and relatives still reside there. It was magical to visit there and feel that sense of connectedness to history. thanks for stopping by.
Oh the richness of his beauty through the generations. What an amazing experience this must have been. So thankful to know His eye has been on me from the beginning!
Love this! What a beautiful meditation. To think that my story was written on His heart before the foundation of the world — that all history is held in His sovereign, loving hand — it makes me blush that He would set His love on me with so much purpose. May I learn to receive all His gifts with childlike awe and wonder, resting content in the faithfulness of His plans.
Thank you for the lovely reminder in words and images. Beautiful Sunday to you.
It is pretty awesome isn’t it Jeanne, knowing He has had us on his mind throughout history? Makes me feel so small and big all at the same time. Thanks for stopping by, it made me smile to see you here.
A solid cross reminds me of whom our faith is solidly built upon. Thank you for sharing!
I hadn’t thought about it that way, what a great thought.
Love the hope in those verses, Shelly. And that church…just wow. I want to press my palm against that old, worn stone.
Moss covered stone, family heritage, God’s promises; what’s not to like! Honestly, beautiful.
Oh my…how this resonates in my heart!
What a wonderful opportunity you had, Shelly! Your photos capture the essence of the place well. Thanks for sharing!
I do believe HE knew me before I knew him. He was with me when ‘hurts happened’ He didn’t cause them to happen he protected me through them. This is very similar to the All things are for good or ultimate good. There is a purpose and sometimes we don’t know for years ‘the reason why’.
I am still learning.
Sharon, it gave me a sense of His omnipresence when I walked those historical grounds. Nothing is lost in this life, every moment counts in his eyes.
My pastor often says that we can be confident that God will never stop loving us because He never started loving us–His love is eternal.
These photos are stunning. They gave me chills–in a good way!
Love that, what your pastor says. That brings wonderful perspective.
What remarkable photos and what a remarkable God!
Amen Susan. So glad you stopped by.
I am not religious but I am a big fan of religious buildings and grave yards. They always tell a story.
Mollyxxx
I think it is the stories whispering in the walls that draw people in. We all long for stories that show us how to live. Glad you stopped by Molly.
I never cease to be amazed and the fact that God knew us before the foundation of the world and already had designed His purpose for us.
Blessings,
Joan
Me too Joan, its awesome isn’t it?