No one comes to God
in wholeness
no one approaches Him
without sin
for it is in our brokenness
that He calls us
to heal the wounds
we have within
in Christ our weakness
becomes His strength
through the cracks
the light shines in
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in my own brokenness might Christ be inviting me to receive His healing and strength today?
Scripture:
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
Heal me Jesus
from my worldly attachments
my desires for money
honor
power
that distract me from love
draw me into your embrace
Almighty Son of God
for yours is the treasure
the glory
the kindom
I wish to seek
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
What worldly attachments or desires most compete with my freedom to love God and others fully?
Scripture:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy… But store up treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19–20
Lord how long
did you call for me
and I did not answer
how long did you reach out
and I pulled away
how long did you mourn for me
and I ignored your tears
to live my life
to do my will
to seek my glory
and yet when I was ready
when I had enough pain
you welcomed me back
in celebration
and in love
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in my life have I resisted God’s call, and how might He be inviting me today to return and receive His mercy with trust and humility?
Scripture:
“While he was still far off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”
— Luke 15:20
Christ on the cross
does not call us to passivity
any more than He calls us to fight
or to run away
Christ on the cross
calls us to love
to forgive
to pray for God’s mercy
even for those who hurt us
abuse us
reject us
abandon or betray us
for those who would take our lives
Christ on the cross
calls us to stand up for love
to lay down our lives for love
to never give up on love
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in my life is Christ inviting me to respond to suffering not with withdrawal or retaliation, but with courageous, forgiving love?
Scripture:
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
—Luke 23:34 (NRSV)
My dear friend
I want to share with you
what the Lord is doing
with me today
but you are gone
returned to the dust
and the ether
no longer there to call
nor to send a note
no more coffee chats
or stories shared over a meal
I long to hear your voice
to receive the return note
to know you understand
to know someone understands
what the Lord is doing with me
my dear friend
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Who do you bring to God in prayer when the one who once understood your heart is no longer here—and how might the Lord be inviting you to trust Him with what remains unspoken?
Scripture:
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18 (NRSVCE)
In a single moment
like a flash of lightning
on a dark rainy night
God allows me to see
to know
to feel
how utterly powerless I am
how fruitless my efforts
how flawed my desires
He shows me my sin
my inability to change
my vanity and hardness of heart
without Him
without grace
without mercy
I cry out from death
for love
for life
for Jesus
my Savior
my hope
my salvation
I am reborn
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in my life am I still relying on my own strength instead of surrendering fully to God’s grace and mercy?
Scripturee:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (NRSVCE)
Love exists only in freedom
it cannot be taken
only willingly given
and willingly received
love is shared
from open hand
to open hand
from open heart
to open heart
love is a decision
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in your life is God inviting you to choose love freely—without fear, control, or expectation?
Scripture:
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17
I do not know
what tomorrow will bring
I may not awaken
to see it
for now
I will receive
God’s life into my lungs
with gratitude
I will count every heartbeat
smile
and tear
as precious
until I forget again
Lord may I not
forget again
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in your life today is God inviting you to slow down, breathe, and remember His presence?
Scripture:
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
Oh how I want to love
as the Lord had loved me
I pray
I try
I stumble and fall
tripping over my pride
my desire and ferar
until I return to Him
to pray
to try
to stumble and fall
again
fumbling my way
to heaven
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in your life is God inviting you to keep returning to Him, even when you stumble?
Scripture:
“For the righteous fall seven times and rise again.” — Proverbs 24:16
The devil leads us
into isolation
enticing us
with money
honor
power
drawing us further away
from our fellows
from God
from love
until we are alone
in the darkness
without peace
without hope
without a hand to hold
but it is there
that we will meet Jesus
if only we are willing
to hear his voice
and to take his hand
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in your life do you feel isolated, and how might Jesus be reaching out to you there?
Scripture:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5
Grappling With Divinity 