“This is the invitation. Our Emmanuel, present within us now, desires to hear the cry of our heart. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He asks. The beauty of this exchange is that we are turning our face toward His, recognizing His ability to meet our need. When we turn toward our Emmanuel, carrying forward our heaviness for Him to make sense of and heal, He calls this faith.”- Summer Joy Gross
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”- Psalm 40:1 (ESV)
Summer Joy Gross concludes Chapter 5 of The Emmanuel Promise with this question. Can you see God’s ear “inclined to” you? Never too busy to listen, God’s always attentive and tenderly watchful. Whether you offer a deep heart cry or just a ramble through your day.
Certainly, Summer notes, at times life demands every ounce of attention we can muster. As a result, we fail to recognize the attentiveness of God. That is, until we look back and see His faithfulness dotted throughout the chapters of our life story. Above all, this too builds trust.
In conclusion, clinical psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Orlick and his wife describe six needs to form a secure attachment. The Compass of Connection consists of two categories, Explore and Draw Near.
Three needs make up the ‘Explore’ side of the compass:
- Delight – discovering and expressing your love.
- Support – anticipating opportunities and obstacles.
- Boundaries – defining and valuing limits.
Furthermore, three needs make up the ‘Draw Near,’ or refuge-seeking, side of the compass:
- Protection – resolving to protect from true harm.
- Comfort – moving close to ease the pain.
- Equipping – finding a way forward with hope and a plan.
Therefore, Summer counsels:
“Life comes at you hard. Build rhythms of attachment on the easy days so you can encounter the comfort of your Emmanuel on the hard days.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures reinforce our belief in God’s desire to hear the cry of our heart? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “When we think He is doing least”