Human Condition – Page 3

My Swamp (Devotional and Song)

Song: I Will Rise – Duet

Devotional: Leaving the Swamp Behind

Scripture:
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” — Deuteronomy 30:19

There are moments in life when we realize we’ve built a false sanctuary—a place where we have learned to survive but not truly live. Maybe it’s a mindset we’ve adopted, a habit we’ve clung to, or a defense mechanism we’ve crafted over time. Like the swamp in this reflection, it becomes familiar, even comfortable, but at its core, it is a trap.

God never intended for us to stay in places of spiritual stagnation. He created us to thrive, to walk in His light, to be renewed and transformed. But we must make the choice. We can remain in the toxic environments—whether external or internal—that we’ve adapted to, or we can step into the fullness of life that Christ offers.

The decision is ours. Do we cling to the shadows of what is familiar, or do we trust God to lead us into a land of promise, even if it means vulnerability, growth, and change?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I recognize that I have built walls, adapted to struggles, and settled in places You never intended for me to stay. Give me the courage to step out of my swamp, to leave behind what keeps me trapped, and to walk boldly into the abundant life You have for me. Lead me, Lord, and renew my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Writing:

THIS is my swamp…

My skin is thick and tough…
… so that I no longer have to be vulnerable to the pain that surrounds me.

My fighting skills are honed and advanced…
… so that I can aggressively and fiercely shred any foe that attacks me.

I can submerge and hide for long periods of time…
… to avoid uncomfortable confrontation.

I can adapt to my surroundings here in my swamp…
…so that I can be…
…unaffected
…unmoved
…unshaken
…un-convicted

…of what might otherwise appear to be a…
…murky
…dirty
…polluted environment.

This is MY swamp…

It is my sanctuary. It is my cocoon.

It is…
…my death trap.

I did not always live in my swamp.
In fact, I was not made to be able to survive in my swamp.

I had to become…
…to adapt
…to adjust
…to evolve

…into what I have become in order to survive the toxic conditions that exist in my swamp.

This is my SWAMP…

And only I can make the decision to continue dying here…
…or to choose life outside of my swamp.

What’s it going to be?

Song:

[Verse 1]

I built these walls, I learned to fight,

Kept my heart locked up so tight.

Hid my fear behind a smile,

But I’ve been sinking all the while.

[Pre-Chorus]

I hear You calling through the night,

A voice so strong, yet full of light.

You pull me close, You draw me higher,

Out of the swamp, into the fire.

[Chorus]

I won’t stay where shadows grow,

Where my heart turns cold, where the dark winds blow,

I’m stepping out, I’m choosing life,

Leaving the swamp for the morning light.

Oh, I will rise… I will rise.

[Verse 2]

I made a home in sinking ground,

Afraid to leave, afraid to drown.

But chains aren’t homes, and wounds don’t heal

When I resist the love you reveal

The fear, the shame, the weight I’ve known,

You call me out, You lead me home.

[Pre-Chorus]

I hear You calling through the night,

A voice so strong, yet full of light.

You pull me close, You draw me higher,

Out of the swamp, into the fire.

[Chorus]

I won’t stay where shadows grow,

Where my heart turns cold, where the dark winds blow,

I’m stepping out, I’m choosing life,

Leaving the swamp for the morning light.

Oh, I will rise… I will rise.

[Bridge]

I see the road, I see the dawn,

And though I shake, I’ll carry on.

No more hiding, no more chains,

Your grace is stronger than my pain!

[Final Chorus]

I won’t stay where shadows grow,

Where my heart turns cold, where the dark winds blow,

I’m stepping out, I’m choosing life,

Leaving the swamp for the morning light.

Oh, I will rise… I will rise.

[Outro]

No turning back, I’m walking free,

The past is gone, Your love in me.

Oh, I will rise… I will rise.

The following pictures were taken at Sawgrass Lake Park, St. Petersburg, FL
Copyright © 2014 by SkylerThomas

Eyes Wide Open – Window Box Shattered Part 1

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

__________________________________________________

We don’t see things clearly yet. We’re seeing things in a fog, peering through the reflection of a looking glass. But eventually we’ll see it all, as clearly as God sees us, and seeing Him face-to-face as he knows us…without our mask…as we are.

But until then…

Chronos – time marches on

I will continue to live in my window box. In my prison…as a fraction of the person I could be…because that’s how I think “they” want me to live…
…dressed up
…made up
…perfection
…flawless
…selfish
…stoic
…fake
…empty
…frail
…emotionless
…numb
…wanting
…lost
…pain
…loneliness

And in the quietness of my empty world…I hear it…I see it…with a whisper… It’s time…

Kairos – His time is now

…It’s time to shatter the window box…

…It’s time to walk free on the sidewalk of life…

…and be… ME

…as He made me
…as He sees me
…as He desires me to be
…with my imperfections
…with my strengths
…giving
…full of emotion
…real…without pretension
…getting the most out of life
…taking advantage of every moment
…weak, sometimes
…strong, sometimes
…constantly seeking adventure
…feeling pain, and learning from it
…being alone, but being okay with it
…finding companionship…and risking the adventure of it
…full…of…everything…life…has…to…offer
…with eyes wide open…

…for now I can see…what He made me to be…

The Real Who I Am, As I See Me – Window Box Shattered Part 2 (Devotional and Song)

Song: As I See Me – Female Vocal

Devotional: Embracing God’s Unconditional Love

Scripture:

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” — 1 Corinthians 13:12

Reflection:

Many of us grapple with the fear that if others truly knew us—the depths of our thoughts, our past mistakes, our hidden struggles—they might withdraw their love. This apprehension can lead to feelings of isolation and unworthiness, causing us to hide our true selves behind masks of perfection or indifference.

However, the Bible offers a transformative truth: God knows us completely and loves us unconditionally. As 1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us, our current understanding is limited, like seeing a dim reflection in a mirror. Yet, even in our partial understanding, we are fully known by God. This means that our capacity to love and be loved originates from God’s perfect love for us—a love that is not based on our merits but on His very nature.

Consider the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). She was exposed and condemned by others, yet Jesus saw beyond her sin and offered her grace and a new beginning. This encounter illustrates that even when we feel most unlovable, Jesus meets us with compassion and redemption.

Embracing this truth requires us to confront our fears and vulnerabilities, bringing them before God in honesty. When we do so, we open ourselves to experiencing the fullness of His love—a love that liberates us from the need to hide and empowers us to live authentically.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with my fears and insecurities, knowing that You see me fully and love me unconditionally. Help me to embrace Your love, allowing it to dispel the lies that I am unlovable. Teach me to live authentically, rooted in the assurance that I am known and cherished by You. Empower me to extend this love to others, reflecting Your grace in all my relationships.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Writing:

When you look at me, who do you see?
Do you see what you want to see? Or do you see the real ME?

I’m not…

…plastic and fake
…living in the confines of a storefront window box you make
…saying what you want me to say
…thinking what you want me to think
…without flaw
…a model doll
…hair of silk all in place
…living in your window box space

I’m ME…

I’m the one walking free, on my sidewalk of life…

…as I was made
…with my imperfections
…with my strengths
…giving
…full of emotion
…real…without pretension
…getting the most out of life
…taking advantage of every moment
…weak, sometimes
…strong, sometimes
…constantly seeking adventure
…feeling pain, and learning from it
…being alone, but being okay with it
…finding companionship…and risking the adventure of it
…full…of…everything…life…has…to…offer
…with eyes wide open…

I want you to see the real ME…the real who I am…as I see ME

Song: As I See Me, As He Sees Me

Verse 1: In this life, we see through mirrors dim, True selves hidden, light within grows slim. Fearing if they knew the flaws inside, They’d turn away, and love would be denied.

Chorus: But You, O Lord, You see me face to face, Fully known, embraced by endless grace. In Your light, my heart is truly free, To be the one You always meant for me.

Verse 2: No longer bound by chains of false pretense, I step beyond the walls of their defense. With all my scars and strengths in full display, I walk in freedom, guided by Your way.

Chorus: For You, O Lord, You see me face to face, Fully known, embraced by endless grace. In Your light, my heart is truly free, To be the one You always meant for me.

Bridge: Now I embrace the journey, come what may, With open eyes, I seek You every day. Until that time I see You face to face, I’ll walk in faith, upheld by Your embrace.

Chorus: For You, O Lord, You see me face to face, Fully known, embraced by endless grace. In Your light, my heart is truly free, To be the one You always meant for me.

Outro: For now, we see as in a mirror’s gaze, But then, with You, we’ll stand in glory’s blaze. Fully known and knowing, we will be, In perfect love for all eternity.