Soul Restoration Required

Restored in His Love, Sent for His Glory

Thank You Mighty Father for the gift of Your Presence, for restoration only You can bring in and through me.

As Jackie Chan said in Karate Kid: Legends:


“You cannot control when life knocks you down. But you can control when you get back up.”

Thank You, Lord God, for the restoration of my soul in this time.

On my way home, I’m excited to see my family – my husband and kids. Gosh, it’s been too many days without them. Thank You, Lord, for keeping them in this time. Yet, even in that joy, I felt a deep sorrow. I knew why. I had just spent the most intimate time with God that I’ve ever had in my entire life. These past five days overflowed with His presence and His love – for me, and for us all. It was independent of the people around me, and what they did or didn’t do, which makes it even more glorious. I had prayed for this so many times, but to experience God so tangibly… I am truly in awe. For the first time in my life, I literally got to walk with God in such a deeper and more intimate way. For that, I am grateful.

God can and will meet us anywhere, even in the most ordinary moments.

Why share this?

I’m reminded of the moment in Scripture when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain before Peter, James, and John. They experienced God’s glory so intimately and intensely that they didn’t want to leave. And honestly… I get it.

God’s presence is love and peace. It feels easier to remain in His presence, safe and hidden, than to step back into the messiness of life.

So incredibly tempting. Who wouldn’t want to stay safe, hidden, and wrapped in His presence? But the truth is, He sends us back down the mountain. He wants us to carry His presence into the world. To let His Spirit shape us, not so we can escape, but so we can reflect Him wherever we go.

The question is: what do we carry when we come down?

Do we carry His love, goodness, kindness, joy, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control—the fruits of His Spirit?

Or do we return begrudgingly, simply waiting for the next emotional “hit” of His presence?

I believe God calls us to both sacred rest in Him, and sacred living for Him. The time of restoration is necessary, it’s reset for our souls.

So many of us are so busy living we don’t realize we are simply hamsters on a wheel. Each day, each activity is another box checked off. We are living for the opinions of others – worried, anxious, and then numbed to cope. I’ve sadly filled too much space in my own life with activities, but I’m learning what healthy balance looks like according to God.

Lord God, please deliver us from ourselves and this world. Please show us where we need to take a breath so we can experience You deeply. To walk in true peace, not feigned. Living in and through You so that we may bring You with us wherever we go.

Thank You Lord for everything. I am nothing without You. Thank You for Your healing and deliverance. Thank You that my entire life and world are in Your Hands. I can lean in and trust that You have everything under control. Amen.

Psalm 23 puts it so beautifully:

“He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

– Psalm 23:2-3 AMP

I am so grateful that I got to experience that refreshment in real time. Our God is too kind, too good, too loving.

So this is my prayer:

Lord God, may I carry all that You’ve given, revealed, and restored in me well. May my life honor You and reflect Your glory. Keep me from picking back up what You’ve already taken away. Give me wisdom and strength to stand firm in You, no matter what comes. I love You, and I could never thank You enough for carrying me through this life. All glory and honor are Yours, forever and ever. Amen.

With love,

Uju