The Refuge
By Brita Crouse
“You are my refuge and
my shield; I have put my hope in Your word.”
Dear refuge of
my weary soul,
On thee when sorrows
rise;
On thee, when
waves of trouble roll,
My fainting
hope relies.
In college, I had the opportunity to lead a weekly group for the
women who lived on my floor. The purpose of the group was for us to gather, as
women and believers, and share our hearts and worship together. During this
hour-long time, we would share testimonies, prayer requests, and talents
through worship. We met on Sunday nights, right before heading into a busy,
sometimes spiritually draining, week. We called this time together The Refuge.
While hope
revives, though pressed with fears,
And I can say,
“My God,”
Beneath thy
feet I spread my cares,
And pour my
woes abroad.
That season of life is now over, but I am constantly reminded of
the impact of these women and their hearts for Jesus. The Refuge was a safe
place for us to gather and make ourselves vulnerable with the hope of
encouraging one another and bringing each other closer together and closer to
God. Many times, I entered into Sunday evening with a list of what I needed to
do for the week weighing on my mind. Yet, I always managed to leave The Refuge
feeling connected and rejuvenated spiritually.
To thee I tell
each rising grief,
For thou alone
can heal;
Thy word can
bring a sweet relief,
For every pain
I feel.
So often this is how I come to Jesus. Sometimes my thoughts are
overwhelming or I worry I won’t find a solution to a situation. In those times,
as I come before God in prayer, I start off feeling distracted or unsure of
where to begin. But, once I let go of those distractions and worries, I manage
to come away from my time with God feeling more at peace, more connected with
my Savior. “My soul finds rest in God alone.” [1]
Hast thou not
bid me seek thy face?
And shall I
seek in vain?
And can the ear
of sovereign grace
Be deaf when I
complain?
God desires communication with you, whether you are sharing
joys, fears or sins. He wants to hear what’s on your heart. He wants to be your
Refuge.
No, still the
ear of sovereign grace
Attends the
mourner’s prayer;
O may I ever
find access,
To breathe my
sorrows there. [2]
GOING DEEPER:
1. What is your place of
refuge?
2. What distractions and
worries do you want to let go of this week?
FURTHER READING:
Brita recently moved back to her home state of Wisconsin where
she works as an Elementary School Counselor. She and her family have attended
Oakwood for 20 years.
[1] Psalm 62:1a
[2] My God, my Father,
while I stray. C. Elliot. (1834).
