Praying for Others

“We don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Romans 8:26 NLT)

When we offer to pray for someone, we are taking on a serious responsibility. We don’t have to know what to pray for or what words to use. All we have to do is open up our spirit so that God can have unlimited access.

The spiritual reservoir inside us is a lot like a rural farm pond. Most days it is just a repository for run-off water. A pond can be a peaceful place to sit and meditate, catch a few fish, or maybe take an occasional swim. But it is most useful during a fire. Rural areas don’t have fire hydrants.  Fire fighters often use the water in ponds to put out fires. Farmers usually allow access to their ponds for neighboring fires. Similarly, our spirits can be used by God to extinguish fires nearby. The Holy Spirit can siphon our prayers to rescue others. We can help by keeping the easement to our spirits clear so the pathway is accessible. This involves clearing our schedule and our mind as much as possible. We don’t have to give God instructions on how to put out the fires. All we have to do is grant the Holy Spirit full access.

Spiritual Reservoirs

“God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.” (Acts 2:17 NLT)

Most of my days are filled with dusty clouds of chaos. However, I have experienced unexpected outpourings of grace and peace followed by moments of spiritual clarity. I wish I could hold on to these moments.

Farmers know that ponds are a great way to store up rainwater run-off for future use. They pick an area with a natural valley and create a dam at the lower end to hold the water in. Some areas require a bit of additional excavating; other areas need a bit of extra clay soil to keep the water from seeping through.

Could a spiritual reservoir be made using similar methods? What if we could take valley experiences and depressions, shore up the boundaries with dams of faith, and line the bottom with impermeable trust? Would this allow us to have perpetual pools of grace and peace?

Discernment Training

“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:14 NLT)

Infants have difficulty digesting solid foods even if they are pureed. Babies should not be given solid food until they are able to sit up, hold their head up, and have control over their gag reflex. Otherwise, they are likely to choke.

Digesting solid truth requires a certain level of maturity as well. Unfortunately, many of us are still spiritual infants. We don’t have adequate head control. We have developed a palate for things that are false, immoral, and naughty. Thus, we find ourselves choking on what is good, wholesome, and true.

The discernment to recognize right from wrong is a skill that is developed through training and constant practice. Our conscience is only as good as our standards. Since our values tend to fluctuate based on external influences and personal desires, following our conscience is not always equivalent to doing the right thing. Spiritual discernment allows us to access a higher conscience, one that is beyond our human minds. Tuning in to the Spirit requires a great deal of discipline and focus. Frequent practice and obedience hone our senses. As we continually open ourselves up with expectation and reverence, we are able to recognize truth, develop discernment, and choose goodness.

The Messiness of Life

“God made men and women true and upright; we’re the ones who’ve made a mess of things.” (Ecclesiastes 7:29 MSG)

Some days this world seems wonderful--full of kindness, laughter, love, bravery, generosity, compassion, and fairness. Other days, the world feels messy--full of sickness, hopelessness, violence, oppression, divorce, abuse, poverty, unemployment, betrayal, addictions, desperation, manipulation, toxic attitudes, poor choices, bad behavior, natural disasters, physical deterioration, and mental degeneration. The messiness of life often overwhelms its beauty.

God created us to be good and true. Yet, humans have adulterated everything, adding junky fillers to suit our taste for temporary pleasure.  We pump ourselves up with vanity, insincerity, ambition, posturing, greed, and self-absorption. Instead of seeking purity, simplicity, and virtue, we chase after admiration, excitement, and power. We invest in drama rather than in authenticity. And life gets really messy and yucky.

“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.” (Psalm 71:20-21 NIV)

Lord, only You can reset our lives to Your intended settings. Forgive us and restore us.

Confirmation Bias

“And now they’re back in the sin business again, manufacturing god-images they can use, Religion customized to taste. Professionals see to it: Anything you want in a god you can get.” (Hosea 13:1-3 MSG)

Let’s say you are reading reviews online for a product you really want to buy. You are likely to be swayed by the reviews that affirm your preconceptions. This tendency is called confirmation bias. The inclination to believe what we want to believe makes us blind to the negative qualities of those we love and to the positive traits of our enemies. Confirmation bias can lead to distorted thinking and irrational behavior.

Our beliefs about God are often influenced by our expectations. We want a god who brings comfort, order, healing, contentment, security, peace, and prosperity. We don’t want a god who is too demanding, who makes us uncomfortable, or whose standards require us to reevaluate our dreams.

This is why conservatives and liberals are able to interpret Bible verses to conform to their preexisting ideas. More often than not, we assume that God wants what we want. We ignore directions, signs, and intuitions that point us away from our preconceived notions. We customize God to fit our presumptions instead of shaping our beliefs according to His vision.

Lord, we are imperfect beings with skewed ideas. We filter truth through our contorted human perceptions. Please correct our vision, so that we may understand You and have an authentic relationship with You.

Spiritual Discernment

“I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do...” (Ephesians 1:17 MSG)

Discernment is defined as the ability to distinguish, apprehend, recognize, or perceive by our senses or intellect. Spiritual discernment allows us to know God, to sense His presence, to distinguish his nudges from our own impulses, and to recognize His revelations.

Knowing God personally and being under His influence can be glorious but also weighty. Spiritual discernment is a heavy gift that comes with great responsibility. It requires a great deal of endurance, focus, and dedication. It isn’t something that can be turned on and off based on what else is going on in one’s life. It’s a constant weight that one must bear with reverence and commitment.

Flooded

“The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore--the LORD above is mightier than these!” (Psalm 93:3-4 NLT)

These days, I’m flooded with bad news: a friend with cancer is enduring severe pain and fatigue; tornadoes and storms are damaging property and creating instability; a friend is going through a painful divorce; financial difficulties and work-related stress are wrecking families; others  are suffering from loneliness, hopelessness, depression, anxiety, addictions, and desperation.

When we have to face wave after wave of difficulties, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. However, if we give in to despair, the floods may carry us away from our post. We must stay rooted, firmly anchored to our purpose--reminding ourselves and others that God is mightier than the violent floods and scary storms.

Reaching Base Camp

"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)

The summit of Mt. Everest is about 29,000 feet. Those who attempt to climb to the summit must first make it to base camp, which is about 17,000 feet high.  Just getting to this level takes a lot of effort. Once here, climbers usually camp out for a few days to acclimatize themselves to the altitude. Even though they may have conquered other mountains, trained intensely, and outfitted themselves with the latest climbing gear--they know they are weak compared to the immensity of the task ahead.

A life of faith is similar to climbing a mountain. When we realize our vulnerability, we have merely reached base camp. We need to acclimatize ourselves to this paradigm of powerlessness before attempting to move higher. As we camp out at the foothills, we get to observe other climbers. We learn that admitting our helplessness is just the preliminary step--even this takes a great deal of humility and suffering. Yet, this important step makes us ready to follow our Guide up the mountain. We must submit, before we can attempt to summit. The climb to the peak of faith is arduous, but neither our weaknesses nor our circumstances faze us. We are ready to face the probability of injury, as well as the possibility of death. We are trusting in a power greater than our abilities and higher than the mountain.

“None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.” (Romans 8:37 MSG)

Protective Shells

“He who would search for pearls must dive below.” (John Dryden)

Pearls are formed inside shells of certain mollusks as a defense mechanism. I know several people who are like pearls. They are naturally guarded and prefer to stay in their shell. Their luminescence is often hidden. In rare moments of security, they reveal themselves--expressing their beauty, strength, and iridescent personalities. I used to bemoan the fact that these people were not always open and expressive. Now I understand that this is how they were created. The shell is their safe hiding place. Too much exposure, stimulation, or attention can make them feel vulnerable.

One must wait for these pearls to reveal themselves in their own timing, and also to let them go back to their safe shells after short bouts of exposure. Their subtle, inner beauty is worth the wait. However, one must still plunge below the surface to discover them and admire them in their natural habitat. So I have learned to dive into the depths and to hold my breath--while I search for pearls.

Responding to Riots

For the last few months, the media has been awash with reports of racial tension between African Americans living in low-income areas and the police. The protests, riots, and looting that follow after each of these crises remind us that racial profiling, poverty, unemployment, and socio-economic segregation fuel hopelessness, fear, and resentment. And much like a toddler having a tantrum, young people release their frustration in ways that call negative attention to themselves and their parents. Riots and looting are never justified--these events always reinforce prejudicial stereotypes and increase agitation. Violence solves nothing; it only serves to further polarize groups along racial, economic, and political lines.

I don’t have any viable solutions to these huge problems. I have opinions, but sharing them will probably just add to the turbulence. We all respond to these issues in different ways: Some ignore it and are thankful they live far away from the tension. Others air their opinions on social media. I have been going back and forth between inner turmoil and prayer.

Lord, we have made a big mess. We don’t know how to clean it up. Please help. Restore humanity to your intended purposes.

Ignoring Alarms

“They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives.” (Ezekiel 33:5 NLT)

We snooze through morning alarms, ignore low fuel lights on cars, disable chirping smoke alarms, and unplug weather radios that wake us up in the middle of the night. We don’t take these alarms seriously, until we have experienced the negative consequences of doing so. If we lost our job due to routine tardiness, or ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere, or lost a loved one in a house fire or tornado--we would subsequently learn to pay attention to these alarms.

What are the alarms that we routinely ignore?

My concerns for others come to mind: some are neglectful of their health; others are excessive in their spending; many live without much forethought beyond earthly desires. It’s easier to notice the negligence of others rather than my own laxness. I cannot make another person pay attention to his/her alarms; all I can do is heed warnings that apply to my own behavior.

What are the warning signs that you are ignoring in your own life?

Familiar Roads

“And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,  discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!” (Psalm 84:5-6 MSG)

I’m another year older. I feel more emotionally stable now than I was a decade ago.  There are several reasons for this sense of equilibrium:

1. Experience has taught me that God is dependable, even when things turn out differently than my expectations.
2. I know others who have gone through horrific situations and have been restored to stability.
3. I have good friends whom I can depend on to redirect me when I'm off-track. I can hear God speaking into my life through their wisdom.

When our days are intertwined with God’s sphere of influence, we feel more secure.  It’s like driving through a familiar neighborhood on a dark, stormy, winter night. Whether we run out of gas, have a flat tire, or get stuck in a ditch--we know where to go for help and whom we can trust.  We have a sense of assurance that, eventually, everything that matters will be alright.

“O LORD who rules over all, how blessed are those who trust in you!” (Psalm 84:12 NET)

Broken

“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17 NIV)

My friend, Mary, loves horses. I like horses as long as there is a fence between them and me. I don’t know much about horses. Mary, on the other hand, has learned a lot about these animals by taking care of them. Mary’s heart goes out to any horse that needs care. She used to buy horses, not to ride them, but just to care for them. A few years ago, she bought a new horse and told me that it was already ‘broken.’ I imagined that she had bought an injured horse because she felt sorry for it. She laughed and explained that a ‘broken’ horse was a good thing; it meant that the horse was trainable.

Pain, disappointment, and betrayal can make us feel broken. Yet, this brokenness can make us more malleable, humble, and trainable. When we are yielded and devoted to God, we become more useful. Those of us who are already broken and in training can mentor those who have experienced pain more recently. We are able to empathize and lift them up to God who revives the brokenhearted.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18 NLT)

Unstuck

“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” (Psalm 40:2 NLT)

I saw the following scenario on a TV show: A bomb explodes and one of the bystanders gets impaled with a long piece of metal.  The injured guy is filled with fear, and he can hardly move. He asks others to pull this object out of his chest. One of them, a doctor, cautions against this, explaining that this metal is plugging up the injured man’s wound and preventing him from bleeding to death. He convinces the injured man to stay calm and wait patiently for a skilled surgeon.

When a loved one is wounded, immobilized, or stuck, our natural instinct is to do whatever we can to get them out of that situation. We hate to see the panic in their eyes, the pain and discomfort, the helplessness. We want to do something instead of just standing by. Little do we know that we could injure them further in our attempts to get them unstuck. Their present condition may be uncomfortable and awkward, but it could be worse. Being stuck but stable may be safer than spiralling downward. Although it may feel counter-intuitive, the best approach is to wait patiently for God to handle the situation. He is skilled at helping those who are wounded and stuck. Our role is to help those who are injured to stay calm and wait for the Lord.

Meaningful Steps

“Remember your leaders, those who have spoken God's word to you. Think about the impact of their lives, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7 ISV)

I have an activity tracker that measures all my steps. It motivates me to keep active, even if it is to just get up off the couch and go get a cookie. This gadget assigns all of my steps equal value--whether I’m running uphill or leisurely walking through my house. Obviously, not every step I take has the same impact on my health. In order to have cardiac benefits, my exertion has to raise my pulse to at least 50% of my maximum heart rate. Other exercises such as yoga, resistance training, or calisthenics can also increase strength and flexibility, and thus might be more beneficial than merely walking back and forth through my house.

As I get older, I have learned to transition into more and more low-impact activities. What was a meaningful step in my 20’s does not have the same significance in my 40’s. Back then, I desired recognition, acceptance, respect, and to make a high impact on the world. I pursued these aspirations with intensity. These days, my ambitions are more low-key. I crave peace, health, stability, and simplicity.

Even though some things have changed over the years, others have not. I still take many steps each day that have very little value. I waste a lot of time in worry, distractions, and useless busywork. This gives me a false sense of productivity and significance.

How can we make the majority of our steps meaningful?

We can try to emulate those who live mindfully, purposefully, and faithfully; We can observe and learn how they consider each step and ensure it is in alignment with God’s purposes. Then we too can join the Apostle Paul in claiming: “I run with purpose in every step.” (1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT)

Fearless

“So, with HIM on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.” (Psalm 27:1 MSG)

We come into this world fearless--until we experience disappointment and become aware of our limitations--then, some of us become anxious and fearful of every eventuality, while others manage to have a slightly healthier mix of caution and courage.

As we become aware of how much our lives are affected by circumstances and realize how truly powerless we are--fear and trepidation soon follow. Naturally we get anxious when all we have to rely on are our own limited resources and skills.

A deep connection with God is the best antidote to fear. As our awareness of God’s unlimited love, power, and wisdom increases, our fear decreases. We learn to trust in God’s care and strength instead of in our own meager abilities. We realize that He is the beginning and the end, the author and the director, the initiator and the completer.

Lord, with you by my side, I have nothing to fear.

Taken for Granted

What are the things that you take for granted--the things that you neglect to recognize or appreciate until they are no longer functioning? When was the last time you appreciated your knees, eyes, digestive system, electricity, running water, or the roof on your home?

Are there people in your life whom you take for granted? We often fail to acknowledge the importance of certain individuals. We don’t even give them a second thought. We expect them to continue to be available, but neglect to express our appreciation for them. We assume they should automatically know that they are valued without us having to ‘show’ it.

Expressions of gratitude and appreciation may seem mushy and sentimental, but it can be incredibly bolstering to both the giver and the recipient. When I take time to acknowledge the value of my health, I feel strengthened. When I point out the positive characteristics of a person, they feel empowered.  Just as taking something/someone for granted can be diminishing, expressing appreciation shines a spotlight on it--thus allowing everyone to see its true value.

Apathetically Married

Couples who have been married for more than a decade could probably classify the current state of their relationship into one of the following categories: Unhappily Married, Miserably Married, Combatively Married, Apathetically Married, or Contentedly Married. Most of us cycle through each of these phases, but, unfortunately, some of us get stuck in one or more of the unpleasant stages. Many couples who are unhappy or miserable for prolonged periods end up dissolving their marriages; some may stay together to avoid social ostracization.

My observations lead me to believe that most couples who have been married for a long time settle into some form of apathy. They may still bicker about money or remind each other of responsibilities--but overall, they don’t care about the welfare of the other spouse--unless it somehow affects the rest of the family. Here are a few examples: your husband misplaced his favorite golf club, and you don’t really care that he is frustrated, OR  your wife is sad because the tomatoes she planted were destroyed by frost, and you don’t even notice that she is upset. In apathetic marriages, one or both spouses frequently ‘check-out’ emotionally. They stop caring.

The prevailing advice for resuscitating apathetic marriages involves having more fun together, or trying new hobbies, etc. Yet, pursuing distractions together doesn’t necessarily make us care more for one another. I think that reviving marriages requires Divine grace--and grace cannot be forced or managed. All we can do is be open and accepting of the grace that flows freely all around us.

Mental Deflation

Inflation and deflation are predictable signs of an unhealthy economy.  The value of a country’s currency may go up or down due to instability in its government, heavy debt, fluctuating exchange rates, and changes in investor expectations.

When our sense of worth is tied to external circumstances and societal expectations, we become vulnerable to a similar crisis of identity. One day we feel inflated; the next day we feel deflated. One day we feel like what we have to offer the world is valuable; the next day our whole existence seems meaningless. As our self-image fluctuates, we become unstable and ineffective--unsure of ourselves and unreliable to others.

How can we avoid this cycle of mental inflation/deflation?

Our sense of worth has to come from something less fickle than meeting expectations--whether they are our own or from others. Instead, our identity has to be based on solid trust in God.  Although I know this in theory, I have not been able to implement this consistently in my life. My emotions continue to fluctuate based on my perceptions and circumstances.

Lord, I pray that You will help us to be stable. Grant us the ability to trust you. Even though You don’t make everything work out according to our expectations, You never abandon us. Vulnerability merely presses us closer to You. As our egos deflate, may our bond with You become more and more secure.

On Hold with God

“My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.” (Psalm 69:3 NLT)

Last time I called the bank, I was put on hold for a long time. First, I had to listen to a recording that said: “Your call is very important to us.” Really? After what seemed like an eternity, a real live person answered the phone. She listened patiently to my request and then asked: “Can I put you on hold?” Sigh!  After a few minutes, she came back and said: “It’s going to take me a few more minutes to find the right person who can answer your question, but I just wanted you to know I haven’t forgotten about you.” This time, I was actually impressed.  

Oftentimes, when I pray, I feel like God puts me on eternal hold. Scripture verses remind me that ‘my prayers are very important to God.’ Yet, very rarely do I get a personal sign of reassurance that God has heard me and that He hasn’t forgotten about me.

My husband has a habit of putting the phone on speaker whenever he is placed on hold. He will go about his business, assuming it will be a while before anyone answers. Occasionally, he wanders too far from the phone, and misses his opportunity to talk with the person for whom he was waiting.

I wonder if God does send me signs of reassurance, but I am just not recognizing them. Maybe I am going about my business instead of waiting patiently. Maybe I wander too far, get distracted, and miss the gentle voice of God.

“Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the LORD hears the cries of the needy.” (Psalm 69:32-33 NLT)

Sensing God

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I shall not be afraid, for you are close beside me. (Psalm 23:4 NLT)

I am afraid of walking downtown after dark. Sometimes there are other people around, but I’m not sure which of them are friendly. I feel much braver when I have my husband beside me. This is one of those times I stick close to him. If he gets ahead of me, I will walk faster to catch up with him. If he lingers at a store, I stay with him. I’m not sure if my husband can fight off a bunch of bad guys, but I figure just having him close will dissuade the bad guys from approaching.

Even when we walk through the darkest valley, our Lord is close beside us. Yet, sometimes we can’t sense His presence, and we become fearful and anxious.

I have noticed that some people seem to have higher spiritual sensitivity than others. I have also heard of those who have sudden spiritual insights that lead to deep transformation. How can we sense God? Is it an ability that some people are just born with? Or is it a skill that is developed by practice and discipline? I don’t know the answer. Either way, I suspect that God plays a bigger role than we do in the whole thing.  

Lord, even though You are always with us, sometimes we can’t sense your presence--and we become fearful and anxious. Please let us know you are with us in ways that we can understand.