In the Spirit

“And instantly I was in the Spirit...” (Revelation 4:2 NLT)

I know a young couple who recently moved in together. She had the bigger apartment, so they decided to move his stuff into her space rather than vice versa. Whenever they had duplicate pieces of furniture or household items, they had to decide which ones to keep. More often than not, they decided it would be more convenient to keep her stuff where it was rather than move his items into the apartment. If you walk into their home right now, it’s more a reflection of her tastes than his.

Many of us ask the Holy Spirit to move into our lives. We don’t want to relinquish our stuff; we don’t want to give up our space where we feel in control. We would rather that the Spirit work around our identity and our aspirations.

Instead of asking the Spirit to move into our dark, cramped spaces, let us seek to move into His place; it is roomier and filled with light. Relinquishing all our ‘stuff’ will be a difficult adjustment. However, it is better to accommodate ourselves to the divine realm rather than seek to squeeze the Spirit into our mortal tents. When we move in with Him, our lives will become a reflection of His nature. We will no longer be in control. We shall yield to His preferences--no longer caught up in our own agendas but deeply embedded in Spirit-influenced territory.  

Lord, help me move in with Your Holy Spirit and live in your brilliant presence.

Comfort the Weary

“The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.” (Isaiah 50:4 NLT)

There was a time in my life when I was always exhausted. During that phase, I couldn’t focus on anything but my diminishing reserves. Everything was blurry, including God. However, I was fortunate enough to have a few good friends who talked me through--encouraging me with words of wisdom and comfort.

These days, I feel like God shakes me awake early in the morning saying:

Now it is your turn. Early morning is the best time for focused study--so get up out of bed. Listen. Pay attention to what I have to say. Pass on my words of wisdom. Encourage those who are despairing. Comfort those who are weary. Pray for the afflicted. Give hope to the despondent. Reach out to those who are sinking. Be diligent and disciplined. Do not procrastinate. Express what I put in your heart--according to MY time, not just when it is convenient for you. Do not get distracted by your own agenda. Allow MY insights and intentions to come through. Communicate MY truth.

Longings of My Soul

“All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God.” (Isaiah 26:9 NLT)

I’m a restless sleeper. I wake up several times each night. I check the time, get a sip of water from the bottle on the nightstand, apply lip balm, and pull the blanket up over me--all in an attempt to get comfortable. I lie awake for hours in a state of semi-consciousness. My mind shapes my anxious thoughts into groggy prayers. My soul keeps searching--buffering in endless loops--waiting for a full picture. My spirit reaches out--feeling around in the dark, hoping to find fulfillment and peace.

I get up out of bed well before dawn. The house is blissfully quiet since my family is still asleep. I get a cup of coffee and settle down in my big, comfy chair. This is my time to earnestly seek God.  I ask that my  eyes be opened--to be awakened completely to God’s presence around me. I study scripture. I take notes. I thank God for who HE is and what HE has done. I submit all my concerns, and then, wait--listening attentively; I take more notes; I pray: Lord, may who I am and what I do today be shaped by Your influence and Your intentions.

Healing

“Stretch out your hand with healing power;” (Acts 4:30 NLT)

I have a friend who seems to have the ‘gift of healing.’ She will touch people, pray for them, and some of them are healed. According to her, God’s healing power is available for all who are receptive. I’m skeptical about this whole thing. It raises a lot of questions for me: Why are some healed, but not all? Is it necessary to physically touch the person? How do we know that someone is really healed? If the healing power is from God, what part do humans play in it? I asked my friend these questions, but her answers seemed vague to me. I prayed for understanding, but nothing came to me.

This morning, I was watering my indoor plants. I have a sink near my plants, but I need some sort of container to transfer water from the faucet to the plants. I usually keep a pitcher next to the plants for this purpose, but I will use whatever is available--cups, bowls, cans--as long as it fits under the faucet and it’s not difficult to handle. Containers may have the capacity to carry water, but they don’t have the capacity to understand botany and the growth process.

This must be how God’s healing power works. We are His containers. He will use anyone who is available and receptive. We have to be open and willing to be used.  We have to patiently wait under Him, until we are filled.

I’m still not clear about all the details, but I felt that God helped me understand one small part of this mystery. My part is to daily choose to be available, obedient, trusting, and willing--even though I may never understand how the whole process works.

Knowing Jesus

“Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me.” (Luke 13:27 MSG)

Recently, someone asked me if I knew one of my husband’s coworkers. I replied: “I don’t know the guy personally, but I know of him.” I had heard my husband talk about this guy several times. I knew that he was married, had two kids, played golf, and liked to buy the latest gadgets. I had seen him at the holiday parties and briefly exchanged pleasantries. I knew a lot about this guy, but it was all second-hand information. I had not spent much time with him or had any deep conversations with him.

Many of us who claim to know Jesus merely know of him. We may have heard about him from others or read about him or seen images of him. However, we don’t work with him or ‘do life’ with him. Our attitudes and behavior do not reflect a personal connection with Christ. We cannot have an intimate relationship with Jesus unless we are willing to give of ourselves completely, admit our vulnerabilities, and remain fully attentive to him.

Lord, reveal Yourself to us. Help us to know You and realize we are known by You.

Zoom Out

“Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

When I’m looking at a map online, I use the zoom feature quite a bit. First, I like to zoom out to get the big picture; then, I zoom in to whatever detail I want to focus on.

When I am faced with a problematic situation, I tend to zoom in. This only magnifies the problem. If I would zoom out a bit, I would notice God in the picture. He is right there in every scene. I do not have to be afraid when the Lord is present.

Perhaps you are facing a troublesome issue right now. Zoom out. Look for God. Then, zoom in and focus on HIM.

“So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe.” (Hebrews 3:1 MSG)

Dependence on God

“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me - The very thing you've been unwilling to do.” (Isaiah 30:15 MSG)

As part of my training for running, I have been using unstable surfaces to increase balance and strengthen my core. There are a lot of ways to do this: One can run on uneven trails, use bosu balls or wobble boards, or even stand on one leg on a pillow. Since I am usually one of those people who avoids uncertainty and instability at all costs, the fact that I’m voluntarily seeking unstable situations might seem goofy. But, I have learned several things from these new exercises. First of all, I have to focus more than I would on a stable surface. I have to engage my core. I notice that I throw my arms out and up a lot when I’m off balance.

Uncertainty prods us to engage our core faith. It shifts our focus. We realize that our natural abilities and resources are not as dependable as we thought. This forces us to relinquish our illusions of self-sufficiency, security, and balance. We are more likely to throw up our hands and ask God for help. The more we practice, the more we get the hang of this new way of living. In time, we learn to settle down in complete dependence on God.

Longing for Heaven

“We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.” (2 Corinthians 5:2 NLT)

I have two elderly aunts who have been bedridden for quite a long time. They cannot even get up to use the bathroom. They are both ready to be with the Lord. They are tired and frustrated about their present living conditions. They long to dwell in their heavenly bodies.

My body and mind are still functional, so my focus is still on the world and what it has to offer. When I feel overwhelmed with despair, then, I long for heaven.

Suffering forces us to seek relief--whether by numbing our pain with worldly addictions and distractions, or by transcending the agony by focusing on God. As long as we live in our earthly bodies, the struggle between the physical and the spiritual continues on a daily basis. We slide back and forth on the spectrum. On good days, we are given glimpses of our true home. This helps us focus more on that which is beyond our sensory perception. We long for wholeness. We hope for restoration. We wait in anticipation--to be transformed into the glorious beings that God intended us to be.

Inappropriate Choices

“Free me from hidden traps” (Psalm 31:4 MSG)

A few months ago, a friend of mine was approached by a non-profit, start-up company. This business would be beneficial to the local community. The guy who was spearheading the operation was personable and charismatic. He was able to convince my friend to invest in his vision and become a board member. After looking at all the accounting and getting to know more about this organization, she has discovered several problems. Yet she is reluctant to pull out. She feels trapped by her sense of loyalty.

Choices that seem harmless at first can turn out to be hidden traps that plunge us into catastrophic pits. Speeding while driving can cause fatal crashes; casual flirting online can destroy marriages; taking a few extra pills or a couple of drinks to ‘take the edge off’ can lead to an addiction. We don’t always end up facing the ramifications of our bad choices. Sometimes we get away with hundreds of mistakes before we face any consequences. The people around us might feel the effects of our behavior before we even notice that anything is amiss.

As long as we are making our own choices, it is inevitable that some of them will cause long-term damage. This is why it is important to live under the influence of God’s will. I’m not saying that this life will ever be trouble-free. However, the Lord’s perspective is superior to ours. If we follow Jesus closely, listening carefully, and responding obediently--we can avoid the hidden traps and pitfalls of evil.

Separation of Church and Faith

“I hate all this silly religion, but you, GOD, I trust.” (Psalm 31:6 MSG)

Many of the agnostics and atheists I have met are ex-church attendees who, for some reason or another, became disillusioned with religion. Unfortunately, many people cannot separate church and faith. Religion is merely the vocabulary we use to make sense of an incomprehensible God. The church system has become organized religion. It acts like scaffolding in the building stages of faith. But, just like scaffolding, it cannot support us for long. Religion is influenced by human interpretations and perspectives, and thus, distorted. It exchanges the glory of  the incorruptible God for something man-made and corruptible. Faith is much more than belief in a church system. Faith is trust in a God we cannot describe or understand completely.

When our religion buckles under the weight of life, we are forced to choose. Do we look for another church system? A different religion? Or are we ready to give up on belief in a higher power all together? For those of us who can manage to delineate our faith from all the man-made beliefs and practices, we are able to see the faint outline of a God who encompasses and infuses and enlivens everything.

Specific Prayers

"Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1 NIV)

Is there a point to praying specifically for certain people or circumstances? Why not just pray for the general well-being of all?  How about other logistics--like being physically near or touching the person for whom you are praying? Does it help to pray in a church? How about rote prayers, praying while fasting, or asking others to pray for you or your loved ones?

Fortunately, we can look to Jesus for the answer. He showed us many things about prayer by example. He prayed for the Father’s will to be done, and also for provisions, forgiveness, protection from temptation, and evil.  He prayed frequently and specifically. He often prayed alone. He was not hesitant to ask people about their specific needs and then pray out loud in front of everyone present. He touched those for whom he prayed.  He fasted at the beginning of his ministry. The Gospels describe him as praying mostly outdoors, unless he was with a sick person who had to be indoors. Jesus asked his disciples to pray with him. He doesn’t seem to be formulaic or rigid about prayer. He was always in open communication with the Father, allowing the Holy Spirit to flow and work through Him at all times.

Specific prayers allow us to notice God’s glory. When we follow the promptings of the Spirit--to pray for certain people, to ask for a resolution of a particular problem, or for healing--we set the stage for God to work. There is no set formula. We just have to share openly, listen attentively, and respond sincerely.

Blessed Much?

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48 NLT)

Have you been blessed more than you deserve? Most of us have been.  What are we going to do with all that we have been given?

For example, many of us have opportunities and resources that others do not have. Perhaps you have been blessed with physical health, intelligence, or a good job. Maybe you are able to live independently and have the freedom to choose how you spend your time and energy.  Or it could be that you have social skills that allow you to make people feel comfortable and personality traits that are beneficial. Possibly you can drive a car,  speak English, operate a computer, organize a home, cook a meal, read and write, balance accounts, teach, sing, or create inspiring art. We can use all these gifts to care for ourselves and our families. Can we use it for more?

Some of us have been given painful experiences in life. We have learned a great deal from our suffering. This might not seem like a blessing at the time, but years later we are able to acknowledge the value of these afflictions. We may have developed wisdom, resilience, and a different perspective because of our difficulties. Perhaps our faith is stronger. Can we use these experiences to help others?

All we are and have we owe to God. Everything in our lives, what seems beneficial, as well as what seems unfortunate, can be used in ways we can’t even imagine right now. God has invested much in us, entrusted much to us, and expects much from us. Thus, I pray that we “may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10 NIV)

Christ's Power

“This is the secret: Christ lives in you.” (Colossians 1:27 NLT)

“That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.” (Colossians 1:29 NLT)

I like superhero T-shirts. Unfortunately, they are usually sold only in junior sizes. I guess retailers don’t realize that grown women want to feel like superheroes too!  Recently I saw a woman with a T-shirt that said: I am a special education teacher. What’s your superpower?  Now, THAT is a great superhero T-shirt!

We must first recognize our superpower before we can use it. The Apostle Paul revealed the following secret: Christ lives in all of us. Whatever challenges or struggles we face, we can depend on Christ’s mighty power that works within us.

Most of us are used to functioning from our measly human powers instead of the Christ-power within us. We get through each day relying on our talents, wisdom, and resources. We have heard of people who operate under a higher power, but we find it difficult to change. It’s like trying to do everything with your non-dominant hand. It feels clumsy and inefficient. If you are a right-handed person, the only way you are going to start using your left hand consistently is if your right hand is incapacitated. Similarly, we resist our Christ-power until we can no longer rely on our human powers. When we get to the end of our rope, when we realize how useless and powerless we really are, then, we are ready to tap into the power of Christ within us.

Longing

“I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.” (Psalm 84:2 NIV)

My husband and I like to eat snacks while watching TV. Many evenings, we feel like eating ‘something’--but we are not sure what we are craving. We will rummage through the pantry and try a few bites of whatever we can find, but nothing really hits the spot.

The season of Advent is a time of waiting. Our hearts long for something that we can’t even verbalize. Most of us try to fulfill this indescribable yearning with busyness, thrills, novelty, decorations, food, wine, and purchases. Yet, we are left dissatisfied.

Our souls long for intimacy with God. We yearn to know Him, to be near Him, to feel His strength and tenderness. Our whole being cries out for what we crave. Nothing else will satisfy, so don’t even bother! Once we identify what we really desire, we can pursue it wholeheartedly. When we finally get it, we cannot help but express our joy.

“Always dreamed of a room in your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!” (Psalm 84:2 MSG)

Christ Light

“It started when God said, ‘Light up the darkness!’ and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 MSG)

I was walking through Walmart the other day when I saw one of the employees wearing a strand of Christmas lights. Apparently they sell battery-operated light sets. I have seen people wear these at holiday parties, too. It definitely attracts attention.

There are different ways that we can shine. Our first instinct is to use whatever little power we have at our disposal and wrap ourselves up in twinkling lights. We use our beauty, intelligence, talents, influence, charm, and any other resources to dazzle others. This does little to illuminate the darkness; it just calls attention to ourselves. Plus it only lasts for a little while. There is a better way. The anointing oil of the Holy Spirit burns in our depths, and the light of Christ shines within us. Unfortunately, many of us have buried this light under layers of fear, shame, guilt, distrust, self-reliance, pride, busyness, ambition, insecurities, and rigid religious beliefs.  Once we get rid of these barriers, the divine light shines through.

May your Christ light shine through the darkness.

The Edge of Trust

“I'm proof - Public Sinner Number One - of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off - evidence of his endless patience - to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.” (1 Timothy 1:16 MSG)

Most people who only knew me in my younger days would be surprised at the person I have become.  As a young woman, I was ambitious, prideful, and self-absorbed. I was determined to get my way and yielded to no one. I measured the worth of a person based on worldly standards. It took a few decades and a lot of life experiences...but I have changed. The primary reason for my metamorphosis: the sheer grace and mercy of God. Without this, every blessing could have made me arrogant, and every tragedy could have turned me bitter.

How far have I come? After years of timidity, I have entered the pool of faith. I have gotten wet. I am neck deep, but still holding on to the edge, afraid to let go completely. I am still learning to trust. God, in his infinite compassion, patiently calls me out into the deep. He uses my life as evidence of HIS transformative power. Those who are right on the outer edge of trusting God are watching...whether I am willing to leave the shallow end, whether I swim or sink.

Mary in Charge

“She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do...” (Luke 10:39-40 MSG)

Mary represents the contemplative side in each of us, while Martha symbolizes our desire to be useful.  Jesus describes what Mary does as essential, which implies that Martha’s busywork is non-essential. Unfortunately, most of us operate from a different paradigm. We think of visible, external actions as more valuable than internal work.  I spend less than 5% of my day emulating Mary, while my “Martha side” gets free rein over the rest of my time. Being Martha is empowering and oh-so-deeply satisfying. The more I accomplish, the more I feel validated. Being Mary, on the other hand, induces guilt. I have nothing to show for my time. It looks like I’m just sitting around being lazy and irresponsible.

What seems useful by worldly standards is often peripheral by spiritual standards. Contemplation opens the door to the interior of our being. Stillness, attentiveness, and study allow us to notice God’s presence. As we go deeper, we become more and more intimate with the Spirit.

It may seem that the world cannot get along without our Martha side. If we spent all our time in contemplation and prayer, who would do the laundry? I’m not advocating getting rid of useful, efficient Martha. I’m just suggesting she doesn’t need to be in charge all the time. Perhaps Mary can be the driver--allowing essential interior work to take precedence over exterior work. This way, our visible life becomes an expression of our invisible intimacy with God.

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.” (John 15:5 MSG)

The Least of These

"And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'” (Matthew 25:45 NLT)

I can admire a cute kitten in pictures, but since my son is allergic to cats, I wouldn’t want one in my home. I will admit, I am more of a ‘dog person’--especially if the dog looks anything like my beloved Golden Retriever. I will go out of my way to help an injured or lost dog. A few days ago, I saw a cat get hit by a truck on a rural highway. It was disturbing. I winced as I drove by, but I didn’t stop. You see, stray cats are very common where I live. Farmers use them to keep the mice population down. However, since they are rarely spayed or neutered, there are a lot of cats wandering around. It’s not that I hate cats; I’m just indifferent toward them.

It is natural for us to feel more compassion toward beings that evoke love and empathy from us. We are more likely to go out of our way to help a stranger if he/she reminds us of a loved one. It’s not that we hate people who look different; it’s just that we are more likely to be indifferent to their plight. Our country is going through a period where many of us are callous to the afflictions of those who are different from us. We have become a nation of alienation. This ‘us and them’ mentality is a breeding ground for discrimination, animosity, hate speech, racism, bigotry, paranoia, xenophobia, and persecution. We start viewing those who are different like sub-human pests who decrease our quality of life. We claim to be a Christian nation, but our values are far from Christ-like. We ignore those who are the least privileged; we can’t even acknowledge them as our brothers and sisters. When we refuse to help the ‘least of these’, we are rejecting Christ and His teachings.

The Good Samaritan

“Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29 NLT)

The following story could have taken place in any college town:

It was a Saturday night, and the bars and streets around campus were filled with drunk students. Most of the ‘decent’ townsfolk knew to stay away from the area after dark. However, one of the local churches was holding a fundraiser for Veterans. Thus, there were an unusual number of grown-ups driving through downtown this night. Unfortunately, many of them failed to notice Maria. She had been drugged and gang raped by a group of drunken frat boys. They had dumped her semi-conscious body on the street a few blocks away from their frat house.

Pastor Ed was on his way to the big fundraiser which was being held at his church. This event was going to give his church a lot of visibility in the community. There were many big donors and influential people coming to the event. He wanted to make sure he got there early enough to greet all the important people. As he drove through downtown, he noticed the slumped figure. He assumed it was just another drunken college student and drove on without stopping.

About twenty minutes later, a middle-aged woman named Jackie passed by the same scene. Jackie had been asked to be the Master of Ceremonies  for the fundraising event. She was really excited to have been chosen. She had spent hours getting her hair and makeup done. She was wearing a new outfit and expensive shoes. She noticed the semi-conscious woman leaning up against the building. She shook her head disapprovingly as she drove by.

Later that night, Abdul, a Muslim grad student from Palestine, also passed by that street. He was on his way to the lab where he worked. He too noticed the young woman.  He went over to check on her. As he got close, he realized that her clothes were torn, and she was barely conscious. Abdul wasn’t sure what to do. He knew that if he took her to the local hospital, he might be viewed as a suspect. He was in the U.S. on a student visa. What if they revoked his visa? He was afraid to get involved. He was hesitant to even touch this strange, inebriated, half-dressed woman. But his conscience wouldn’t let him leave her there either. He called 911 and explained the situation as well as he could with his thick accent. He waited for the paramedics and cops to arrive. He nervously answered their questions, all the while praying that he wouldn’t end up in Guantanamo prison.

It took a few days for the authorities to get the story straight. Fortunately, Maria regained consciousness and was able to identify the real suspects. Since Maria had served in the military before attending college, the local leaders used her story to solicit more donations for the Veteran’s fundraiser. Abdul’s name was never mentioned in the media. In a few years, he finished his Ph.D. and went back home to the West Bank of Palestine, which at one time was also known as Samaria.

Misplaced Hope

“We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God.” (Hebrews 6:18-20 MSG)

This world is a lot like a muddy valley teeming with people, dirt, and reptiles. Over time, many of us get used to living and amusing ourselves in the muck. Others look longingly at the mountains, wondering if they can scale those heights.  

Mountain climbers often look for fixed cables and chains that have been anchored into the rock surfaces by expert climbers that have gone before them. Mountaineers hang on to these fixed ropes as they ascend to new heights. However, if these climbing aids are not anchored securely, relying on them can cause fatal falls.

“Meaning well is not enough. Those who operate on the wrong information are likely never to know the reality of God’s presence in the decisions which shape their lives and will miss the constant divine companionship for which their souls were made.” (Hearing God, by Dallas Willard)

It is tempting to place our hope in other humans or on previous experiences or on our abilities and resources. This is a slippery slope. Our hope must be anchored in nothing but God’s transformational power. We can confidently grab hold of this lifeline with both hands, reaching past all obstacles into the very presence of God.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand. (Lyrics by Edward Mote)

Mercy

“May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.” (Jude 1:2)

I woke up knowing it was going to be a challenging day. I got my coffee and tried to settle down for my usual routine of prayer and study. However, I felt restless and uneasy.  I decided to put on some music and do a few yoga stretches as the sun rose over the ridge of trees behind my house. The lyrics from an old hymn caught my attention:

Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see...

What mercies would I notice this morning?

God has always been faithful. I have experienced more grace and forgiveness than I deserve. The Lord has allowed me to feel His strong arms underneath me, holding me up on challenging days like this one. He whispers words of encouragement and points out symbols of hope. His mercy, peace, and love stream in with the morning sun, alighting on my head, blessing me, washing over me. I am safe in the care of Jesus.

Spiritual Discipline

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

Long distance running is a difficult sport that requires a great deal of self-discipline. Most beginners start with good intentions but quit before they get very far. They have self-defeating conversations with themselves as they get tired: Why am I doing this? My body is not meant to do this! Everything hurts. I might injure myself. These days, there are online training programs that help you to gradually build up your miles over a few months. However, these programs don’t give much instruction on how to develop the mental stamina and fortitude that is also required for running.

Spiritual disciplines like contemplation, fasting, prayer, study, and service allow us to train our mind and body as we journey closer to God. Most of us are weighed down by self-indulgence. We don’t think we can alter our deep-rooted habits. We aren’t even sure if we want to change! We can either listen to the self-limiting, internal voices of fear and timidity, or we can train and develop self-discipline. In time, God’s power and love work within us, enabling us to accomplish infinitely more than we could imagine.

Feeding Trust

“Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3 AMP)

Psalm 37 starts off with the phrase: “Do not worry.” I must confess...worry is my natural response to most negative situations. It’s like a knee-jerk reaction that I can’t control. Fear and anxiety feed off of each other and create a cycle of despair. Nothing good comes out of this. Often, in a crisis situation, I am unaware of what is happening to me. It’s like being in an ambulance and getting hooked up to the wrong IV solution. I do not realize that the stuff that is being pumped through me is causing further damage.

In every emergency, what I need is an IV  infusion of trust in God. I need to feed on HIS faithfulness, not on my fears. Worrying makes me focus on my problems instead of on God. Dread shoots up into my mind, dominating every thought and infusing every emotion.

In order to be fueled by trust, I must submit to the Holy Spirit, relying confidently upon His care. I can trust Him to hook me up to the right solution. I will commit everything to Him--my disappointments, my frustrations, and my anger. I shall wait patiently in His presence, depending on Him to nurture,  restore, and sustain me.

LORD, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. (Psalm 119:116 NLT)

Reflections

“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” (Psalm 16:8 NLT)

Have you ever sat quietly near a lake and looked at all the reflections? Or are you one of those people who feels the need to skip rocks or shout across the expanse to hear your own echo? Perhaps you cannot enjoy a lake without going out on the water in a motorized boat, fishing, drinking, or being dragged behind on a flotation device. Most of us have difficulty being still. It feels passive and useless. We feel the need to always be doing something, even if it is unproductive.

Worrying is like churning the waters up--it may feel like we are doing something, but it merely muddles up everything. Listening and responding to the echoes of our own fears only increases our uneasiness. Meditation is like sitting still and looking at the reflections of a placid lake. It allows us to notice all that is present. When we listen to the silence, we hear God’s voice. When we look at the stillness, we see that He is right by our side. When we remain quiet, we are enveloped in His peace.

Lord, help us to cease striving. May we rest in confidence by Your side.

Compassionate Healing

“Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.” (Matthew 20:34 NLT)

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 20, two blind men ask Jesus for healing. The crowd tries to shush them, but they shout even louder for help. I wonder why the crowd wants them to be quiet?

Jesus has compassion on the blind men and heals them of their blindness. Their clear vision enables them to follow Jesus--not just tag along with the crowd.

Many of us go through our days blindly. We are unable to sense anything beyond our own viewpoints. Our perspective is limited to what is right in front of us. We are like a herd of buffalo. We keep moving because we don’t want to be left behind or trampled. Unfortunately, our lack of awareness sometimes causes us to follow the herd right off a cliff.

God is merciful. He knows our weaknesses better than we do. However, He waits for us to ask for help. As long as we are unaware of our sickness, we do not seek healing. We continue on with our mindless habits. The Spirit within us gets covered up by layer upon layer of indifference, distractions, and short-term pleasures. Then one day, our afflictions cut through the layers like a scalpel. We become painfully aware of the yuckiness within us and around us. We cry out to the Lord in desperation. The crowd around us says: Shush! You are making us uncomfortable.

But, we can no longer be quiet...we know we are unwell, unclean, and undiscerning. We must seek help.

“LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” (Psalm 107:13-15 NLT)

Seek the Giver

“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4 ESV)

When I was younger, I used to seek out friends who were fun, ambitious, clever, and successful. I aspired to be more like them. Being around them made me feel good about myself. As I grew older, I was drawn to different kinds of people--devoted mothers, people of sincere faith, and those who espoused simplicity and authenticity. Even though my values had changed, I was still looking for friends who could help me become who I wanted to be. I was more fixated on what my friends had to offer than on who they were as individuals. This realization was quite upsetting. I was not as good a friend as I thought. I resolved to change. These days, I focus more on the spirit of each person I meet, apart from the blessings they bring into my life. I seek to know their essence, to understand who they are apart from how they relate to me.

My relationship with God has also changed. I used to focus more on what God could provide and less on who God is. My needs were numerous and pressing. My prayer life consisted mainly of petitions. Getting to know God was secondary.  This realization was quite upsetting. I felt convicted to change. I asked God’s help.

Lord, teach me to trust You for WHO YOU ARE, not just for what You can do for me.