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Showing posts with label 1 Corinthians 6:17. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Corinthians 6:17. Show all posts

Monday, April 20, 2020

Communion in Chaos

“The one who joins himself to the Lord is mingled into one spirit with him.” (1 Corinthians 6:17 TPT)
Jane is a dog breeder whom I know. Along with all the turmoil of a global pandemic, she has a bit extra on her plate. Her dog had a litter of puppies. For the next eight weeks, she will care for the mama dog and the fragile puppies. She accepts the sleepless nights, the backaches, and the clutter without complaint. Her to-do list is long and time sensitive; yet, she has learned to pray and trust in the midst of the mess. She has a family and other dogs that need attention, too. She says her heart is enlarged by all the loving. In a few months, the puppies will be sent to new homes. Jane is careful about matching each puppy to the right humans. She realizes that she is not in control of the future--no matter how much effort she applies. Jane sees the puppies as gifts from God. She depends on God to guide and strengthen her during this time. She has discovered that prayer and trust are essential, especially in the chaos of life. 
In this time of uncertainty, most of us are experiencing some level of disruption.  Like a litter of puppies, a new set of concerns have popped up in our lives. Our routines have been upended, plans have been postponed, and the future feels murky. We still have to handle our regular responsibilities too. In the middle of chaos, communing with God may seem difficult, but it is essential. We can’t wait for things to settle down. We must learn to pray and trust in the midst of the mess. We are not in control no matter how much effort we apply. We can depend on divine guidance and strength. God is present in the chaos, willing and eager to commune with those who seek Him earnestly. 
“Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 TPT)

Monday, August 26, 2019

Caring and Praying

“The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. (1 Corinthians 6:17 NLT)

When we pray, we participate with God in His work. We enter into a private space with Jesus and shut the door behind us. This is the time to share our concerns, fears, hopes, questions, gratefulness, and supplications. When we are praying for others, we bring them with us into the Lord’s presence. We submit them to God. Like an assistant who works with a healthcare provider, we become part of the care team. 

Prayer is a form of spiritual care. When we pray, our eyes and ears are opened, our hearts are softened, and we are able to perceive what we couldn’t before. Prayer brings clarity, patience, empathy, love, forgiveness, and wisdom. The more we pray, the more we become invested. It is impossible to continually pray for someone and not care about them. As we submit our concerns to God and wait with expectation, we learn to depend on Him rather than on our own resources. We grow in intimacy and trust, joined in one spirit with the Lord.