Zero Gravity

Have you ever wanted to float in zero gravity like an astronaut in outer space? Well, there is a company called Zero G that will make this dream come true.  They will take you up in a plane that flies in parabolic maneuvers which create several spurts of weightlessness lasting 20-30 seconds each. For about $5000, you can expect to float freely and do mid-air acrobatics for a total of about 7 minutes.  Even though I wouldn’t pay that much for the experience, I am curious about how it feels to float freely.

“Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God.” (Matt. 6:25-26 MSG)

Sometimes, I notice people who operate from a place of complete abandon. Unconstrained by earthly attachments, they seem to be able to tap into a supernatural grace. I think we all have access to spiritual gifts, but most of us are limited by the gravity of this world's concerns. We can't fully enter into the zero-gravity floating that allows us to move with supernatural power. As long as we are focused on human behavior, human contribution, human relationships--we are limited. This is the gravity that pulls us back to earth.

God can and does operate within us, even when we are leading these limited, non-expansive, not-so-abundant, weighed-down-by-gravity lives. Yet, things could be so much better if we could let go of these earthly concerns and freely move in a space of grace.

Abundant Love

What prevents us from living in the flow? Is it a choice that we make continually, deciding to trust completely?

What limits us? I'm sure it's different for each of us. For me, it is fear, anxiety, the illusion of control, and the desire to be efficient, sensible, practical, and prudent.

These questions reminded me of the following verses: "I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!" (2 Corinthians 6:11-13 MSG)

My friend, SR, has stage 4 lung cancer. She has completely surrendered to God's will precisely because of her suffering. She has given up the illusion of control. She lives a wide-open, spacious, abundant life, splashing around in God's flowing stream, being carried by the current, willing to go wherever God carries her. I, on the other hand, am still collecting my canoe, paddles, life vests, food, water, bug spray, and first aid supplies; I'll most likely spend my entire life on this earth preparing for all possible eventualities and never enter the stream. When we have lots of options, it is difficult to trust God completely. SR could  choose to be bitter, discouraged, sorrowful--but instead, she has chosen a life of acceptance and glorifying God.

Shoved over Hurdles

I have a hard time distinguishing between 'my projects' and 'God's projects.' Recently, a thought came to me that I needed to do something for a particular person. I couldn’t tell if this was my own idea or some sort of divine nudge. I’ve had these kinds of thoughts before. I’ve noticed that if I wait long enough, I can talk myself out of following through on these notions. I usually tell myself that this doesn’t make sense, or that my motives are mixed up, or that the conditions are less than ideal.

I can filter out the urge to follow most promptings by deciding that my input will not make much difference in this situation. Obedience without analyzing the outcome is a HUGE hurdle for me. I want to know if my actions will have a positive impact. And since I can’t predict the results of most situations, I tend to hold back from getting involved.

This time, I obeyed without analyzing too much. God, in HIS grace, has pushed me over my barriers once again. I'm pretty sure that next time I come to this same hurdle, I will balk again, and God is going to have to shove me up and over every time.

The Secret of Contentment

My wants are unlimited. If I were granted three wishes, I would use one of them to ask for more wishes. Mostly I want non-material things--peace, health, safety--for myself and my loved ones. I want my son to have a good life. I want my husband to be safe and healthy. I want my friends to be free from all forms of suffering.  Since my wants continue to grow, I always feel needy. Yet, I have observed people all around me who are truly needy and still seem at peace.

Can we find peace in the midst of chaos? Can we find satisfaction when our desires are unmet? Can we feel full when we are actually empty? For example, is it humanly possible to feel contentment when your spouse is suffering due to  a terminal illness, or your son has a severe disability, or your home is being foreclosed because you’ve been unemployed for a year?

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:11-13 NLT)

The secret to contentment is not in having everything you want, but in learning how to live with whatever you have. And this is not a skill we acquire naturally. The lessons of contentment can only be mastered through supernatural strength and wisdom.

Offensive Weapons

(Armor of God Series)

Most of the time, we are in defense mode--merely trying to protect ourselves and our loved ones against evil. Should we even try to fight back? If so, how can we go on the offense against the powers of darkness?

“Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 NLT)

“God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges (discerns) a person's thoughts and intentions.” (Hebrews 4:12 GWT)

What does this even mean?

Spirit--conscious, essence, incorporeal (comes from the Latin spiritus which is a combination of the words for breath and action)

Word (as used in the Bible)--manifestation of God’s thoughts, revelation of God, expression of God. (comes from the Greek logos--embodying of an idea, reasoning as expressed by words)

In order to fight back, we need to seek and find the weapon first. Then, we need to grasp it and learn to use it skillfully. Listen for God--His Spirit is omnipresent;  His expressions are multitudinous. Breathe in His conscious essence; embody His revelations and expressions.

We can push forward with what has been revealed--the comprehensible part of the incomprehensible, the experienceable edge of the inexperienceable, the conscious tip of the divine consciousness.

Shield of Trust

(Armour of God Series)

I pride myself on being fiscally savvy. I’m the kind of person who reads reviews before every purchase and checks out annual financial statements of charities before I make donations. Recently, I felt a nudge to do something that didn’t make sense.  It wasn’t the most efficient or productive use of money or time.  The outcome of my decision was completely out of my control. I would also have to humble myself

in the process by giving up some long-held ideas. I was hesitant to follow this nudge. On the one hand, I sensed it was the right thing to do; on the other hand, I kept thinking of practical reasons why this was not such a good idea.

Flaming darts of doubt, confusion, skepticism, mixed emotions, insecurities, misgivings, weaknesses, and reminders of past misjudgements come at us continuously. We have to be able to trust in a power higher than our senses in order to shield ourselves from these arrows of fear.

Faith is unwavering trust in God. When we trust God completely, we can submit to His agenda, follow His nudges, obey his directions--even when they don’t make sense to us. Trust allows us to obey without knowing every detail of a plan, to start without knowing the outcome. Trust makes us more user-friendly for God’s purposes.

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16 ESV)

Protect Your Foundation

(Armor of God series)

I like cute shoes. I admit that I  have a weakness for impractical yet fabulous footwear. Yet, I have learned that there is a time for high heels and a time for running shoes.  Once a week, I do a long run.  I prepare my feet by moisturizing, putting on socks that wick away moisture, and carefully lacing up my most comfortable running shoes. This is a time for stability and firm footing. I don’t want blisters or twisted ankles. My feet are going to be my main contact point with the ground. The shoes are meant to protect and cushion my feet from continuous pounding for the next few hours. Even a tiny pebble or a seam in my socks can be chafing.  

Peace and stability are essential when enduring spiritual battles.  Anxiety and agitation sap our strength. Minor irritations can lead to debilitating injuries that prevent us from finishing what we set out to do.  Our extremities may not seem vital, but these contact points with the world are what allow us to stand our ground and to move forward. So we must protect our foundation.  

“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” (Ephesians 6:15 NLT)