Run Straight

“I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 GWT)

Have you ever been at a crisis point? Do you feel like you are in a period of desperation right now? When we are in trouble, when we feel overwhelmed and exhausted, it is natural to get disoriented.  We can’t figure out what to do or whom to turn to for help.  We find ways to release our tension; we talk to our friends and loved ones; we search online for solutions.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Wherever you are in life right now, whatever the problems you face--the final solution is with God. When you are stressed, it is tempting to run around haphazardly, looking for answers everywhere. But the shortest distance between a crisis point and the end point is to run straight to Jesus.

Lord, once again, I find myself at a point of desperation. Help me not to slow down, take breaks, or deviate from the direct path that leads to You. May I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.  

God's Investments

“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29 NLT)

God invests in each of us differently. He endows us with talent, opportunity, physical and mental health, emotional stability, beauty, intelligence, strength, drive, work ethic, self-discipline, character, optimism, faith, love, security, peace, space, energy, time, resilience, attentive families, and  supportive friends. Some gifts often go unnoticed, yet they are as precious as gemstones. Humility, patience, wisdom, insight, kindness, goodness, and  grace are rare, hidden jewels. The timing and amounts of the assets invested in each of us also change  according to God’s long-term goals. It is easy to take some gifts for granted, because we have always had them. We assume that things that come naturally to us are not as worthy as things for which we strive. Yet, when our inherent gifts diminish even slightly, we are  devastated.

What do we do with God’s investments? Do we reinvest them  for maximum returns? Or, do we treat them with indifference? When we find ways to share our gifts to benefit others, we end up with significant dividends. We become partners in divine work. God’s zone of influence expands exponentially.

Lord, help us to recognize Your investments in us. Show us how to use these gifts to further Your sphere of influence.

Spiritual Reserves

“The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.” (Matthew 25:3-4 NLT)

We are called to be Christ’s attendants, waiting expectantly for His arrival. Our physical lives are like lamps. We may polish the outside, we may decorate it with shiny gems--but, unless there is enough oil, we cannot shine. The oil is the spiritual fuel that makes our lamps give off light. Most of us have minimal spiritual reserves. When the darkness extends beyond our expectations, we burn out.

When I go on a trip, I make sure my phone is charged all the way. I also make sure and pack the charging cable in my purse within easy reach. If I’m waiting at an airport, I look for an electric socket and plug my phone in--even if my phone is still at 50% charge. I also carry around a portable power bank. This little device can store enough power to charge your smartphone in an emergency. The night before every long trip, I make sure my power bank is charged all the way, too. Why am I so careful about keeping my smartphone charged? I know how much I depend on it daily. I also know things rarely go as expected when I travel.

We depend on God’s power to guide us. Life’s unexpected troubles drain our strength and discernment. How can we increase our spiritual reserves? We must fill up with the Spirit...and then some. Take every opportunity to recharge with prayer. Be still and soak in God’s presence. Put in the extra time and effort to stock up on sacred fuel. Then, even when things go sideways, we will be prepared.

Holy Spirit, fill us with Your power. Remind us that we can handle all things through Christ who gives us strength.

Frequent Praise

“Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right.” (Psalm 119:164 MSG)

I was raised to believe that praise, expressions of love, and words of gratitude were to be handed out carefully; otherwise your words would lose their value, and the recipients would get puffed up with pride. As I got older, I realized that this was hogwash! I am still careful not to say insincere things just to please someone. These days, I don’t hesitate to express positive thoughts when they well up inside me. I realize that this may make me appear less dignified, but I do it anyway.

Each day, I have unlimited opportunities to be grateful. I also have plenty of chances to grumble. The more I fret, the more I notice things to fret about. The more I praise and thank God, the more I recognize His glorious presence, power, and love surrounding me. This perspective of gratitude and praise doesn’t come naturally to me; it has to be cultivated.  I have to intentionally take breaks throughout each day to praise and thank God for setting everything right.

I shall praise You, Lord, for You are amazing. I shall thank You, Lord, for all that You have done and all that You are about to do.

Are you Dependable?

"Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day. Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God-blessed man or woman.” (Matthew 24:45-46 MSG)

We have all heard of what happens when parents go on vacation and leave their teens alone. Young people tend to see this as an opportunity to be irresponsible. I remember seeing a movie where the parents came home early and found cop cars in the driveway, the house full of underage teens, beer bottles strewn all over the house and yard, the dog digging through the neighbor’s trash because it hadn’t been fed for days, and the younger brother locked in his room.

Our Father has left us in charge of this earth. We are expected to take care of our home, our weaker siblings, our animals, and plants. We are not meant to indulge ourselves and do whatever we please. Don’t argue with each other over whose turn it is to wash the dishes or clean the floors. Just step up and do what needs to be done. Be dependable. Be prepared for our Father to return at anytime.

Lord, may we take care of the people and things that belong to You. Forgive us for any lapses. Help us to be dependable. We want to please you.

Occupied with God

“You have...one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.” (Ephesians 4:6  MSG)

Our body is mostly made up of water. Even at a cellular level, water is the main component of every living thing. The earth’s surface has more water than land. Yet, we rarely pay much attention to this essential source of life. Instead, we are preoccupied by ‘other’ things like food, fuel, land, and wealth.

Similarly, God permeates everything. Yet, our minds are crowded with ‘other’ issues. We fail to notice that the Divine suffuses every aspect of life. Our time is occupied with nonessentials.

“In the spiritual life, the word discipline means "the effort to create some space in which God can act." Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you're not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied.” (Henri Nouwen)

In order to be whole, our lives have to reflect the truth that everything is saturated by God’s Spirit. This requires discipline. We must create space, make time, remain free and available. The desire to occupy our lives with that which brings us validation, pleasure, and comfort is high. We must vigilantly restrain ourselves from these temptations. When we leave room for God to act, He reveals His presence in everything. Our thoughts, our actions, and our being become suffused by His Oneness.

Lord, may we be completely occupied with You.

WHOLE

“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.” (Ephesians 1:4 MSG)

Some days, we feel like Humpty Dumpty. Things have happened in our lives that have caused us to fall. We have experienced failure, disappointment, and disillusionment. We have made mistakes, and now we don’t trust our own judgment. We are broken. Pieces are missing. We doubt we can be put back together again.

Yet, God planned for us to be whole. Like a doctor who treats his own child, He reconstructs us carefully. He realigns the fractured bones and stitches up our wounds. He does whatever is necessary for proper healing. He gently restores us to our intended purpose. We are made whole and holy by his love.

Lord, take our deficiencies and our brokenness. Realign us to your original intended purpose. Make us whole.