When we hear news that breaks our hearts, where do we turn?
Sunday night, I wanted to turn to anger.
What would that have solved?
Nothing, in fact, it would have created many more problems, like a law suit for starters.
However, now that I'm in a position of authrity, I had to seriously reconsider my feelings.
I began to realize, this person is no different than me.
I was once in their shoes.
What right do I have to judge?
I've been forgiven of each and every sin in my past, they can be too.
Especially by me who should understand more than anyone.
So I turned to love. Not my love, but Christ's love.
How did the people I disappoint feel so many years ago when I wound up in those same shoes?
Probably the same as I do now.
But they too showed me love.
I was so at home with my church family, after feeling their love and acceptance, I was able to move on.
However, at the slightest judgement, I wanted to run. Far and fast.
But they didn't judge me. They loved me.
When someone disappoints us, our first reaction may be to get angry, it may be to take them by the shoulders and pin them against the wall and say, "Look at me!! Look at where I was! DO NOT GO THERE!!!!"
But by the love and compassion we've been shown by the One who created us, we realize we are, by the grace of that Creator, not in the same shoes, and thus, the love overflows...
and in some ways, when the love overflows, the feelings of pain and hurt become worse.
We're vulnerable again.
Once we've been burned, we want to close it off, and then what happens when we open up again?
Disappointment.
But then I looked at their life.
It's falling apart.
They're grasping at whever makes sense right now.
And right now...
it's what could really hurt them.
I ache for them right now.
But I'm just a leader in their church.
I'm not the parent...and if I was, you'd bet they'd be pinned...
But I'm not.
I've still got my little boys to think about.
I've still got my family who needs me to be all I can be and not dwell on this.
So now I can only hope.
WHAT?!!!
THATS IT??!!!!
THATS ALL I GOT?!
Surely with the relationship we've had, with the authority I've got....
No.
That's it.
BULL!!!!
Sorry, Kel. Nothing you can do.
YOU'RE WRONG!
Sorry.
I'm going to DO something.
I'm going to be on my FACE for her...and ask God what to TALK about with her...
SHE. CAN. SILL. BE. RESCUED.
I DONT BELIEVE YOU.
THIS STUPID POLICITALLY CORRECT VOICE IN MY HEAD...
I'm going to do all I can for the people I love...and she's one of them.
Q4u:
In a situation that involved someone else...did you do what you could or did you look away?
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Prayer Requests
Last night at church, I sat and listened to all the requests we had from our small group of believers.
There were SO many!
We live in such a broken world! A child of 3 has leukemia, her 6 year old sister is scared to death. A really sweet lady is in the hospital... The list could go on...for HOURS! There are so many things to be praying for!
But I wonder:
As desperate as we are for God to heal and fix...what are you THANKFUL for?
There were SO many!
We live in such a broken world! A child of 3 has leukemia, her 6 year old sister is scared to death. A really sweet lady is in the hospital... The list could go on...for HOURS! There are so many things to be praying for!
But I wonder:
As desperate as we are for God to heal and fix...what are you THANKFUL for?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A Time of Silence
I've read several good posts today about the waiting and listening process we writers must encounter in order to have conflicts solved, spend time with our Savior and learn about ourselves.
I have lately been writing in the early hours of the day.
Well, this week, we're doing VBS from 6-9pm. which means we get back to our house at about 10pm. No baths for the kids or nighttime routines have been done by 10 PM!!!!
Yesterday morning, I prayed as usual to receive guidance from God on what to write and where to take my story, but when I sat down to the computer, half-blank screen staring at me, blinking cursor mocking me, I just sat there, and did nothing.
I had 30 minutes alone in front of that computer, and nothing came out. I just stared at it, unable to do anything, blank. Nothing. Zilch, Nada.
I could have been frustrated, but instead, I picked up my VBS book and studied my lesson.
I'm co-teaching the youth this year, which is where my heart is, but I don't usually teach, I'm not comfortable teaching that age group. I suppose I'm used to teaching 3yr olds, and 3yr olds are so animated when they listen to stories, youth just kinda...stare at you.
However, despite recent crappy teaching sessions, where the only thing anyone ever learned was that I'm a terrible youth teacher, I taught a class yesterday...and LOVED it!
I was more animated with them, and held onto my thoughts, kept pushing toward the mark, and I know yesterday morning when I couldn't write a sinlge word on that computer, God was beckoning me toward that lesson.
The extra time I had preparing for it, and preparing MYSELF for it by focusing and BEING with God is what focused me on LETTING God teach that lesson through me.
I believe I'm entering a time of silence in my writing, at least for this week while VBS insues. After this, I look forward to spending that 5am hour on writing...and I know God's gonna give it to me, cause when He wasn't there, N-O-T-H-I-N-G.
This time of Him not breathing through me shows me that He's really there when something is left on the screen after 60 minutes pass.
Please pray for our VBS this week, and pray that through us someone will see Christ.
What are your prayer requests for this week?
I have lately been writing in the early hours of the day.
Well, this week, we're doing VBS from 6-9pm. which means we get back to our house at about 10pm. No baths for the kids or nighttime routines have been done by 10 PM!!!!
Yesterday morning, I prayed as usual to receive guidance from God on what to write and where to take my story, but when I sat down to the computer, half-blank screen staring at me, blinking cursor mocking me, I just sat there, and did nothing.
I had 30 minutes alone in front of that computer, and nothing came out. I just stared at it, unable to do anything, blank. Nothing. Zilch, Nada.
I could have been frustrated, but instead, I picked up my VBS book and studied my lesson.
I'm co-teaching the youth this year, which is where my heart is, but I don't usually teach, I'm not comfortable teaching that age group. I suppose I'm used to teaching 3yr olds, and 3yr olds are so animated when they listen to stories, youth just kinda...stare at you.
However, despite recent crappy teaching sessions, where the only thing anyone ever learned was that I'm a terrible youth teacher, I taught a class yesterday...and LOVED it!
I was more animated with them, and held onto my thoughts, kept pushing toward the mark, and I know yesterday morning when I couldn't write a sinlge word on that computer, God was beckoning me toward that lesson.
The extra time I had preparing for it, and preparing MYSELF for it by focusing and BEING with God is what focused me on LETTING God teach that lesson through me.
I believe I'm entering a time of silence in my writing, at least for this week while VBS insues. After this, I look forward to spending that 5am hour on writing...and I know God's gonna give it to me, cause when He wasn't there, N-O-T-H-I-N-G.
This time of Him not breathing through me shows me that He's really there when something is left on the screen after 60 minutes pass.
Please pray for our VBS this week, and pray that through us someone will see Christ.
What are your prayer requests for this week?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Book Club
Okay, I'm praying about joining the ACFW Book Club.
I love the Statement of Faith they have on their application.
It's 50.00 to join and 40.00 anually after that.
Not much considering all I'd get from them.
Friends, better conference pricing, classes, all that good...okay...GREAT stuff...but I only have so much monay I put into my writing envelope for writing expenses (per week).
Back at Christmas, I bought about ten books with a deal Christianbook.com had going. I gave away two or three for my Secret Sister, and kept several for myself. I'm still reading them, so I'm not going to purchase books anytime soon with this money, but...should I do this?
I feel like a book club is a big responsibility, one that I don't want to take lightly.
I've got the money reserved for writing expense...
I'm still seeking out God's wisdom
I believe He's given me you ladies/gents and our writerly connections for a reason, so I'm asking your opinions as well.
Q's4U:
What would you do, given the opportunity?
What have you done about it?
Are book clubs really worth the expense?
Do you find that you are growing due to the expense and responsibility?
I love the Statement of Faith they have on their application.
It's 50.00 to join and 40.00 anually after that.
Not much considering all I'd get from them.
Friends, better conference pricing, classes, all that good...okay...GREAT stuff...but I only have so much monay I put into my writing envelope for writing expenses (per week).
Back at Christmas, I bought about ten books with a deal Christianbook.com had going. I gave away two or three for my Secret Sister, and kept several for myself. I'm still reading them, so I'm not going to purchase books anytime soon with this money, but...should I do this?
I feel like a book club is a big responsibility, one that I don't want to take lightly.
I've got the money reserved for writing expense...
I'm still seeking out God's wisdom
I believe He's given me you ladies/gents and our writerly connections for a reason, so I'm asking your opinions as well.
Q's4U:
What would you do, given the opportunity?
What have you done about it?
Are book clubs really worth the expense?
Do you find that you are growing due to the expense and responsibility?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Write This Way...
I. Love. Writing.
I love it.
As tired and as overwhelmed as it can get (you writers know what I mean), I love it.
Why else would we write...it's not an easy task, and the paycheck...?
However, I have a secret weapon...and no, it's not spell check.
My secret weapon is this:
I've got God.
My characters seem to speak to me, but I know Who it really is. I have these ideas, but I know Who's they really are. I have words on a blank screen, I know Where they're really from.
They're not mine.
I've asked God to take this book, this incredible book that's been placed on my lap via a great, long time, trusted, loving caring, dear friend of mine.
It's way bigger than me. Way bigger.
I'm writing about hard stuff, and He's where I get my strength.
Each morning, before I sit down to write, I journal. I ask God to lead my words, thoughts, phrases etc and mold it into what He'd have it to be (well, as far as first drafts are concerned)
I've been given a great critique partner.
We found each other in college, but now we're actually close, and I love her. She's amazing.
God. Is. Working.
I have this idea that isn't mine, but I'm doing my best to make it God's, and He's answering back.
Each time there are words on my screen, I hear from Him.
My form of worship is writing.
I'm writing for me, and for God. That's our time.
It's sacred, special, perfect.
Okay, so not perfect, my other weapon is the backspace key...
But still, I know where the inspiration comes from, and I love tapping into that inspiration and finding how much God loves me through what He has me write.
The Bible may be the Greatest Love Letter ever written,
But my little notes from God are super special to me.
p.s. Sorry it's been so long, dear faithful followers, I love you mcuh.
How do you look at writing?
Is it worship? Release? Comfort?
What drives you in what you do?
Why do you love this so much?
I love it.
As tired and as overwhelmed as it can get (you writers know what I mean), I love it.
Why else would we write...it's not an easy task, and the paycheck...?
However, I have a secret weapon...and no, it's not spell check.
My secret weapon is this:
I've got God.
My characters seem to speak to me, but I know Who it really is. I have these ideas, but I know Who's they really are. I have words on a blank screen, I know Where they're really from.
They're not mine.
I've asked God to take this book, this incredible book that's been placed on my lap via a great, long time, trusted, loving caring, dear friend of mine.
It's way bigger than me. Way bigger.
I'm writing about hard stuff, and He's where I get my strength.
Each morning, before I sit down to write, I journal. I ask God to lead my words, thoughts, phrases etc and mold it into what He'd have it to be (well, as far as first drafts are concerned)
I've been given a great critique partner.
We found each other in college, but now we're actually close, and I love her. She's amazing.
God. Is. Working.
I have this idea that isn't mine, but I'm doing my best to make it God's, and He's answering back.
Each time there are words on my screen, I hear from Him.
My form of worship is writing.
I'm writing for me, and for God. That's our time.
It's sacred, special, perfect.
Okay, so not perfect, my other weapon is the backspace key...
But still, I know where the inspiration comes from, and I love tapping into that inspiration and finding how much God loves me through what He has me write.
The Bible may be the Greatest Love Letter ever written,
But my little notes from God are super special to me.
p.s. Sorry it's been so long, dear faithful followers, I love you mcuh.
How do you look at writing?
Is it worship? Release? Comfort?
What drives you in what you do?
Why do you love this so much?
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Strength For Today
May our stomaches be easily filled,
May our hearts be eager to love,
May our bellies be quick to laugh,
May our hands be busy with God's work.
Lord, fill us with Your Word
Fill our hearts with Your love
Fill our bellies with Your laughterFill our days with Your purpose.
“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.”- Psalm 138:8 (today's daily bible verse, biblegateway.com)
His hands crafted me inside my mother's womb.
He has created a gift in me that I WILL use for His purpose.
I can't be held down by silly lies by the Father of Lies.
I refuse to believe when he tells me I'm not good enough.
So what if I'm not, God has given me the ability to learn, and He'll teach me the right way, and will love me through any snags along the way.
Lord, give me strength to continue in what I do not know, help me to move past the pain of learning about this world that so easily set you aside. Stay close beside me as I walk through the darkness of selfish men and decisions.
Be the Light on my path.
Help these people reading this post know You love them with an everlasting love and will fight with them and for them. You are not a god waiting for us to mess up, judging our faults and failures.
You are a God who is with us on the battlefield, standing beside us, in us, and for us. You are the God who suffers with your children when they lose a parent, go through tragedy, or other hardships this broken world offers. You are the One who is always praying for us...
"26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:26-27
(read the post on this verse HERE)
Remind us why we do what we do.
I love you, blogsphere friends.
Thank you SO much for the encouragement you've given me over the last few weeks.
I hope you receive a little of the encouragement you've shown to others and myself.
Have a GREAT day, family!
Much love!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Write What Hurts
Lately, I've been finding it hard to move past the simple daily tasks:
Brush teeth,
Get kids ready
Work for 10 hours
Get kids home
Softball?
Church?
Bed
Do it again the next day.
But, thank God I'm a Christian, I don't know how the other half of the population survives w/o Christ in their hearts.
I have to confess this:
One morning, I awoke to my dastardly alarm clock. I shut if off, quite forcefully, and went back to bed.
That's not the bad part...that's the mild part.
I HEARD my Savior calling to me. I literally HEARD Him.
What happened?
I was already lost in sleep.
Yeah...ouch.
Can you imagine the special time we could have had?!
But what did He offer when I woke up alert at six, saddened by my mistake?
Joy.
Yes. That Joy Unspeakable.
I love my Savior. If you don't know Him, ask me, but what a JOY!
..."They will soar on wings like eagles"
I was happy to read that.
Despite the energy sapping days I have, I can STILL have joy.
Amazing.
Purely Amazing.
..."but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
As a runner, I GET the not grow weary part, walk and not faint...if you're in Florida, you'd better have a gallon o' wata waiting at the end of your run!
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength...
I just can't get over it.
Praise God He's so...Complete.
I've got joy again.
It's hard to hang on to it...but I just keep repeating those words over and over and over again. I CAN hope. I have all the tools I NEED to hope. the LORD will renew my strength. Not just sleep, not circumstances, not excitement for things on earth...only God can do it *write* :D
Now, on to the day's post...lol. It's not long, I promise. We done had church, so not much more can be said! lol
Not in a million years did I think I could write so passionately again.
I love it.
However, I've been afraid of my work in progress.
Why?
Becuase it's a scary subject.
One that has been battled for years.
In a nutshell, it's about abortion, and in some smaller light, government.
How do you find the courage to write what hurts?
Note:
Check these out. They're great posts!
http://emergingnotemergency.blogspot.com/
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/06/risky-gift.html
http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/06/courage.html
Brush teeth,
Get kids ready
Work for 10 hours
Get kids home
Softball?
Church?
Bed
Do it again the next day.
But, thank God I'm a Christian, I don't know how the other half of the population survives w/o Christ in their hearts.
I have to confess this:
One morning, I awoke to my dastardly alarm clock. I shut if off, quite forcefully, and went back to bed.
That's not the bad part...that's the mild part.
I HEARD my Savior calling to me. I literally HEARD Him.
What happened?
I was already lost in sleep.
Yeah...ouch.
Can you imagine the special time we could have had?!
But what did He offer when I woke up alert at six, saddened by my mistake?
Joy.
Yes. That Joy Unspeakable.
I love my Savior. If you don't know Him, ask me, but what a JOY!
..."They will soar on wings like eagles"
I was happy to read that.
Despite the energy sapping days I have, I can STILL have joy.
Amazing.
Purely Amazing.
..."but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
As a runner, I GET the not grow weary part, walk and not faint...if you're in Florida, you'd better have a gallon o' wata waiting at the end of your run!
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength...
I just can't get over it.
Praise God He's so...Complete.
I've got joy again.
It's hard to hang on to it...but I just keep repeating those words over and over and over again. I CAN hope. I have all the tools I NEED to hope. the LORD will renew my strength. Not just sleep, not circumstances, not excitement for things on earth...only God can do it *write* :D
Now, on to the day's post...lol. It's not long, I promise. We done had church, so not much more can be said! lol
Not in a million years did I think I could write so passionately again.
I love it.
However, I've been afraid of my work in progress.
Why?
Becuase it's a scary subject.
One that has been battled for years.
In a nutshell, it's about abortion, and in some smaller light, government.
How do you find the courage to write what hurts?
Note:
Check these out. They're great posts!
http://emergingnotemergency.blogspot.com/
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/06/risky-gift.html
http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/06/courage.html
Thursday, May 20, 2010
What's it to ya?
It occured to me the other day, as I was ashamed to raise my hands in a praise song (shallow? I felt as though I was), that I didn't really want to draw attention to myself, and I still feel that way.
Please, if you have another opinion, share it with me! I'm really sad that I can't just raise my hands in praise for fear of drawing attention to myself (I don't feel that way when other people do it, but I feel that way about myself)!
Instead, I bow my head and pray as I'm praising, or make an 'audience of one' for myself instead of showing outwardly what's going on inside. ( I DO NOT feel this way about other people! Just sayin' this is how I feel deep inside)
But then I heard it said today in a lesson by Pete Briscoe that if you worship outwardly, your spirit follows. As I've felt lately, if I worship inwardly, outward worship is a reflection...but I'm thoroughly confused now. lol
But then I thought about the things I do on a daily basis.
I don't curse, I don't smoke, I don't drink.
If I lie, I feel terrible and have to spill about the truth quickly or I'll be eaten up with regret and guilt.
If I see something not right, morally, (i.e. hiding evidence while something's going on in the background with the police and we're assumed innocent) I can't stand it, and WILL walk away...
And then I get the looks and comments of: "Goody two-shoes" and "Holier than thou" attitudes.
WHAT'S IT TO YA!?
Who said I was doing it for you?!
I'm staying morally strong for in my relationship with GOD!
I don't want to feel that guilt, that gut-twisting, heart-palpitating, uncomfortable guilt!
I kinda wanna stay away from it! And I want my relationship with God to stay clean, not rocky.
But why can't I feel as though that's what's going on with my worship? Why can' t I block out the attention I'd be getting, (which I know, if someone lifts up their hands in worhsip, I look and then turn away cause I KNOW it's between them and God! Why I think it's different, I'll never know!)
Am I being shallow? Is this just how I worship? Maybe so. This hurts to say, but am I focusing on 'them' instead of God?
What's your thoughts?
Sorry for the rant, but I'm a little peeved about it right now. No particular reason except that I'm just confued I suppose.
Please, if you have another opinion, share it with me! I'm really sad that I can't just raise my hands in praise for fear of drawing attention to myself (I don't feel that way when other people do it, but I feel that way about myself)!
Instead, I bow my head and pray as I'm praising, or make an 'audience of one' for myself instead of showing outwardly what's going on inside. ( I DO NOT feel this way about other people! Just sayin' this is how I feel deep inside)
But then I heard it said today in a lesson by Pete Briscoe that if you worship outwardly, your spirit follows. As I've felt lately, if I worship inwardly, outward worship is a reflection...but I'm thoroughly confused now. lol
But then I thought about the things I do on a daily basis.
I don't curse, I don't smoke, I don't drink.
If I lie, I feel terrible and have to spill about the truth quickly or I'll be eaten up with regret and guilt.
If I see something not right, morally, (i.e. hiding evidence while something's going on in the background with the police and we're assumed innocent) I can't stand it, and WILL walk away...
And then I get the looks and comments of: "Goody two-shoes" and "Holier than thou" attitudes.
WHAT'S IT TO YA!?
Who said I was doing it for you?!
I'm staying morally strong for in my relationship with GOD!
I don't want to feel that guilt, that gut-twisting, heart-palpitating, uncomfortable guilt!
I kinda wanna stay away from it! And I want my relationship with God to stay clean, not rocky.
But why can't I feel as though that's what's going on with my worship? Why can' t I block out the attention I'd be getting, (which I know, if someone lifts up their hands in worhsip, I look and then turn away cause I KNOW it's between them and God! Why I think it's different, I'll never know!)
Am I being shallow? Is this just how I worship? Maybe so. This hurts to say, but am I focusing on 'them' instead of God?
What's your thoughts?
Sorry for the rant, but I'm a little peeved about it right now. No particular reason except that I'm just confued I suppose.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Can He even hear me?!
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:26
Read that again….
If you’re like me, this verse has been hiding in the Bible for as long as I’ve been able to read! I’ve never seen this verse before, and lately, I’ve read or heard it more than once.
I get the same chill down my spine and pep in my step each time I hear it.
However, the logical side of me wonders what’s coming.
Have you ever just wondered from where the next trial will come? What will it be? Who will it be? Why? When? You’re not alone, that’s for sure.
A friend of mine posed the question: “How do we prepare?”
So how do we?
I think back to when I was a kid, every question like that could be answered with: Pray, and Read your Bible.
That’s it! That’s the right answer again! In his book, Every Day with Jesus; The Full Armor of God, Selwyn Hughes says this:
“As I have been saying, the spiritual application of the helmet of salvation is not so much the enjoyment of our present salvation (though it includes that) as it is the assurance that a sure salvation is coming-and is even now at work”
God does work out our lives according to His purpose! But what if that plan includes us or someone we love suffers from depression, drug addiction, affairs, child loss?
What about then?
Those prayers where all you do is sit in the presence of God and cry? Those utterances of your heart, God hears those.
How?
It’s heard through the Spirit that’s in us. I recall in the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, that he mentioned that God isn’t a God that is sitting back waiting for our sacrifice and a job well done. He’s with us, in us, and hurting with the ones He loves.
Those times when all you can do is take one last step, one last word, even if you can’t get that far, He hears that ache, that groan, that whisper of His name.
I’ve had such confusing times and painful moments in my life (as we all have) and sometimes I could only look up to the dark sky and hold my hands out, or fists, and say ‘why?’…okay, so it was more like…”WHY?!”
I had no idea how to pray, or how to respond!
He heard that. But most important, He heard the uttering in my heart below the confused and angry surface. He heard me. And the best part, just as one best friend to another, there were no words needed.
Get to your Bible. Prepare for that hardship. Draw close to Him. Prepare for that next hurdle. Focus on His Words to us, soak them in and learn from them. Brand them to the fabric of your heart. And next time Satan comes around, throwing darts, you’ve got that hope of Salvation.
You’ve got the hope that God WILL come through in the end. And he’s going to be with you in that circumstance, and He’s going to be fighting with you, and picking you up, even if it’s to hide you away while He continues fighting! There’s no doubt, you’ll be safe. And the best part is you’ll be heard. Because He hears exactly what your mouth can’t say.
Remember Him today, and thank Him for what He’s already done for you. Thank Him for what He’s already worked out, and heard from the ‘bottom of your heart’.
Read that again….
If you’re like me, this verse has been hiding in the Bible for as long as I’ve been able to read! I’ve never seen this verse before, and lately, I’ve read or heard it more than once.
I get the same chill down my spine and pep in my step each time I hear it.
However, the logical side of me wonders what’s coming.
Have you ever just wondered from where the next trial will come? What will it be? Who will it be? Why? When? You’re not alone, that’s for sure.
A friend of mine posed the question: “How do we prepare?”
So how do we?
I think back to when I was a kid, every question like that could be answered with: Pray, and Read your Bible.
That’s it! That’s the right answer again! In his book, Every Day with Jesus; The Full Armor of God, Selwyn Hughes says this:
“As I have been saying, the spiritual application of the helmet of salvation is not so much the enjoyment of our present salvation (though it includes that) as it is the assurance that a sure salvation is coming-and is even now at work”
God does work out our lives according to His purpose! But what if that plan includes us or someone we love suffers from depression, drug addiction, affairs, child loss?
What about then?
Those prayers where all you do is sit in the presence of God and cry? Those utterances of your heart, God hears those.
How?
It’s heard through the Spirit that’s in us. I recall in the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, that he mentioned that God isn’t a God that is sitting back waiting for our sacrifice and a job well done. He’s with us, in us, and hurting with the ones He loves.
Those times when all you can do is take one last step, one last word, even if you can’t get that far, He hears that ache, that groan, that whisper of His name.
I’ve had such confusing times and painful moments in my life (as we all have) and sometimes I could only look up to the dark sky and hold my hands out, or fists, and say ‘why?’…okay, so it was more like…”WHY?!”
I had no idea how to pray, or how to respond!
He heard that. But most important, He heard the uttering in my heart below the confused and angry surface. He heard me. And the best part, just as one best friend to another, there were no words needed.
Get to your Bible. Prepare for that hardship. Draw close to Him. Prepare for that next hurdle. Focus on His Words to us, soak them in and learn from them. Brand them to the fabric of your heart. And next time Satan comes around, throwing darts, you’ve got that hope of Salvation.
You’ve got the hope that God WILL come through in the end. And he’s going to be with you in that circumstance, and He’s going to be fighting with you, and picking you up, even if it’s to hide you away while He continues fighting! There’s no doubt, you’ll be safe. And the best part is you’ll be heard. Because He hears exactly what your mouth can’t say.
Remember Him today, and thank Him for what He’s already done for you. Thank Him for what He’s already worked out, and heard from the ‘bottom of your heart’.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)