Worship for the Weekday
When Did We See Thee Hungry?
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Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those at his right hand, "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and
give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."
I am fairly certain God has a sense of humor! I hope no one is offended by that statement, but I’m pretty sure it’s true. You see I have spent most of my life (beginning in childhood) trying to live out these verses – very literally. I have talked to people others would consider unapproachable. I have fed homeless men, women and children, in soup kitchens, shelters and in my own church. Our family regularly donates food to a local food bank. And I have literally never met a “stranger.” Just ask my kids! They gave up being embarrassed by my tendency to strike up a conversation with anybody, anywhere. Oh yes, we donate clothes to Good Will, and we’ve even been known to shop at the Good Will Store in search of work jeans, household items and items with potential for use in my various craft projects. Oh . . . we recycle and re-use, we try to take care of the environment . . .
The litany could go on and on . . . And all of this is good stuff. Really, it is all what we consider the minimum requirement – My parents taught me how to live like this. I can remember my Mom working with a program to teach adults to read long before it was “politically correct.” Talk about the least and the last . . . And some of my earliest memories are of my Dad professing human rights over corporate profit, as well as individual responsibility for how our government operates. So I cut my teeth on social justice. A couple of years ago, though, God decided I needed to kick it up a notch.
At a training session I was attending to become a Lay Speaker in the Methodist Church, I met several individuals who worked in prison ministry. Now I don’t know about you, but actually going into a prison had never crossed my mind prior to hearing these conversations over the dinner table. Without fail, every table I chose to sit at for a meal throughout the entire weeken, someone there began talking about their church’s prison ministry or their own involvement in a prison ministry of some kind. I really put it on the “back burner” after the training and got on with my life. But God kept exposing me to individuals who talked about prison ministries on a fairly regular basis! Can you tell where I’m going with this?
Earlier this year I went with a group to one of the men’s maximum security prisons to participate in a worship service led by the pastor who accompanied us. It was the most phenomenal experience. I loved it. I wasn’t afraid at all. I felt as if I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Circumstances did not allow for me to return there, though I would love to. I now have begun the process to be approved as a volunteer at a women’s prison nearby so I can go with a group who leads a Wednesday night Bible study there. I went for the first time this week. And again I felt as if I was exactly where I was meant to be.
The odd thing though . . .
I was ministered to! I realized that the Holy Spirit has been acting in me all this time to take me to a deeper level of understanding of these words – and myself. Each of the 16 women who entered the room hugged me as they came in and introduced themselves, never even having met me! They were so appreciative of my attendance – it was unconditional acceptance and love. And as I looked around that room, and heard about a couple of the stories, and watched them throughout our time together I realized I am those women. I realized God intends to teach me humility. And to take me to a place in my heart and mind where I have never been: to the place where true Christ-like love dwells. Where judgment and prejudice and misconceptions are replaced by God’s grace—not only in their lives, but in mine as well.
Yes, God knows our hearts. I’m not saying that how little or how much I do or you do, or anyone else does, nor how any of us serve is better than another. What I discovered is that it is more important what is in our hearts. Once I obeyed God and entered a prison building, He let me know I had heard correctly. There are lessons inside those walls He wants me to learn. And I can hardly wait to learn them – even if they are painful, even if they make me see things in myself I don’t like, even if it means I have to re-evaluate my whole life.
I long for God to both use me in ministry and to teach me what He needs me to know through this experience.
My prayer today is that you will be open and obedient to God’s calling on your life. And that you will eagerly live out that calling.
Mary
Chosen and Consecrated
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2 Chronicles 7:14-16
14. if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there for ever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
Oh . . . is that all we need to do?! Well . . . no problem! OK, I’m being sarcastic, and that’s probably not a good attitude to have with God. I am just continually blown away by God’s patience and forbearance with mankind. Thousands of years, probably tens of thousands of times, repeating the same instructions and He just keeps at it. He never gives up on us. Isn’t it mind-boggling?
He has chosen and consecrated us as His own. Just thinking about that takes my breath away. He treats us, individually and collectively, as if we are precious, sacred beings. All He asks in return is that we show the reverence and gratitude due one so gracious and good and generous. That’s all. Isn’t it interesting that what is asked is that which is the most difficult with which to comply?
And really, God knows that! He knows it is literally absolutely impossible for us to remain humble, to pray without ceasing, to seek Him at all times, and to turn from sin. He knows it! And yet he loves us too much to ever turn away from us or abandon us. Since Adam and Eve, He has been faithful to us. He so desires a relationship with us, that He offers us Himself, knowing we will never be able to live up to our end of the bargain.
How about me? Do I treat my family and friends with the same generosity and patience? Sadly, no. I try, really I do. But I will never be able to live up to God’s terms. The good news for us, is that at the very moment we realize this truth . . . we have accomplished what God asks: humility. And there’s more good news! Jesus Christ! He fulfilled for us all the terms of the covenant we could never fulfill. He did it not just for one or two of our sins, but for every one—past, present and future. For all time!
Now that is breathtaking to think about! God created us, knowing we would have that one flaw—that we desired to be our own god. Knowing we would never be able to achieve perfection, He made us anyway! Then, at a point far beyond human patience, He sent a Savior to make us perfect. I actually stopped typing and took a moment to thank God. You may want to do the same right now. Go ahead. Make it simple: Thank You Creator God for my life. Thank You for making me in Your image and likeness. Thank You for the Gift of Your Son who made us Perfect, and for the Holy Spirit who helps us know You better.
My prayer today is that you live as if you have been chosen and consecrated. And that you display the same humility and compassion towards others that Jesus modeled for us.
Mary
Lest You Forget
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Deuteronomy 8:11-14
Take heed lest you forget the Lord your God, by not keeping his commandments and his ordinances and his statutes, which I command you this day: lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Don’t forget about God. I guess that’s really how these verses could be summarized. When life is going well, don’t start to believe your own press! When you have enough of everything you need, don’t begin to think it’s because you deserve it. When you’re full and have a nice home and your investments yield a hefty return, and it looks like you’ll be able to take that European vacation next year after all . . . Oh . . . by the way . . . thanks God!
Of course I’m being a bit flippant here. We aren’t generally that defiant and “persnickety.” But isn’t some truth to this? Don’t we tend to focus more on God when we need Him? When we’re sick, or have just lost our job, or a relative has passed away, or a million little things that bother, upset, perhaps even devastate us—that’s when we call out to God. Those are the times we intentionally and deliberately go to Him with our requests, “please, God change my situation.”
Of course its alright to be happy, and satisfied, and financially comfortable and have good self-esteem. That’s not what I’m referring to her. I’m talking about forgetting whose we are; forgetting we are God’s creations. He is the source of our ability, strength, knowledge, wisdom. He is the Alpha and Omega, not only for the world, but for us, too. When we begin taking credit for what we have or what we have accomplished and achieved, we make ourselves gods. And God has declared on more than one occasion that He doesn’t like that! He wants to be THE God in our lives.
These verses tell us one thing more: we must be constantly and continually be in a state of praise. We must be ever aware of God’s divine actions in our lives. If we don’t nurture our relationship with God, like any other relationship, when the going gets rough, the relationship falters. In order to endure through the rough patches in our lives, through the hardships, disappointments and losses, we must have built a strong foundation upon our faith.
Daily devotions, reading the bible, meeting with other Christians, quiet time in reflection are all ways we have at our disposal to seek out God and find Him. He wants a relationship with us. He wants us to enjoy our relationship with Him – not just wait until we need something before we call His name. If we have read about the times He has cared for His creations, we learn to trust that He will care for us. When we hear other talk about their faith and how they were sustained at a difficult time, we begin to feel confident that God will sustain us as well.
Finally, when we have eaten and are full, when our herds and our flocks multiply . . . we are supposed to give to others who are not as fortunate. I don’t know a thing about the religious beliefs of Warren Buffett or of the Gateses. But I think it’s a pretty safe bet they believe in the God of Deuteronomy. And I’m pretty sure they’ve heard and believe the teachings of Jesus Christ.
My prayer today is that you remember the source of every good thing in your life. And that you continue to seek out God, fine tuning and deepening your relationship with Him.
Mary
Walk After the Lord Your God
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Deuteronomy 13:4
You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him, and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and cleave to him.
Warren Buffett has decided to begin giving away his fortune, estimated at about $40 billion. He had apparently originally planned to bequeath the money after his death, but will now begin the process with the first donation to the Bill and Linda Gates Foundation in July of this year. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think it is coincidental that this headline coincides with the e-mailed scripture passage I received this morning!
Now granted, this type of generosity makes headlines! Buffet will actually only make a dent – 85% of his accumulated wealth – in his portfolio. Still . . . I wouldn’t give a way 85% of what I have! Would you? We may think, well, I couldn’t; I have bills to pay, and obligations. And of course that’s true. We are tasked with being responsible stewards. I can’t help but wonder though . . . I could certainly cut down on my grocery bill. And we made a decision to buy a larger house last year. True, 85% of what I have isn’t much – and I honestly struggle with giving the percentage that we give to our church and the money and goods we give to charitable organizations.
I don’t know anything else about Buffett. I don’t know his personality, his past, his ethics, or how he treats his family. But I have enough of an image to talk about him! He’s a big-picture thinker. He’s obviously a man who doesn’t have an attitude of deserving what he has. He sees himself as a citizen of the world. He believes in giving back. I’m pretty sure he follows the basic instructions stated in Deuteronomy.
This verse seems pretty much like a “no-brainer” at first look. Walking with God is tough, though and Adam and Eve blew their chance a long, long, long time ago. Today we have even more temptations and distractions. And our sense of entitlement seems to have evolved in direct proportion to our ability to create and produce and consume more and more. Eden was a wonderful place. Adam and Eve strolled through the garden and chatted with God on a regular basis. They were so in touch and in tune with Him that they simply needed to call out to Him and He was right there – actually he was always there, but they kept forgetting, and so called for Him.
I notice that serving God and cleaving to Him are intertwined in this one sentence: with walking with Him, fearing (as in awe) Him, and keeping His commandments while obeying His voice. It’s all interwoven. It seems as if it would have been so simple to just enjoy paradise! What were Adam and Eve thinking? All of this is prompting me to take a long hard look at my life, and the resources I have available. I’m also reflecting upon how much (or little) I rely upon God to meet my daily needs. Of course I know He’s involved in the big picture! I struggle with giving over the little, mundane things in my life. “Can’t I be in charge of something, God?”
God will allow us the freedom to choose His way or our own. That’s how we all got into this fix in the first place! Fortunately, because of Christ, we’re allowed to change our minds and run back to Him in fear and trembling – like children awaking from a nightmare, we call out to Him at those times, “Don’t ever leave me on my own again!” Really . . . He doesn’t. He’s big enough to let us think we’re in charge though.
My prayer today is that you walk after your God and fear Him. And you listen for His voice in how to serve Him and His world.
Mary
He Laid His Hands Upon Her
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Matthew 26:26-28
26. Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." 27. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; 28. for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 13:10-13
10. Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." 13. And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God.
I never thought I’d live my life looking forward to Thursday so very much. Wednesday is the traditional “hump day” that refers to the fact that after that day, only two more days until the weekend. Friday is the popular, TGIF day of notoriety: the last day of the work week. Time for the weekend! Several months ago a dear friend invited my husband and me to attend a healing prayer conference at All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Richmond sponsored by the Order of St. Luke. It was amazing. It was inspiring. We were motivated and uplifted. It was, in short, life-changing. In March, I left the full-time work force to work part time as I pursue my writing and other ventures, so I am fortunate enough to be able to attend the Thursday morning Healing Service at All Saints Episcopal Church in Richmond.
I know . . . I have historically been one of those skeptics. Not really a skeptic – I just didn’t have much exposure to this type of thing growing up in the Catholic Church. For that matter, most Protestants don’t really have exposure to it either—not beyond the services seen on television where various individuals from the audience are healed by a (perhaps charlatan) preacher – and really, who knows if those are staged or not. Isn’t that what you wonder – or is it just me? Don’t get me wrong! I believed at least 85% that others could/had been healed. It was just never really on my radar as part of my own faith life.
But you know . . . it is real. I’ve experienced it myself! And I’ve listened to others who have experienced it as well. I was not healed of every ache and pain. I didn’t ask to be healed! I just showed up, with a willingness to see what would happen. I didn’t fall on the floor as if struck by a bolt of lightning. It was a small, gradual thing. I have begun to be healed of many of the emotional and spiritual scars that have held me back from growing into the true person I was created to be. As I released my body and my mind and my soul to the power of the healing love of Christ, I was healed in ways I didn’t even know were in need of healing! He was broken so I could be made whole.
Isn’t that amazing? I went to the first service, open yet not convinced. I left that service fully believing! God is so good. He knew I would talk about it. He knew I would write about it. He planned for me to be in that place, in that time so that I could tell you about it right now. I’m so glad God has all this planned out and manages it all so well!
My prayer today is that you offer up your brokenness to the God who heals all hurts. And that you tell someone today how wonderful is the savior who died to give you life.
Mary
The Breath of the Holy Spirit
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John 20:19-22, 30-31
19. On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." 22. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. . .” 30. Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31. but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
For some reason, I have not read John’s telling of this appearance of Christ to his disciples after his resurrection. I especially don’t remember ever reading “he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” As I read those words, I instantly thought of God creating the earth. What power there must have been in that exhaling of Jesus! I wouldn’t be surprised if a shiver ran up the spine of each recipient. In fact I’m getting goose bumps just writing about it and thinking about it! “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Wow!
These men and women had the honor and privilege of walking with The Christ. And then they literally received the Holy Spirit from Him. Not in His presence – from Him. Of course, by the time Christ appeared to them, they were certainly at the depths of despair. The devastating events of the previous days were surely more than they could comprehend. They needed the Holy Spirit. They needed a new start. They needed to inhale the sweetness of God’s love in order to come out from behind those locked doors and go out into the world.
In Luke 22:43-44 we read about Jesus at the Mount of Olives (some gospels say Gethsemane) awaiting his arrest, “An angel from heaven appeared to him [Christ] and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” This is the kind of encouragement and strengthening the disciples needed! And Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into their midst. And we have that kind of encouragement as well. Not only do we have the incredible gift of God’s mercy and love, and the unspeakable prize of grace, we also have a helper, encourager, comforter, sustainer to help us on our walk.
Still . . . to have inhaled the breath of Christ . . . The closest we are able to come to that experience now is to experience the smell of freshly mowed grass, and catch a scent of honeysuckle, to see a sunrise and to sit ocean side and taste the saltiness of the air. And to touch the cheek of a newborn baby, to look into the eyes of a loved one and see your perfect self reflected back. The Holy Spirit is alive and well and living within each of us! We only need to remind ourselves of that truth. That’s how we make it through the struggles and challenges in our lives. We reach deep down and pull up that part of us that is from God – our soul, some would say.
God breathed the world into existence. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into existence. The Holy Spirit sustains us when we are at our weakest, at our darkest, at our most discouraged and breathes into us the breath of God. We are each God’s creations and He cares enough about us to send us The Spirit to intercede for us when we cannot even tell God what our need is.
My prayer today is that you breathe in the wonders of the world God imagined and created just for you. And that you breathe out for others the breath of the Holy Spirit.
Mary
Believe in Christ
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Isaiah 29:18,29,24 KJV
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Phillipians 1:29a KJV
Unto you it is given to believe in Christ.
Again, scripture is more profound, more concise, more . . . well, more everything than I could ever hope to be. Unto you it is give to believe in Christ. That’s it. That’s what it’s all about. Believe in Christ. That’s when the deaf will hear the words of the book. The eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and darkness. In other words, when we believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior, everything makes sense. We feel everything will be OK. We no longer murmur our prayers in secret, rather we shout for joy to all the world! Well, that last part may be a bit over the top.
When Christ comes again, everything will be perfect. Perfectly planned, designed, intended, ordered and arranged – that’s how the world will be. Until then, we strive to be prepared for that day. We learn scripture so we can be prepared to counter the arguments offered by the world – just as Jesus was able to defeat Satan’s whiles three times by relying not upon His divinity, rather his knowledge and understanding of scripture when he fasted in the desert for 40 days.
I read an article yesterday on line about “The Church of Oprah.” I have known for a long time that she had a following that had become quite cult-like. Women in particular flock to her because they she offers them encouragement, hope, empowerment, and acceptance. She has been elevated to the status of deity in modern culture. Am I the only one disturbed by that? Surveys have indicated that people act upon Oprah’s guidance/advice more readily than that of their clergypersons!
OK. That does indicate a problem with many institutional churches today. But not with Christ. What is the deal? Have any of these folks read the New Testament? Don’t they know that what Jesus offers them is based upon an eternal truth? Don’t they know that they are already loved and valued and that God cares about them so much He sacrificed Himself/ His Son to grant eternal life to all of us? I know. I understand. I have idols in my own life that compete with Jesus on a daily, if not hourly basis.
Oprah is very spiritual. She is a kind and generous person. She openly and willingly shares her journey with millions of people. I’m not “against” Oprah or anything she is doing. Where I begin to take issue is when she becomes the moral authority and compass for our lives. She and Dr. Phil and others who have a voice and who have power and money to broadcast that voice and exercise that power. What are their inner demons that they struggle with -- the real ones? Why are they compelled to believe their own press? Do they believe it? Or are they just along for the ride? Wouldn't that do the most harm of all when they fall from public's grace? Do these turn to Jesus? Do they direct others to do so? Do I?
My prayer today is that you cut off Oprah and Dr. Phil and spend that time in the true and real Word. And that you preach Jesus by how you live your life – no words should be necessary.
Mary
Wait
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Psa 25:5, 21
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for thee.
Psa 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!
Psa 31:24
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
I’m at a point where I’m looking around and wondering, “Now what do I do?” It’s an odd place to be. My son just graduated from high school. I’m officially the mother of “adult children.” Graduation and family coming in and multiple family activities precluded my posting devotions last week. This weekend we worked to get things back on track. I inherited the “family computer” and put up border paper and generally began to get my study in order to actually be a study again! Over the winter this space had become the “holding area” as we decorated, painted and (sort of) organized the house.
About a year ago I had indicated to folks that I would re-evaluate my life after the graduation. Now it’s here. And I haven’t finished evaluating! Of course, there is no set timetable for this process. It’s an on-going one and I don’t want to rush into anything. That in and of itself is a change for me! In this last year I have spent a great deal of time waiting. I don’t like to wait. I don’t like to have unknowns in my life. I want a plan, and then I want to work the plan. The only problem with that is that sometimes my plans and God’s plans don’t match.
If I’m not open and still and patient, I might miss what God intends for me at any given time. I may grow weary of waiting and charge ahead with man’s plans. I may jump into an activity because I’ve been waiting to have time. I may sign up for something I’ve been waiting to do. If I do that I may miss out on the chance to do something God has in mind for me! That’s where I am finding I need to be strong. Wait for the Lord. Oh . . . I don’t like waiting. A couple of years ago a dear friend shared with me that Psalm 31:24 was a verse that she felt very strongly applied to me and that I might want to pray about it and recite it often.
Since that time I have needed to be courageous in a several situations. And I felt so blessed to have had this verse precede those situations! Lately, I’ve focused on the waiting. God had turned those situations into a source of strength and knowledge and understanding. Though I was impatient, He kept true to His own timetable, weaving lessons into my petulance and unease. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. God is in the waiting. Now my challenge is to wait, pray and wait some more as He unfolds before me His plan for the next chapters of my life.
My prayer today is that you slow down, take a breath and wait for the Lord. And that your heart takes courage as you wait for His direction.
Mary
Neither Slumber Nor Sleep
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Psalms 121:1-8
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved, he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore.
I’m not sure how many times I’ve read these verses, or how many times I have used them in a posting. I think these are some of the most beautiful words ever written. They’re not extremely poetic, yet they have a lilting flow. They aren’t very dramatic, yet there is a crescendo as the verses progress. The references to God not slumbering nor sleeping have a great deal of meaning to me. When my children were babies and would awaken in the night, I remember sitting in the rocking chair, holding them, looking at their faces, examining their fingers, and singing lullabies to them. All too often, I would fall asleep – soundly asleep still in the rocking chair, baby clutched tightly to me. Each time I awoke with a start, certain I had dropped a baby on the head yet I never did!
That is only one example of the ways God helped me as a parent. And in every other experience and undertaking throughout my life, I have no doubt God was standing by, on duty, watching, ready. I have often tried to grasp God’s love for me – for any of us. It is, of course, impossible. But I think the closest I have ever come to understanding it is on those nights I spent in the rocking chair, caressing my babies’ brow, noticing their eyelashes flutter as they began to dream. Those were sacred moments. For some those moments occur when they have spent the day hiking, and come to a clearing along a river. Or perhaps a mountain peak, overlooking a valley speaks of God’s majesty and love. Because of God, and his love and care for us, every moment of our lives becomes sacred. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. He knows every aspect of our inner being.
I find myself in complete awe of it all! It’s not a new concept to me. It’s not a new thought or theory. It’s not even a different slant on the same story. It is the story. The one God wrote in eternity. God loves us. That is all we need to know. That is all that matters. God love me. And God loves you. And as you live your life, your days and nights, weeks and months, years and even decades will rush past you in a whir. And God will be in it all – never slumbering nor sleeping. He will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. He will keep your going out and your coming in. He always has. He always will. Sometimes, though the story is as old as time itself, I feel as though I’ve heard it for the first time. And I like it even more.
My prayer today is that you take a moment to realize how very much God loves you. And that you will be confident that he never slumbers nor sleeps throughout your entire life.
Mary
Statistical Analysis
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Isaiah 40:12-18
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as his counselor has instructed him? Whom did he consult for his enlightenment, and who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the isles like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?
The area of Earth: 510,072,000 sq km, or 196,939,900 sq miles*
The diameter of Earth: 12,756 kilometers *
Age of Earth: 4.55 billion years (plus or minus about 1%)*
*Source: ask.com
These facts tell me several things. First of all God is really, really old! Since He made the Earth, He has to be older than 4.55 billion years. I’m 49 years old. I can’t even calculate how small a fraction of time that is relative to the age of Earth, let alone to God’s age. So you’re probably thinking I’ve really gone off on a tangent this morning! How does any of this relate to God? What does any of this have to do with my life?
Well . . . I often find myself overwhelmed with life! Not because of terrible, bad things that happen, just life itself. Just living every day can be tremendously challenging, stressful, and can test our faith sometimes. In my case, I’m almost 50 years old. My youngest child will graduate from high school in a week. I spent an hour on line, and then on the phone with my daughter last night as we begin to plan her wedding next year. And in a few days my husband and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary! These are some major milestones! And yes, I am joyous! I am, ecstatic, grateful, thankful, overjoyed. And I feel very, very small.
This morning when I read these verses, I took a deep cleansing breath. Isaiah had no idea how big Earth was when he wrote this psalm. For me, knowing these facts, nothing changes. Huge. That’s all Isaiah knew, and that’s all I need to know. Unfathomable. Think about it. God breathed our 196,939,900 sq. mile planet into existence at least 4.55 billion years ago! He spoke. And it existed. Before: nothingness, a void, a vacuum. He breathed: water, land, vegetation, animals, primordial man. You may be thinking, “Wow! Now I feel really small!” And that may not seem a comfort to you. To me, though, I am glad to be in the hands of one so mighty!
And in all of this, He bothered to make me. And He sent His Son to save me from my sins. That kind of love is unimaginable! The area of Earth – that I can calculate. God’s love? Incalculable!
My prayer today is that you realize your tiny existence and your greatness through God. And that you remember God cared enough about you to send Jesus.
Mary
No Really, Who is it About?
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Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Believing these verses to be true, how is it possible that we ever have a “bad day?” Really, just think about it for a minute. If we truly believe that nothing can cause God to stop loving us, why do we so often make it all about our little lives, and our little troubles? This is a rhetorical question, of course, and I am really having this conversation with myself. But you’re welcome to eavesdrop!
So where is my joy? Where is my thankfulness? Where is my focus? I’ve shared with you that I’ve read Rick Warren’s
The Purpose Driven Life several times. And the first sentence in the book is: “It’s not about you.” I know this. I believe it. I accept it. And I continually forget it. For heaven sakes, Jesus died on the Cross for me! What am I whining about?! That is all the proof we need that God loves us beyond trivial inconveniences in our day, problems at our jobs, disputes with family members, and even illness and injury. I say that with much bravado, as I have never experienced a life-threatening disease.
I would hope if that ever happens, and I start to make it about me, someone will read these verses to me as a reminder of whose I am. God is my physician and caretaker. That’s enough. Heaven awaits. Scary yet exciting. Nothing can separate us from the love of God! Nothing! Do not worry about your life – Jesus said that too. And he’s right. First of all it does no good to worry about things. Second, Jesus has assured us our future is in good hands. Finally, it’s not about me! It’s about God!
Sometimes when I don’t know what to pray, I simply repeat over and over, “only You, Lord, only You.” What a difference there would be in my life if I repeated that all day long, every day as a reminder of who it really is about. Only Jesus. Only Jesus.
My prayer today is that you remember whose you are. And that you remember who it is really all about.
Mary
A Cool Cup of Water
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Isaiah 42:1-4
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
My walking buddy and I have really gotten back on track – we’re planning to walk every Monday through Friday this summer. We’ve had a very full and introspective week of walks thus far. Social justice has been one of our topics of conversation, as has our own involvement in the lives of those around us. We both seem to embrace the big picture issues and feel somewhat inadequate to solve all the world problems – like world peace and an end to hunger in the world – and our lacking in providing a solution to either. Yes, we think big, dream big, live big! What I discovered (I won’t say “we” as I don’t want to speak for my buddy) is that I forget/fail to focus on the areas of need in my own little piece of the world.
Social justice isn’t just about a country half way around the world, or even downtown where the poor are so underserved. It’s about not making assumptions about people, and taking the time to hear their story, and intentionally reaching out to them. That’s a lot tougher. It requires our actually taking action, subjugating ourselves, and taking a risk. In order to live up to these verses from Isaiah, we must stoop to wash the feet of those in our world. We enter each conversation with the intent of hearing the other, not as an opportunity to talk about ourselves (that’s a real growth area for me!)
I think of Mother Theresa when I read these verses. She quietly, deliberately went about doing the work she was called to do. She didn’t want or expect any thanks, any admiration, any praise from anyone in this world. I have a feeling she didn’t think what she was doing was so remarkable – but rather what one does when called. Humility is not a quality most of us possess. At the healing prayer conference I attended a couple of months ago one of the speakers identified for us how we view and interact with others when we have an attitude like the one Isaiah describes. “You first. Have a cup of water.” It’s really that simple. Put others before ourselves, and meet their needs, if possible.
We can only bring forth justice to the nations one person at a time. It’s not something we can accomplish with armies or laws or by force. It must be done quietly, with humility, one person at a time. That takes work. It takes effort. It takes action. But we are not left to our own resources in this act. The Spirit is upon us.
My prayer today is that you work to bring about justice in the world one person at a time. And that you offer a cool cup of water to everyone you meet.
Mary
