Monday, April 18, 2011

You.

We went to church on Palm Sunday and heard the most amazing message. 

In Matthew 14:13, Jesus is mourning the horrific death of his friend, his cousin, John the Baptist (or as my pastor calls him - JTB).  Jesus withdrew by boat to a quiet place.  No doubt spending time with His Father, looking for comfort and peace, as we all have at some point when we're heartbroken.

Well, the crowds saw Jesus and followed Him on foot from the surrounding towns.  They needed healing and when Jesus saw them He had compassion.  He stopped thinking about His broken heart and He gave all He had to heal them. 

The disciples were there, of course, and went to Jesus when it was getting dark.  They told Him that He should send the people away so that they could go to town and buy dinner. 

And Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."

YOU. 

You feed them.

And at that point Jesus turns His ministry to the disciples and gives them the responsibility. 

He is asking them then, as He is asking us now, to be His hands and His feet to the world.

Yes, you.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Drifting Along

I sat with a dear friend at a sidewalk cafĂ© in a beautiful small town in Texas.   

She told me how, over the course of some time, she had drifted away from God.  She grew up in church, she had a season of real relationship with Jesus in adulthood, and she was surrounded by Christian friends.  But it happened. 

I suppose the drifting begins for most of us through a course of distractions.  There is a big test to study for, a car needs repair, an illness that keeps you out of your routine for just long enough.  And then it begins. 

Most of us aren’t running from God; at least not at first.  However, the longer we drift along the further we get from His presence. 

The road back to Him seems long and, to make matters worse, most of us don’t even know where the road begins.  

My friend told me that she would sit with the intent to pray and her mind would go blank.   She didn’t even know how to pray anymore.  So she was left, searching for the entrance to the highway that leads to Him.

Last night I read the most wonderful verse that I wish I could have had in my hand while she and I were sharing our hearts.  (PS – I’m one of those who will think of what would have been the perfect thing to say in a situation.  About 3 weeks after the situation occurred). 

Romans 8:26
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
through wordless groans.

Our God knows that sometimes we don’t even know what or how to pray.  And He has provided His Holy Spirit to pray in our place.

Friends, if you are in that place right now, I urge you just to sit silently.  Hold Romans 8:26 close to your heart and know that God is hearing from you, even if you don’t know what you ought to say.

Give all your heart, your allegiance, and your obedience to the Lord and He will give you all you need to serve Him.  He will provide the grace, mercy, and forgiveness needed to live a righteous, blessing filled life. 

A life so rich with His goodness you’ll be in awe.  And a deep desire to never, ever drift again.

Trust me.