Shared Emotions

Happy Easter, my friends! I pray this finds you healthy and well and rejoicing in the risen King. No greater gift has ever been given and no greater victory has ever been had!

Throughout this week, while reading the story of Jesus during his final earthly days, I found myself identifying more this year than ever before with the emotions the disciples must have been feeling. I don’t know about you, but emotions have been really abundant for me lately, and I’ve ridden the roller coaster from “We got this!” to “This is horrible!” more than once. Sometimes more than once a day. After reading the Easter story this year again and comparing their experiences to the strange circumstances in which we find ourselves, I truly believe that the disciples were no strangers to this emotional roller coaster.

Over the past few weeks, I have felt all of these at one time or another (or all at once), and I believe the disciples felt them, too. I’m betting that you, too, might recognize a few of these shared emotions yourself.

Disappointment–Can you imagine being full of expectations, excitedly planning a big event or championing a cause you felt very passionate about, only to have it erased from the calendar because of something outside your control? The disciples can, and I bet if you know a kid planning a spring birthday party or looking forward to the end-of-the-year celebrations at a school, a senior planning prom and graduation celebrations, or a person expecting to celebrate an upcoming birthday at a favorite restaurant, you can too. So many of us have experienced great disappointment during this quarantine. I’ve talked to parents of kids who were planning exciting things that have been stolen away, and my heart breaks for them. If we were to ask Peter or Mary or John how they felt when, suddenly, death stole from them their expectations and plans, they’d most certainly list disappointment (to the point of heartbreak) among the emotions they experienced.

Confusion–Please raise your hand if at any point since the middle of March (which was seventeen years ago by my calculations) you’ve thought, What in the whole wide world is happening? You know the disciples had to have been so confused, too. No way some of them weren’t asking the exact same question. How many of us have wondered, Where did you go, Jesus? What are You doing? How are death and confusion part of Your plan? The disciples might not have been confused about how to get toilet paper and hand soap, but unanswered questions and jumbled, unsettled minds are something we no doubt share.

Fear–I think of all the emotions, this one I’ve had to battle the most. I have found many things to be afraid of during this pandemic (anyone else hate this word?), and it’s taken A LOT of mental energy some days to shut it down. I bet the disciples get this, too. In fact, I know they did because I read Luke. Sometimes Jesus’s friends were terrified by what they saw outside His tomb. Other times, they felt afraid for their own safety, their own well-being. Same, disciple friends. Same. What happens next feels very up in the air right now, and after the death of Jesus, I’d guess it did for them, too.

Sadness— No one can argue the disciples’ love for Jesus. Sure they weren’t perfect, but love isn’t borne through perfection. Their hearts were good, and their hearts were full for Jesus Christ. And then He died and seemed to leave them alone and brokenhearted. No doubt they were sad because they felt the rug had been ripped right out from underneath them. Surely they also felt saddened by the betrayal of Judas, because even though Jesus paid the price, Judas betrayed his brothers in Christ as well. Through all of this, I, too, have felt such sadness. Sadness over those who are sick or who have lost loved ones. Sadness over those in assisted living facilities and nursing homes whose visits from family and friends have been cut off. Sadness over the kids trapped at home, kids for whom school was an escape and a few hours of safety. Sadness over families who can’t feed their kids without the help of free school lunches. Sadness because we can’t worship at our church or hang out with our family. Sadness because there’s just a lot of darkness right now. And can you imagine a darker time than the day Jesus died and remained entombed? So. Much. Sadness.

Inadequacy–I won’t ask for a show of hands, but how many of you have been gripped by feelings of inadequacy while trying to homeschool your kids and work from home and feed everybody and make sure you are on time for every Zoom meeting and do laundry and feed everybody and feed everybody and feed everybody? Y’all, the disciples felt this too. Even though they jawed back and forth about which of them was the greatest and trash-talked each other, there was ZERO question that Jesus was the leader among them. He was the decision-maker, the guide, the glue. And then one day, He was no longer there. The disciples had no resources. I mean, hello! They weren’t sons of God like Jesus was. What exactly where they supposed to do now?! For crying out loud, you’re not a teacher! What are you supposed to do now?! Yep, this, too, was an emotion we have in common with the disciples.

But as you know, as every meme has reminded us these last two days, Sunday was coming. Victory was about to show up and show out in a MIGHTY way, and the emotions those disciples were about to experience were far from those listed above. Now, friends, we’re not quite there yet. We are still in the midst of that time of waiting, where the darkness and the loneliness and the sadness and fear still fill our hearts. But we can hold strong to what happens next in Luke because it shows us exactly which emotions we are about to have in common with the disciples, and boy, do these sound WAY better!

Hopefulness–Rejoice, friends, because we already know what the disciples were just learning: Jesus won! Jesus always wins! Those guys (and gals) had to learn as they went, but we have seen the way that story ends. We don’t have to wait to see how this virus mess ends to have hope. Today more than any day we can declare loudly and fiercely: HOPE IS ALIVE AND HIS NAME IS JESUS! We might have to wait a little longer, we might have to work harder at pushing out the lies fear whispers about our current circumstances, but we have full hope because of Jesus Christ. I think it’s beautiful to imagine what it must have felt like for those disciples to go from being so dejected and achy to being swollen full of hope and restoration.

LOVE–“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). You are Jesus’s friend. It was for you that He gave His life. To be totally honest, those disciples were a bit of train wreck sometimes…both collectively and individually. Aren’t we all? There are times when I’ll try my very, very best and still blow it. And when I do, God says, “I love you. It’s okay.”

I simply cannot imagine what it must have been like to witness the sacrifice Jesus made, to have heard His cries as those nails were being pounded into his actual body. My stomach knots just typing that. I would never want to personally witness that horror. But I love to imagine what it must have felt like for Jesus’s disciples to come to the recognition that THEY were why He did it. “But God demonstrates His own for love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God hasn’t once taken His eyes from us during this scary, unprecedented time. He’s not forgotten what He promised, and He’s not walked away. Yes, we may be suffering disappointments of varying degrees. And we may be fearful and struggling to feel adequate in the midst of a brand-new (not our choice!) normal. But just like when God was hard at work on the behalf of the disciples even though they couldn’t see it, He’s hard at work on our behalf, ON YOUR BEHALF, too. You, friend, are in the palm of His hand. Choose hope. See His love. Know that abundant goodness is yours for the taking through a personal relationship with Him. God hadn’t disappeared when Jesus was lying dead in that tomb; He was preparing. I am convinced, y’all, that this is exactly what’s happening now, too. I love you all tremendously, and I wish you the happiest of Easters. If it gets dark today, or in the coming days, just do what my BFF Lauren Daigle says to do and look up, child. Please pray with me.

Dear Lord, thank You for Easter. Thank You that when things looked bleak and dark and hopeless, You were preparing SALVATION for me. I trust You, Lord, and I know that You haven’t deserted me. I know that I can seek You and You will comfort me. I admit, Father, I frequently visit those more negative emotions, especially lately. I don’t want to listen to the lies fear whispers, so I ask You, Lord, to please give me Your peace, Your comfort, and the hope that can only be found in being Your child. I KNOW good things are coming because You are a good God. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for His resurrection. Thank You for loving me and saving me well before I got myself together. You are worthy of every and all praise, Lord. I love you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

 

Jesus, Not Germs

Well, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, with emphasis this time: America is drunk. What have you people done to this place?? Last week we were all going about our business and going to work and school and buying groceries (albeit too much toilet paper for some of you–you know who you are), and now look at us! You jokers need to get it together and get this train back on the tracks. Pronto.

In the meantime, like most of you, I also want to use this time to reflect and learn as much as I can, like the mature adult I often pretend to be. So today, I’d like to start off by sharing with you a few lessons I’ve learned (and am learning) during this Coronavirus situation.

*Far too many people think they are experts.

*God is fully in control. We, on the other hand, have zero control. Despite my Type A personality needing a straight-jacket over this, it is as it should be.

*I use too many squares of toilet paper at a time.

*Some really wonderful people work at Walmart!

*I rely too much on regular everyday securities instead of God.

*Healthcare workers are saints! Although I’ve known this for years, it’s been reinforced to an infinite degree: I could NEVER be one.

*Toddlers are WAY better at sharing than adults who think they *might* run out of paper products.

*God is fully in control.

*I’m a stress-cleaner. While that’s not new news, I have learned that if you’re planning to stress-clean your way through a lengthy quarantine, 1400 square feet ain’t gonna cut it.

*Social media is keeping me going.

*Social media is killing me.

*God is fully in control.

*My regular life is eerily similar to being in quarantine. (Will be giving this some more thought at a later date)

*Occasionally one of my neighbors comes out on her back step to feed and water her dog(s)…wearing only a bra and shorts.

*I make a lot of little trips to the grocery store during the week.

*God is fully in control.

*Dogs around here do not get walked unless their owners are on lockdown and looking for excuses to take a break while working from home.

*Sitting around the house all day makes me “hungry”

*I am thankful I don’t own a small business. Or a big business. Or am in any way in a position of leadership that requires big decision-making during this unprecedented craziness.

*This new normal means that I know, at any given time, exactly how many rolls of toilet paper are in this house.

*When God slows us all down and removes our distractions, we are actually kind to each other and pay attention to each other’s needs. We will actually see AND help out a neighbor in need when we’re not rushing around all day, focused solely on ourselves, our kids, and our schedules.

*People are hilarious. These Coronavirus memes are STELLAR.

*And last but not least, GOD IS FULLY IN CONTROL.

Friends, I sure do not have the answers. (I am NOT one of those people who starts their posts, “I’m no expert, but…”) I waiver between feeling confident and secure in knowing God’s in charge and stressed/anxious/worried about all the what-ifs. This morning I was talking to a friend with two special-needs sons at home who don’t quite understand what’s going on, and we were talking about how overwhelming it is to think about these next few weeks. I can tell that the more I think about anything past today, the more I stress and lose sight of what I do know. I want to make sure that I focus on Jesus, not germs. I want to let Him be my Provider, my Protector. I want to give Him the reigns and do as He instructs in His Word by focusing only on today. This is FAR easier said than done for me, but with practice, I can get there. And if through all of this, I come out on the other side way stronger and better able to let God be God, what a glorious time this will have been.

I am praying for you all, and I hope you’re spending intentional, personal time with God during this upheaval. Don’t haphazardly toss out wishes; instead, go to the feet of Jesus and lay every single one of your concerns at His feet. He’s already been victorious over anything and everything that might ensnare us. He’s just waiting on us to get that through our thick skulls, as our Southern mamas used to say. Thank you for reading, and after taking a quick second to pray the following prayer with me, please don’t miss the (very short) note after it. Love you all!!!

Dear Lord, thank You that You are solidly, constantly in control. I pray, Father, boldly and confidently, that You knock out this virus just as quickly as it showed up. I declare Your sovereignty, Lord, and I recognize that You don’t need my help in meeting my family’s needs. Take control, Lord, and help me not to repeatedly attempt to take it back from You. While I wait on You to restore work and school and social interaction, God, help me to learn whatever it is You’d have me learn. Search me, Father, and point out what I can work on while life is a little more quiet. I love You, Lord, and I am so VERY grateful to be Your child, especially in a time such as this. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus that I pray this prayer. Amen.

*Reader note: If you’re not already following the blog on Facebook, please feel free to check it out. The page is The Samaritan Woman, and I’m posting some of the great devotionals (they’re quick to read, I promise!) God’s putting before me during this time. I pray it can be a place of encouragement and faith during this dark time. Please, also, feel free to email me with prayer requests: lindseydt@gmail.com. I’d be honored to pray over you guys. Big hugs!

Seek God

Good afternoon, friends, and Happy New Year! I pray that this post finds you all still stuffed from all you ate at Christmas and looking optimistically into the things God will bring your way in 2020.

This time last year I wrote a post that discussed the importance of focusing on the spiritual aspects of our lives as we make resolutions and attempt changing our lifestyles, and today, I want to reiterate that somewhat. I think going into this next year with new goals and plans is a FABULOUS way to do life. I mean, if you can’t dream about your future you’ve got big problems! But I think it’s foolish to walk forward without giving thought to how things went for us last year, how we did with those areas most important to our lives as children of God, and how we plan to do better this coming year in those same important areas.

Now, before I begin getting into the scriptural meat of all of this, I want to make sure my tone/intention is clear. While it might sound a little bit like it, I’m not opposed to those resolutions or goals or plans that include the fun, trendy ideas like veganism, Keto dieting, and yoga with goats (this last one is pretty much how I envision Heaven). But, if you are doing these things without inviting God to be a part of it, that’s where I see a problem. No one cares if you’re vegan if your soul shrivels.  You know what I’m saying? You can Keto diet until you’re so tiny strong winds are a fierce threat to your welfare, but what good is that skinnier thigh if your heart is hard and Jesus is a distant acquaintance? (Somebody better say AMEN right here)

Here today, at the start of this blank slate, this fresh year where we have so many new blessings and opportunities heading our way, I want us to meet together and remind ourselves where our focus should truly be. I want to ask you a couple of questions, friends, and please know I do so gently and without judgment. Please take a minute and answer these for yourself as honestly as possible.

With regard to 2019:

1. How much time on a daily, or even weekly, basis did you spend in personal Bible reading? (Sermons at church don’t count–those aren’t personal reading times.)
2. How often did you turn immediately to scripture when you felt upset, troubled, or stressed?
3. How often did you air your worries/concerns/upsets/grievances on social media but not in prayer Jesus?
4. How often did you talk to others about Jesus? How many people did you witness to in 2019?
5. When you do talk about Jesus to someone, how do you feel internally? Is it easy and comfortable, or do rivers form in your armpits?
6. Which scriptures did you commit to memory this past year?
7. What biblical principles can you say you definitely have worked on during the trials and tribulations of this past year?
8. On a scale of 1-10, with ten being “BFFs,” where do you and Jesus rank?
9. What character traits of God’s have you seen most throughout the challenges you faced this past year?
10. And finally, if those closest to you were asked about your spiritual growth, would they be able to provide evidence of an increase?

Y’all, this list of questions, when I answer them with complete honesty, humbles me tremendously. It’s not that any of us are bad at being representatives of God, but spiritual maturity is such a “two steps forward and three steps back” process that we’d be remiss to move forward into another year worrying about things like weight loss and budgets when our spiritual selves are what they are. {Side note: if you get your spiritual self strengthened and nourished, those others areas of your life that are out of control (finances, diet/health, emotions, marriage, etc.) are WAY more likely to work themselves out with the help of the Holy Spirit. A distant heart mutes the Holy Spirit, so we’ve gotta get that part sorted out first.}

So now maybe you’re tracking with me, you understand the point I’m making about what areas of our lives our goals and resolutions should address foremostly (that is not a word, but I feel like that’s a grave error on the part of humankind so that joker is staying), but although you get what I’m saying, you’re just not sure how to improve spiritually. You’ve resolved to read your Bible more in the past and it’s never happened. You’ve resolved to pray more, but that’s never materialized either. You’ve made lists and bought apps and set earlier alarms and borrowed everybody else’s plans, and you’re still the same ole you; you still don’t read your Bible much, you harbor guilt over your prayer life, and sleeping in is ALWAYS preferable. Well good news, friend–I have a solution for you! And, it’s an easy one that involves only two words: SEEK GOD.

Yep, that’s it. Seek God. In thinking about New Year’s and its resolutions and everyone’s need to set goals and decide what in their lives should be changed or altered or eliminated or added, I suddenly wondered, How many times are these plans being made because we first sought God and asked HIM what we should alter or change or eliminate? Being totally honest, I bet it’s not very many. That’s my encouragement for this year: before you make decisions about your life, before you set goals or rearrange your budget or alter your diet, seek God. Maybe those areas are exactly the ones that need the most work, but maybe God sees things you don’t and feels your time, efforts, money, and mental energies would be better spent in other areas with greater impact for His kingdom. Yes, being healthy is definitely of utmost importance. There’s no arguing that, especially in today’s culture. But what if you invited God into those dietary decisions you’re making? What you if asked Him to show you what changes you needed to make and asked Him for His help in becoming a healthier you? I’m guessing that since He made you, since He is fully aware of every molecule in your body, He’s a pretty good resource for guidance in that area.

One verse that I’ve spent a great deal of time with this year is Proverbs 3:5-7. I used it recently in a post, but it definitely applies here as well. It says, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes…” HE will direct your path. HE will make straight your path so you’re not tricked or deceived or led astray. HE will make your path clear and plain to see, not convoluted and foggy. We cannot do those things, friends. We don’t know what God knows (His ways are higher than our ways). We cannot see what He can. Isn’t it best to let Him be in charge?

Seek God. “Seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you” (Matthew 6:33, emphasis mine). Y’all, there is no time of the year, no aspect of our lives when we shouldn’t wait to move until we hear directly from God. There’s no aspect, no matter how minute, that we shouldn’t lay bare before Him and ask Him to guide and bless. Can you imagine what your 2020 would look like if you truly chose to seek God before anything else, including Him in all areas? His blessings are great; His favor immeasurable. He is always faithful; He cannot go back on His Word; His ways are always good. In Jeremiah 29, God tells us exactly what He has up His sleeve if we’ll only partner with Him in the coming year, letting go of our own plans and ways: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’–this is the Lord’s declaration–‘plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'” (verses 11-13, HCSB) Instead of seeking those things that we’ve not consulted God about, instead of seeking those earthly goals or devising our own “wise” plans, how about we all decide that this year, in 2020, we’re simply going to seek God and let Him direct our steps (Prov. 16:9). Are you with me, friends?

Dear Father, thank You for letting me see another day and another year. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for the many, many blessings in 2019. I ask, Lord, that You pour out Your love, favor, and grace over my 2020. May You bless my family, my friends, and all of Your children, God. As I begin 2020, I desire to seek You, Father, above all things. Help me to push aside the things of this world that crowd my mind for attention. Help me to seek Your input, Your guidance, Your voice, and Your will above all other things. Lord, I don’t want to participate in or waste energy on a single goal or plan or resolution that’s not been okayed first by You. I ask that You please make clear to me those areas in my life that YOU choose to have me work on. Grant me clarity and discernment, Father, so that I am able to line my heart and my life right up with Yours. I thank You that, because of You, my future is hopeful and full of promise and blessing. I look forward to a deeper, more substantial relationship with You in this next year. I pray that when 2021 arrives, my spiritual progress, though it is slow, is recognizable to anyone and everyone who knows me. It’s in Jesus’s mighty and holy name I move and pray. Amen.

Worship and Wait

Y’all know that feeling when life is going along just fine, everybody in your household is doing well, then suddenly one thing happens, creating a snowball effect, and before you know it it feels like someone’s pulled the rug out from under you? Well, welcome to the Thomas household lately. As with most seasons like this, we’re not facing anything life-threatening or catastrophic, but lately it just seems like it’s been one thing after another. Our routine has been disrupted (this Queen Of All Type A’s right here is NOT handling that so well) and our usual daily flow–and the peace it brings–has been disrupted right along with it. For me, when this happens, I feel like my insides begin to match my outsides: my thoughts are all over the place, my blood pressure is high, my ability to settle down internally has flown the coop. Often during times like this, I find myself crying out to God over and over, begging Him for deliverance from whatever issue I feel is most contributory. I ask Him repeatedly, God, what do You want me to do?! How can I fix this (or stop this or help my child)? And while I believe each difficult season of life bring its own lessons, in this current one, I’ve heard God whisper (VERY quietly), “Worship and wait.”

Friends, what a concept (and a terribly difficult one!) this is. When our lives seem crazy and hectic and it feels like everything is out of our control, what does God want us to do? Wait?! I’m sorry, but the mother in me, the Type A personality in me, the “fixer” in me is not thrilled with this response. Pardon me, Lord, all due respect, but You cannot be serious. I mean, internally it feels like I’m running around with my head on fire, and Your almighty response is to tell me to settle myself down and not do anything? Um, clearly there’s been a misunderstanding, so I’m going to pray that “Lord, please tell me what to do to fix this!!!!” prayer again…you know, see what I get this time.

Me: So once more, Lord, what do I do here? How do I make this stop?! I need answers right this very instant! (foot stomp)

God: Worship and wait. Focus on Me and let Me handle your life. I’ll give you what you need, I’ll share My wisdom and My methods for solving your problems–those small actions you can take on your end–as I see fit, but in the meantime, wait on Me. It’s where the greatest blessings are found.

You ’90’s children remember Alanis Morrisette and her album called Jagged Little Pill? Yeah well, that’s what this instruction was to my all-in-a-tizzy self, a VERY jagged little pill to swallow. However, I know that the Bible tells us that our obedience shows our faith, and it’s when we first step out in faith, BEFORE anything in our situation changes, that starts the ball rolling for God to work in our lives. So, I’ve been giving this a shot. Disclaimer: I’m failing (sometimes miserably) at it, but even though I’m taking one step forward and three (four?) steps back, I’m learning. Despite what Satan is telling me, I know that God isn’t expecting perfected faith from me; He is pleased that my goal is obedience to Him. He is blessed by my decision to believe His Word and to choose to shut down those negative thoughts even when it takes all the mental and emotional strength I’ve got some days. We don’t have to get it all just right, friends. We just have to decide in our hearts that Jesus gets more weight than our emotions, and we’ve just got to push through and work those faith muscles, if you will, until we find ourselves facing these rug-out-from-under-us seasons with less mental and emotional chaos.

As with anything, our strength to handle these trials in life comes from God, and more often than not, He provides clarity and peace, joy and contentment through His Word. It always astounds me how He speaks to me so intentionally through my daily devotion or even through the devotional we read with our daughter at night. If you seek God, friend, and you turn to His Word for your help, God will never not show up. Never. It’s impossible for Him to abandon us. So when the devil starts telling you that things will never change, that your situation won’t ever improve, that all of the good of your life is in the past, use the Truth that you find right there in the printed pages of the Bible to remind him (and yourself) that God is not absent. He is not late. He is not unfaithful. He is present; He is good; He is working on your/your family’s/your child’s behalf. Things are getting better and better, not worse and worse, and while you wait for those trials to pass, set your heart on worship mode. Choose to praise God, to celebrate Him, to thank Him for all He’s doing in your life BEFORE you ever even see it.

I have gathered together a few verses that I’ve been returning to lately to help remind myself that when it’s bleak, it won’t stay that way. I find great comfort in these promises from my loving, provisional God, and I pray that you do, too. I invite you to read through these carefully, letting God settle them into your spirit. If, right now, you aren’t facing times of challenge and trial, I encourage you to share these with someone who is, maybe even save them so that when you come up against something in the future that attempts to steal your peace, you have TRUTH with which you can fight back against the darkness. And as always, I hope that you’ll pray the closing prayer with me (out loud if you can) because we know that God works through our prayers. We also know that intercessory prayers are incredibly powerful, so offer that prayer and the ones that God lays on your heart for others you know or hear of who need some comfort and peace during a tough time. May the hand of God be so very obvious in the lives of every single one of us!

(PS. The Word of God is especially powerful and active when spoken out loud. It might feel kinda weird, but don’t be afraid to speak these verses out loud over yourself or your family!)

Micah 7:7–But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

Psalm 46:10–Be still and know that I am God

Exodus 14:14–The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Zephaniah 3:17–The Lord your God is with you….He will quiet you with His love

Isaiah 23: 2-3–Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid.

Isaiah 23:4–Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name

Philippians 4:4-5–Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! The Lord is near

Philippians 4:6-7–Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God

Isaiah 40:31–But they who wait for the Lord will renew their strength…

Psalm 27:13-14–Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Lamentations 3:25–The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him

Proverbs 3:5-6–Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding

Psalm 130:5-6–I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning…

Psalm 33:20-22–Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust His holy name

Dear Lord, thank You so much for Your Word, for its guidance and encouragement. Thank You, Father, that whether life is a fierce struggle or a wonderful celebration, or even just a contented daily grind, I am never alone because You walk through it all right beside me. During this tough time, Lord, I ask that You please make Your hand visible. Help me to see evidence that You are moving in my situation. And during those times when Your work isn’t clear, help me to trust You anyway. Lord, bring me closer to you through these challenges. Help me to learn what You’d have me learn while I go through this, and please, Father, as Your Word promises, use this season of life to bring good to me and my family. I choose to believe what Your Word says, not the nasty joy-stealing lies that Satan whispers in my ear. I rebuke him in the name of Jesus, and I praise You, God, even though I can’t quite see what You’re doing just yet. I trust You, Lord, and while I wait on Your deliverance, I will put my energy into praising You for Your constant goodness. Thank You, Father God, that I don’t have to know the “how” to believe that You are making a way for me. I love You, and I am so incredibly grateful to be Your child. Might that title, Child of God, be all I need to feel joyful through the storm. In Jesus’s name I pray and in Jesus’s name I believe and receive Your blessings. Amen.

My Buddy Bart

Let me ask you a little question. When was the last time you prayed? I mean really prayed. This morning? Last night as you put your kids to bed? Lord, PLEASE let them stay in the bed this time. Not too long ago, my answer to this same question at any given time would’ve been this: the last time I prayed was whenever I needed something I couldn’t make happen for myself. Shockingly enough (<–that’s sarcasm), that’s not at all how our prayer lives should exist. To help make my point about what God’s been teaching me recently about prayer and how my prayer life should look, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Bart. My buddy Bart–that’s just what I call him ’cause we’re buds; his real name is Bartimaeus–used to be blind. Yep! It’s true. He was blind until an encounter with Jesus healed him and restored his eyesight.

The story of blind Bartimaeus can be found in the tenth chapter of Mark, verses 46 through 52. Because it’s only a few verses long and because there are critical details within those verses that we really need to discuss, please take a quick second and read the following story so that my buddy Bart can become your buddy Bart.

46 Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar…was sitting by the roadside.

47. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, saying Jesus, Son of David, have pity and mercy on me [now]!

48. And many severely censured and reproved him, telling him to keep still, but he kept on shouting out all the more, You Son of David, have pity and mercy on me [now]!

49. And Jesus stopped and said, Call him. And they called the blind man, telling him, Take courage! Get up! He is calling you.

50. And throwing off his outer garment, he leaped up and came to Jesus.

51. And Jesus said to him, What do you want Me to do for you? And the blind man said to Him, Master, let me receive my sight.

52. And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has healed you. And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road.

As it turns out, you and I have a couple of things in common with Bartimaeus: we both have needs that we can’t meet ourselves; we both have desires that must be taken to Jesus; we both agree that Jesus is a healer, a restorer, and He alone can solve our problems. But oftentimes, I realize, I’m not as smart as Bart. Oftentimes I try to “regain my sight” of my own power. Thankfully I have a Heavenly Father who is too interested in perfecting my faith to let me stay as I am. And lately, He’s really been working with me to develop a more substantial prayer life, one that sustains and emboldens my relationship with Him, instead of one that comes and goes as needs arise. It was during this time that God led me to this story about Bartimaeus and some of the very substantial lessons it teaches His children about prayer.

Per my usual, let me give you a little precursor before delving into the few points I want to make. First, I have always prayed. HOWEVER. My prayer life has ebbed and flowed depending upon my circumstances. Over the last few years I have gotten better about my prayers; I’ve prayed more often, prayed for more people, asked for God’s voice and spent time listening, but I’ve always struggled with the consistency. For me, part of the issue is that Nathan and I pray together every night before going to sleep. We pray for everything from our daughter to our friends and family, even offering up prayers for celebrities whose lives appear to be floundering. (They’re people, too. We got you, Demi Lovato!) Just being completely honest, I sometimes felt like that was enough. Actual truth: it is not. God wants personal time with each of us. Yes, PRAY OUT LOUD TOGETHER WITH YOUR SPOUSE! (Your marriage depends on this!) But don’t let that be the only time you spend with God. In other words, don’t be like Lindsey. Be like Bart. And speaking again of our joint friend, let’s take a minute to see why God felt it necessary to include his story in our Bibles.

So what exactly can we learn from a blind beggar’s story?

1. Speak up and speak out…loudly if necessary.

*In verses 47 and 48 above, the Bible says that when Bartimaeus heard Jesus was coming, he began to shout to the Lord. It also says that many around him tried to shut him up, urging him to be quiet and get it together in the presence of Jesus. But did Bart get self-conscious or start questioning his own faith? NOPE! It says he cried out even louder. Take that, haters! Y’all, we have GOT to be like Bartimaeus here. We must call out boldly to our Lord when we need Him. In fact, we must get to the point where we are willing to risk it all if necessary to be in the presence of Jesus. If those around you shame you or try to quiet you into apathy about your needs or desires, do not let yourself be held back; do not let your faith atrophy because you are afraid to exercise it in the presence of others. SIDENOTE: if the people you’ve surrounded yourself with make you feel uncomfortable about crying out to Jesus publicly or boldly, it is time to reconsider your relationships. (Amen? Amen.) Friends, big faith is born of taking big risks in the name of Jesus. When we have unmet needs, we must speak up. We must cry out, and we’ve gotta get okay with getting loud if need be. Jesus isn’t afraid of our voices. We shouldn’t be either.

*With regard to this same point of speaking out, it’s absolutely necessary that we purposefully vocalize our needs before God. WE CANNOT EXPECT GOD TO READ OUR MINDS AND CONSIDER THAT PRAYER. It is not. Our prayer activates God’s power. It is not the other way around. We must step out in faith and call on our Father. We must tell Him what we need. Check out verse 51 above. After calling out and being heard and recognized by Jesus, Bartimaeus approached the Lord, to which the Lord replied, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Um, hello. As if Jesus didn’t already know that ole Barti needed his sight restored. Of course He knew! But Jesus isn’t in the wish-granting, magic wand waving business. He requires and desires direct communication from us of our needs. What is it that you need from God, today? Have you been direct? Have you intentionally (and boldly and expectantly) approached God through prayer to ask very specifically for what you need? Simply wishing this, that, or the other will change isn’t enough. We’ve got to speak up, speak out, and verbalize what we need. Yes, God already knows, but our sitting and waiting on Him to answer prayers we don’t offer up is foolish. At the risk of being redundant, our faith activates God’s power. Prayer is an excellent projection of that faith (even if it’s a tiny mustard seed of faith). Speak up, friends, and be specific.

2. Share your outcomes!

*I’m sure we all know that AMAZING feeling when we’ve been praying and praying for something that finally we see come to fruition. What a joyous weight-lifter that is! But how often do we see and feel the hand of God move in our lives, only to keep quiet about it? After Jesus healed blind Bart’s sight, the story closes with this statement in verse 52: And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road. You’re probably substantially less dense than I am and have already realized the significance of this last verse, but it took my slow self three full readings of this story before seeing it. After my second read-through, I thought the ending was kind of anti-climatic. I mean, here’s this guy who is blind, who gets loud and boisterous despite being hushed, who cries out to Jesus faithfully in his time of great need, who is fully healed for crying out loud (you see what I did there!), and then all of a sudden Jesus and Bartimaeus leave and the story ends. I couldn’t make that make sense. So I tried again, and…lightbulb! Bartimaeus accompanies Jesus on the road. Do you think for one second that our good buddy Bart went with Jesus on to the next stop and never told a single person about what Jesus did for him? NOT. A. CHANCE.

*You and I must do as Bartimaeus did. When we cry out to God, when God hears us and answers, we have a duty. It’s our job as His children to further His Kingdom, to win souls for Heaven. Y’all, answered prayer can do exactly that! And it doesn’t even have to be our own answered prayer. Yes, the prayers that you offer up and receive answers to are definitely used by God to strengthen your relationship with Him and build your faith, but your testimony can be used to build others’ faith, too. Share your story! Share your victories and help others understand that if God helped you, He’ll help them, too. Accompany Jesus on the road. Help spread His message so that others can see Him better.

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While praying over this blog post, I asked God to help me communicate His message through it. The two points above are those from the Bible reading that I felt He’d placed on my heart. However, I also felt Him leading me to two others that weren’t necessarily from Bartimaeus’s story, but points that are definitely biblical truths about prayer. {Serious voice} Let us continue.

3. Don’t forget to praise God!

*As believers and children of God who want to grow closer to Him and get to know Him better, it’s crucial that our prayer time not be simply a presentation of needs. Yes, as we’ve seen, God truly desires that we bring our needs and lay them expectantly at His feet. However, if all we ever do is come before God with a “laundry list” of wants and needs we’re missing the point of prayer. If all we ever do is come to God ONLY once we’ve exhausted our own resources and avenues, we’re missing the point of prayer. Friends, PRAYER IS POWERFUL! Prayer was created by the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE so that you and I could personally contact Him any time we wanted. Take that in for a second. But if we only ever exercise this immense privilege as a last resort or when we need something, we are handicapping our relationship with God. This is a lesson I’m currently in the very midst of learning, but it’s one of those that I can already tell is a HUGE game-changer in my walk with Jesus. We must devote time to simply praising God, regardless of what our circumstances look like. Y’all, I am testifying to this first hand: Praise is a heart-changer. It strengthens our bond to the Father in a way that nothing else can. It changes us from the inside out in a way that simply getting an answered prayer (that we quickly move past and often forget about) cannot.

*Recently I found myself praying about an overwhelming situation pretty often. On one hand I was doing well–I was taking my issues to the Lord instead of trying to work things out in my own power. But I was missing the boat still. I was so focused on what I needed and how much I needed and showing God that I was doing what I was supposed to (look at me, God! I’m praying and showing I have faith. Look, look!) that I forgot to praise God in the midst of my storm. I felt so convicted about my behavior that I decided for the next day, despite a great need, I would offer up only prayers of praise. Instead of begging for God’s hand, I simply thanked Him for His power. Instead of calling Him into action, I simply thanked Him for the work I was determined to believe He was doing even though I couldn’t see it just yet. I even made sure to thank Him for the incredible privilege of being able to cast my cares onto His shoulders so that I didn’t buckle under their weight. Words cannot describe the impact those prayers of praise had on me. No, my situation didn’t immediately change. But my heart did. I am not articulate enough to describe the internal shift within me after purposefully choosing prayers of praise, but I can promise you that if you’ll do the same, it won’t take long and you’ll know EXACTLY what I’m talking about.

LAST ONE! Hang in there!

4. Be real and get real

*Can we all just agree to talk like normal human beings when we talk to God? I promise He can still understand you if you hum-haw around or stutter or talk in circles. You don’t have to sound like the King James Version of the Bible in order to get your message across. You don’t have to sound like Beth Moore for God to answer you. Just be you. Say normal words in a normal way.

*Also, tell God what the REAL you is feeling. Do you feel too overwhelmed or upset to pray? Tell Him that and let Him help you. Are you too exhausted (mentally/spiritually/emotionally?) to pray? Tell Him. Do you feel too confused, too sad, too crushed, too hurt? He understands. Just be up front. You don’t have to hide those feelings from Him. Try this with me: Father, I want to pray because I know Your goodness and might are exactly what I need the most, but, Lord, I just feel too hurt to get my prayers out. I don’t know what to say because my emotions are too strong right now. Help me, Lord. I don’t want to feel this way.

*Are you so busy and your life so cram-packed that you truly do not know where to begin with praying regularly? I mean, sure it’s easy for this person or that person, but they don’t have your schedule, am I right? They don’t have your responsibilities. Let me ask you this: Have you talked to God about that? Here’s a start: Father, I truly desire to spend more time with You, but I don’t really know how to make that happen. Can you help me, please? Show me times in my day, Lord, that I can use for prayer. Help me, Father, to be obedient in using those times you show me to communicate with You in prayer instead of doing other things. Thank you for your help, Lord.

Before I close, let me apologize for this post being so lengthy. The topic of prayer is such a personal one because of how intensely God’s working with me on it right now, and obviously I had lots to say. If you’ve made it this far, thank you. You guys all bless me more than you know. Until next time…

Dear Lord, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the privilege to come to You in prayer any time. Thank you, Father, that I can be myself, that I can speak plainly and You will still appreciate my words. I want to do better with my prayer life, but I need Your help with it, Lord. Help me to seek You, not just what You can do for me. I love you, Lord, and I desire to be closer to You. I recognize that prayer is how to do that, and I ask that You work with me and within me to refine this area. You are so good, God, and as Your child, I worship You. It’s in Jesus’s name that I pray. Amen.