I was reminded of that when I went to visit a Christian friend who shared how she had been berated and hollered at by a care giver, simply because she put her light on for help. The person had done this before and my friend had answered her back, only this time she had just kept quiet, knowing that saying anything would only escalate things. We talked about the situation and I told her that she would need to forgive her, even though the other person wasn’t sorry. When we forgive, then God will deal with the person and we are set free. It helped that we talked about how Jesus knew exactly how she was feeling for He forgave those who mocked Him, spit on Him and there were times He simply kept silent. Her heart softened and she replied, “Yes, I can forgive her! I will forgive her.” We ended up praying for the gal who makes life hard for her, and my friend had peace in forgiveness.

Some of the characteristics that should be indicative of a Jesus’ follower would be: being a person of integrity, one who refrains from lying (even little lies), cheating, adultery, etc. Also, he or she doesn’t make excuses and keeps commitments and promises. Daniel of the Bible was like an open book and such a person of integrity that his enemies could find no fault in him. It says in Daniel 6:4 “He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” No matter how hard they searched there was nothing to criticize in him. Wouldn’t that be great if that could be said of each of us?

Jesus’ followers are to work hard and faithfully because of what He has already done for us. Our work should be a joy when we do it for Him and He has promised to give us a reward for whatever we do in His name. Whether we are cleaning restrooms or work as a CEO or a cashier, we are to do it for His glory. We also need to ask for forgiveness when our work is done only half-heartedly or pridefully, for we are to serve Him with all our being.

We are to be hospitable to others, not to make a big impression, but to express God’s love to them. Our homes are to be used as resources as we express love to others and bring them encouragement over coffee or perhaps a hot meal. We are to be genuine in our love and do it as unto the Lord. Paul says in Romans 12:9, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”

Out of the blue one day recently I heard the words, “I don’t want to be a bother!” I’m sure it was the Holy Spirit telling me what I have held in my heart since I was a small child. I came into the world with my mom having a 3-year-old and a 1 ½ year old son and then surprisingly me, another baby in her already busy life. I grew up wanting to be more hidden rather than in the limelight and was surprised if attention was given to me for something I did. I just sort of passed compliments off and didn’t believe the words others said. My husband would also tell you that I just let things roll right on by and do not take them in. As a pastor’s wife, I did not like the spotlight on me and especially did not welcome public speaking engagements. But lately I think the Lord has been getting my attention that I am not a bother, for He welcomes me and loves me. Of course, my mind has always known that, but a deep place in my heart has not fully received the message. In case I don’t fully get this now, He has brought people into my life lately to share what God has said to them through something of my life or these devotions, etc…people out of the blue and even those I have not known personally. Yes Lord, I get it! You love me, you welcome me just as I am and I praise you.

I believe God wants each of us to rejoice in who He created us to be! We are loved beyond anything we can imagine. A friend shared how her grandson that lives 175 miles away, saw her in a large restaurant and ran the entire length of it as fast as his little legs could go, yelling “Grandma, Grandma!” and then fell into her arms. Let us picture Jesus that way, welcoming us into His arms of love, not for what we do, but for who we are. Now back to my dancing!!!!

But we also come to experience God through our minds and intellect as we read the Word and books about God, and also seeing God’s intricate fashioning of our bodies and minds. We have so many translations today of the Word, commentaries galore and unlimited books, and you may even be able to read scripture in the original Greek and Hebrew.

There is also another way of knowing God by our spirit: it is a heart knowing as our spirit unites with Him, which means letting go of all our attachments and surrendering. Sometimes it seems like He is hiding from us as we don’t necessarily have warm cozy feelings, but this also requires us to have faith. We believe even when we don’t have goose bumps and even when it all seems rather dry. It is a time to learn to trust God even when He seems to be hidden. We are incapable of fully knowing and experiencing the fullness of His presence, as it would be like looking directly at the sun. Sometimes God takes us through dark nights of the soul and we come to know Him in a deep way through experiencing Him in what seems like his absence.

We might ask ourselves if we are willing to be humble and let God lead us in His way and not revert to our own ways. When we live from obligation and commands we miss so much. But when we trust Him and are open to all the ways of knowing Him, we have peace and joy and freedom.

We all need to meditate on the Word or spiritual readings, but then also move on to pray in words or in silent contemplation of being with the Lord. I’m quite sure many of us have also fallen asleep while praying or watched the clock waiting for the set time to be over. Even when we are not fully attentive to the Lord, He knows our desire when we show up and are trying to persevere.  One of my friends lights a candle when she spends time with the Lord and others may use music to help keep focused. Sometimes we experience a special touch of the Lord, and He may flood us with joy or even fill our eyes with tears. While we don’t know when those special touches will come, we may respond with thankfulness and joy.

One thing we know is that we can take off our masks before the Lord and be real with Him, for He knows our hearts, our motives and thoughts. The closeness of our relationship is much like the sharing between closest friends. We can respond to the Lord in many ways, from silently being with him, to singing loudly, leaping for joy, dancing, etc. Prayer is not discovering some special technique, but it’s really about growing in our relationship with Him. As we surrender our self-will and attachment to worldly things, the Lord will transform us more and more. Giving up our self-love will and admitting how helpless we are results in more love for God and for others.

Hope you have a blessed day. The weather looks to be lovely and we are going to head off to the lake early this morning and stop to see a friend at the Assisted Living along the way. We are looking forward to a relaxing day by the water and possibly a sauna and swim. Maybe a game of Scrabble also with Ann and Terry. 

The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the source and the perfecter of our faith. (Heb. 12) The Message translation tells us to “strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.”

We probably all need to strip down and cast off the unnecessary things that hold us back from focusing on the Lord. They may not be sinful things in themselves, but could be time wasting things like continually scrolling down on our phones, excessive gaming, vegetating in front of the T.V., etc. When the Word says to strip down, it may be that we need to let go of some old things and let the Lord arrange the new things in our lives that He has purposed. He can divinely arrange our lives so that we become alive and live connected to Him. Jesus never lost sight of where He was headed, and neither should we. Let us live in greater simplicity, be single-focused and not scattered, but instead let our main thing be our connection with Him.