Rain and Reign

Homonyms – two words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. As a second grade teacher, this was one of my favorite lessons to teach. It figures. I’m a writer. I love words.

You probably expected me to talk about thankfulness this week, not homonyms. But this morning’s prayer time led me to discuss a simple truth: sometimes praying is difficult. Let’s be honest. Sometimes we don’t know what to pray or how to pray. Sometimes our gratitude sounds repetitive. Sometimes we lack words. It’s on those days I am especially thankful the Spirit intercedes on our behalf.

We don’t show this side of our prayer lives to others. In fact, we’d rather hide it. I haven’t seen an article lately on prayers that lack passion. Am I the only one who struggles on occasion? I know I’m not. Sometimes we are eager to pray, our mouths bursting forth from the fullness of our heart. Other days our hearts seem half-empty, and our mouths follow suit. But when asked to pray aloud in church, we always find a way to pray, clothing our words with our Sunday best. Kind of like homonyms, such prayers may sound the same as those from a sincere heart, but they are different.

Sometimes our hearts are filled with praise and thanksgiving, and praying comes easy. Other times our hearts are filled with grief and desperation, and our prayers erupt from the depths of our souls. A prayer offered sincerely, whether in joy or anguish, is an honorable one. Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)

But still there are other times when our hearts are simply beating, and sincere prayers are laborious. Truth be told, most days our hearts are not overwhelmed with joy or pain. Most days our hearts read “average” on the barometer of emotion, and so seem our prayers; for from the heart, the mouth speaks. (Matt 12:34) But emotions should not drive our prayers. It is a spiritual love of God that should fill our hearts, not just an emotional one. This love encompasses all of us, transcending both emotion and intellect. It is based on a personal knowledge of God, that because of Jesus, His Spirit lives within us.

So how do I pray from this spiritual love when my joy is waning and my angst minimal? How do I approach the throne of God in spirit and truth with a heart that is simply beating? Today was one of those days. I have many things for which to be thankful, and I have concerns to bring to God in prayer. But my words did not flow readily. I did not wish to pray out of habit, or with pretty Sunday words. I desired to worship, praying in spirit and in truth. God led me to pray just two words: reign and rain.

The two greatest needs I have every day, regardless of my mood or circumstances, are for God to reign in me and to rain in me. Just because God lives in me doesn’t mean I honor Him as ruler of my life. So I must begin each day by bowing my heart and submitting to His lordship. Also each day, I need His Living Water of refreshment to quench my thirsty soul. Especially on days when the emotional barometer isn’t worth reading, I need a shower straight from His heart to enliven mine. I can thank Him in advance, as surely God will answer these two simple and sincere prayers every time I ask.

If we had a heavenly perspective of our salvation, we would overflow with joy every moment of every day, constantly thanking God in prayer for our blessings. But we are humans, still fighting battles of the flesh for a victorious view. Yet while our emotional delight may not spill over 100% of the time, we should be grateful that neither does our emotional strain. God may allow days or even seasons of desperation when it’s easier to be on our knees than on our feet, but thankfully these don’t last a lifetime. Everyone experiences reprieve.

But regardless of our emotional state, our spiritual state is constant. Our relationship with God is secure, and does not depend on the force of our feelings, or the wealth of our words. For this, I am also thankful. So on days like today, when my mouth is barren and my emotions are as still as the fog out my window, I’ll simply pray for rain.

Slaying perfectionism with the sword of truth

Today I am pleased to recommend an outstanding devotional book for women. It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life by Joan C. Webb offers freedom to the gal like me who tends toward perfectionism. Most of us do, to some degree, recoil frequently after thoughts that we could have, should have, would have done better on a task or in a situation. If you're like me, you fight with overanalyzing your own mess-ups, instead of rejoicing in God's grace and His promise to work everything into good. (Rom 8:28) Joan's easy-reading reflections help free the mind to focus on God's unconditional love.

Joan is a recovering workaholic and perfectionist who communicates a message of freedom and renewal, coaching and teaching others to become who God has gifted them to be. She speaks nationally and internationally and has appeared on Christian radio and television. Joan is the author or coauthor of magazine articles, curriculum and eleven books, including The Relief of Imperfection. She even wrote study notes for The Women of Faith Study Bible. And believe it or not, I met Joan on Twitter!

Here's a sample devotional she has allowed me to copy and paste for you here. Another devotional will be posted on Samaritian Diva's blog tomorrow, Nov. 6 at www.samaritiandiva.com. There's an ongoing "blog tour" you can follow, and the schedule is here. Copies of the book can be purchased by clicking on this link.

Do It Again

Luke 5:5-6: “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, we’ll try again.” And this time their nets were so full they began to tear! (NLT)

From my window just now, I watched a golfer prepare and then strike his little white ball only to flub it. It popped into the rough three feet to the right of where he stood. He slumped and shook his club. Then he walked over to the ball’s new position and hit again. It sailed through the air, over the bunker and landed near the hole.

Sometimes we do it well. (It might be parenting, working, exercising, praying, teaching—or whatever.) Other times even our best efforts yield less than stellar results and we slump inwardly.

I think Simon Peter probably wasn’t thrilled when he and his co-workers worked all night with nothing to show. As a professional, surely he practiced the latest tricks of his trade. Still no fish. Yet when Jesus said try again, he did.

We can, too. Like the disappointed golfer, we can walk a little further, steady our stance and try again. Our actions won’t always be flawless, since only God is perfect every moment of every day. Yet we can listen and obey his promptings to do it again.

Lord, I’m bummed, but I’m willing to try again. Please honor my efforts and bring worthwhile results.

Making It Personal: So you flubbed? I challenge you to try again—consistently for the next 3 weeks. What will you do? Cement your decision by writing it here and calling a caring friend to share.

Embracing Change

This past weekend we had the joy of spending time with some of our dearest friends at their lake house. Nestled in the tall trees of East Texas, we shared all of life for a few brief days. We walked in peace and harmony along the tree lined roadways, talking and listening to one another. Such time with friends is a treasure. Jesus calls us friends, too, and He longs for us to treasure our daily walk with Him.

The leaves were still changing while we were there. Some changes were obvious, and others more subtle. Our lives are like those trees that go in and out of seasons of change. Spring and fall are seasons of obvious change, like times of new births and marriages. But the changes of winter and summer are less obvious, like stable career seasons and mature discipleship. Winter is so still and barren we wonder if there is any life happening. But if we were to look inside the tree, we would see life, change and growth. This is true with us, too. Regardless of the season, change is always occurring.

As long as we remain connected to the vine of Christ, we will continue to grow and change. This is His design for us. We will never be perfect this side of heaven, but we will be perfected. Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6, “For He who began a good work in you will perfect it.” He goes on to say, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:12-14)

What a prize indeed! To be in His presence, to enjoy His fellowship, and to be changed into His likeness as we walk toward the brighter days of heaven. We are called upward, to reach toward heaven and relate with God even now. Ultimately we will see Him face to face, and this is our ultimate gift. Until then, we have the blessing of not remaining in our damaged state of existence, but being transformed in heart, soul and mind so that we can bring Him glory. But we must realize that this change process is a blessing. Paul embraced this God-led journey, continuing to press onward and upward.

Our goal is to be changed, to be transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ, and we must be guided every moment of the day by prayer and the Holy Spirit to make the right decisions that will bring about the right changes. The kind of changes that are important in our walk with God can only come about by walking in the Spirit of God - following Him, trusting Him and obeying Him. Only God can change us into His likeness. We cannot.

As you walk on in obedience, God will continue to work in you and change you to be more like Christ, who was and is perfect. I pray you welcome His perfecting hand as you enjoy this season of change.

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For similar thoughts presented in video format, please view my October segment on the WebTV show, "Fresh Start", with author, speaker and friend, Karol Ladd.