Choosing Wonder

I still do a lot of writing the old fashioned way, by hand. I realize that must sound very archaic, and it's one of the reasons why most of my musings don't turn up in this much-neglected blog!  I just completed my last entry for this year in my journal, simply because there were no more empty pages!  Time to start a new one. The following contains my ramblings from today's entry as I reflected on the events of  Matthew 4....

I wonder if the devil came in some physical form when he came to tempt Jesus...

I wonder if angels have ever come to "attend" to my needs...

I wonder if Zebedee was ever angry with Jesus for taking his two sons and leaving him with all the work...

I wonder (and pray) if there can be a new move of God's power to sweep over modern day Syria, multiplying thousands upon thousands of Christ followers...

It just seems fitting to close this journal with questions, since mostly that is what I have for my Lord.  The events of this year have once again confirmed my inability to figure things out, to have the answers.  Too often, my questions come out of frustration and doubt.  I'm reminded, however, of the potential to flip these moments into wonder.  The Advent season is a great time to begin this practice, to leave the questioning and complaining behind (Chances are, we won't find the answers anyway!) and turn them into wonder.  My prayer today is for expressions of wonder to permeate my being as I celebrate the first advent of Christ and look forward to his glorious return.

Led by the Spirit...Into the Desert

I love the idea of being led by the Spirit into green pastures and quiet waters. These are moments when I experience God's presence and favor. Sometimes these moments are repeated day after day, becoming seasons of rest and fresh revelation from the Lord. I know Who is in control and I'm confident that He is taking care of every need. In a sense, I'm being pampered.

Yet what about the times when the Good Shepherd leads us into desert places? Those dry and lonely places where He seems distant and unconcerned? This often happens during periods of transition. Could God be preparing me for something, slowly and patiently working on my character and strengthening my ability to resist temptation? Is He possibly moving me into a new area of ministry and greater influence?

In preparation times the fundamental need is for our resistance to be built up. Our ability to resist and overcome evil is connected to our capacity to do good. And so Jesus was "led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." - Matthew 4:1

Forty days of being led by the Spirit. Forty days of temptation. My common perception has been that the temptation occurred strictly at the end of the 40 days. But Luke's gospel states that Jesus was tempted for forty days (Lk 4:1). One trial after another, one long season of dryness and difficulty. Ever feel this way?  I have. Could it be that this is no accident?  What if God has designed this season for a purpose, specifically for your long-term benefit and growth?

I confess, sometimes I need a change of perspective before I can truly learn to cooperate with God in the desert places. Rather than seeing my dilemma as a form of punishment, I've needed to embrace it as His provision. Don't get me wrong. I'll take the green pastures and quiet waters any day. But I'm learning to trust God's leading and purpose in the desert places as well. 

Presumption

After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.” Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.” -  I Chronicles 17:1-2 Upon reading the above passage and the verses which follow, I was struck by my tendency to think and plan without taking the time to get the big picture.  From a position of comfort and security, I start thinking I know what God needs and when he needs it.  I start making plans and ask God to bless them. That's called presumption!

• Presumptuous thinking and planning often start with good intentions. David wanted to build a house that would honor God's name. But did God ever say he wanted a house, let alone that David would be the one to build it?  David's motivation was good, but he lacked the broader perspective of what God was doing through the generations and with a whole nation. He lacked vision. He need God's perspective.

• Presumptuous thinking and planning is often rooted in comfort and security.  David was settled in his palace. Comfort and security have a way of dulling our senses. The danger is to equate good times and good feelings with God's blessing and favor.  I'm not saying that God doesn't desire to bless and give good gifts to his children; He certainly does. But King David was reminded that God's plan went far beyond his own personal comfort and present state of feeling blessed.

God was quick to remind David that He doesn't operate on a need basis. He doesn't need anything.  Instead, He works to accomplish His vision for the sake of the people He loves and for the blessed future He envisions for them.  He desires to communicate His vision to us so that we have the ability to partner effectively with Him.

Once God had spoken, I believe a burden was lifted from David's shoulders - the burden to do something for God which we often carry with us. The burden to please by doing something for Him rather than being with Him. That day I believe King David traded his self-induced, short term, presumptuous thinking for God's long-term vision. And just maybe, the king slept a little better that night as he reflected on God's words...

“‘I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you..." - I Chronicles 17:10b