Why are people surprised when God answers prayer? And why are Christians surprised when He answers in a way that is truly miraculous?
We have been in crisis mode for over a year now. We've been praying for relief in one form or another for over a year now. Nothing was happening. Nothing bad, but nothing good either. It seems like everything was simply stuck in idle. Very frustrating, at least to me.
Within the last two weeks, yes two weeks, events happened one after the other that led to the relief we've been seeking for months. Timing has been absolutely perfect. Perfect. Why?
Because God has been in control all along. He knew what was coming up and when and timed the relief to arrive at precisely the right moment.
And yet, somehow, we're surprised. Oh, look! Isn't that amazing? It happened so perfectly, it's a miracle!
Miracle? Or just God being God? He's taken care of us throughout the uncertainty. He's been providing answers and provisions on time, every time since the dawn of time, so why would that change now? He certainly hasn't changed over the millennia, why should I be afraid that He's going to change and fail me?
As Christians, we often get so caught up in the circumstances that we really forget that God is in control. We want the answer NOW, when now may not be the right time for that answer. And so often we aren't even asking the right question.
Prayer should be simple. "Father, do Your will and I will follow." We can tell Him what we want; I've often told Him what my preferred solution is. But ultimately, we need to simply ask for His will to be done. He does know best, and He proves it regularly to me.
I don't want bad things to happen to the people I love. So I pray for healing and protection. I don't want to be in crisis, so I pray for relief. But God's plan is bigger than anything I can possible imagine and His goals are so far beyond me that I simply can't see past the end of my nose. I need to learn to simply pray and to pray simply; "Father, do Your will and I will follow." It's a hard lesson and I don't get it and I haven't gotten it yet. But I'm trying. Very.
Thank you Father for the perfect answer at the perfect time.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Do You Believe in Easter?
Once upon a time there was a garden. In it lived two people who had complete access to their King and God. They had a perfect relationship with the One who had created them.
One day, a choice was made. A choice to disobey the one rule God had set changed the nature of the perfect relationship and the two people had to leave the perfect garden. No longer would they have complete open access to commune with God and to worship at His feet and walk by His side. Disobedience and imperfection cannot abide in the presence of a Holy God.
For the next four thousand years, the descendants of these people engaged in a recurring cycle of obedience, prosperity, disobedience, enslavement, repentance, deliverance, and sacrifice. The people wept in their sin for the loss of their relationship with their God. God wept in His heaven for the brokenness of His children.
A child was born. An unusual child. His mother was a virgin; she had never known a man. His father was the Holy Spirit; God Himself.
This child grew up and at the age of 30 became a traveling teacher. He called men of various backgrounds and talents to follow with Him and learn from Him. He taught the people about peace, love, forgiveness. He promised them if they would but believe His words completely, they would be able to once again have the relationship with God that had been lost in that long ago garden. He was inclusively exclusive. Anyone could come; but they could only come through Him. He was the Way to the Father.
The powers that be of the time chose not to believe this Man and had Him arrested on the basis of lies and innuendo. He was found guilty and sentenced to die. His followers cowered in fear that they would be next and some wondered if they had all been fooled.
The Man was executed in the most horrific manner of the time; crucifixion. He had been beaten to near death, stripped of everything, then nailed to a wooden cross and hung up to die, suffocated by the weight of His own body. He was then laid out in a borrowed tomb, sealed behind a massive stone and guards set at the entrance. Even dead, His enemies were afraid of Him. With good reason.
Three days later, some of the women who had followed this Man made their way to the tomb in order to properly prepare the body for burial. The guards were gone, the stone had been moved and the tomb was empty. The women did not know what to think.
In the silence of that tomb, one looked up and saw a man there whom she thought was the gardener. When questioned, He simply looked at her and spoke her name. In that moment she knew; this was her Lord and He had risen as He had promised even though none of them had understood at the time. She ran to others, tears of joy overflowing, and brought them back to the empty tomb.
Later, as they discussed and wondered, He appeared to them all. He allowed the doubter to touch Him and see where the nails had been driven into living flesh and bone.
Now they understood. The final, perfect sacrifice had been made and accepted. God had agreed that the death of Jesus was enough; it was sufficient to atone for the sins of all mankind, past, present, and future.
Anyone could have the gift of that atonement by believing in this Jesus and following Him. One could not buy it; it was priceless. One could not earn it; it was beyond human capability to be good enough. One could only humbly admit that he was a sinner in need of salvation, believe and accept that Jesus had died in his place, rejoice that Jesus had defeated death, and accept that gift of grace that was offered. Simple acceptance of truth.
So do you believe in Easter? Does this day mean something to you beyond a new dress, some chocolate bunnies and colored eggs? Yes? Then ask the people around you "Do you believe in Easter?" and share the truth with them. Share the gift you have been given with those who are dying all around you. Share life. Share truth. Share Easter.
One day, a choice was made. A choice to disobey the one rule God had set changed the nature of the perfect relationship and the two people had to leave the perfect garden. No longer would they have complete open access to commune with God and to worship at His feet and walk by His side. Disobedience and imperfection cannot abide in the presence of a Holy God.
For the next four thousand years, the descendants of these people engaged in a recurring cycle of obedience, prosperity, disobedience, enslavement, repentance, deliverance, and sacrifice. The people wept in their sin for the loss of their relationship with their God. God wept in His heaven for the brokenness of His children.
A child was born. An unusual child. His mother was a virgin; she had never known a man. His father was the Holy Spirit; God Himself.
This child grew up and at the age of 30 became a traveling teacher. He called men of various backgrounds and talents to follow with Him and learn from Him. He taught the people about peace, love, forgiveness. He promised them if they would but believe His words completely, they would be able to once again have the relationship with God that had been lost in that long ago garden. He was inclusively exclusive. Anyone could come; but they could only come through Him. He was the Way to the Father.
The powers that be of the time chose not to believe this Man and had Him arrested on the basis of lies and innuendo. He was found guilty and sentenced to die. His followers cowered in fear that they would be next and some wondered if they had all been fooled.
The Man was executed in the most horrific manner of the time; crucifixion. He had been beaten to near death, stripped of everything, then nailed to a wooden cross and hung up to die, suffocated by the weight of His own body. He was then laid out in a borrowed tomb, sealed behind a massive stone and guards set at the entrance. Even dead, His enemies were afraid of Him. With good reason.
Three days later, some of the women who had followed this Man made their way to the tomb in order to properly prepare the body for burial. The guards were gone, the stone had been moved and the tomb was empty. The women did not know what to think.
In the silence of that tomb, one looked up and saw a man there whom she thought was the gardener. When questioned, He simply looked at her and spoke her name. In that moment she knew; this was her Lord and He had risen as He had promised even though none of them had understood at the time. She ran to others, tears of joy overflowing, and brought them back to the empty tomb.
Later, as they discussed and wondered, He appeared to them all. He allowed the doubter to touch Him and see where the nails had been driven into living flesh and bone.
Now they understood. The final, perfect sacrifice had been made and accepted. God had agreed that the death of Jesus was enough; it was sufficient to atone for the sins of all mankind, past, present, and future.
Anyone could have the gift of that atonement by believing in this Jesus and following Him. One could not buy it; it was priceless. One could not earn it; it was beyond human capability to be good enough. One could only humbly admit that he was a sinner in need of salvation, believe and accept that Jesus had died in his place, rejoice that Jesus had defeated death, and accept that gift of grace that was offered. Simple acceptance of truth.
So do you believe in Easter? Does this day mean something to you beyond a new dress, some chocolate bunnies and colored eggs? Yes? Then ask the people around you "Do you believe in Easter?" and share the truth with them. Share the gift you have been given with those who are dying all around you. Share life. Share truth. Share Easter.
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