Today is the National Day of Prayer, so a few of us got together at the church this morning before work to spend time praying for our nation, our church, and those who don't know Christ. I couldn't help but think, "Why aren't we doing this more often?" Most great movements within the church happen by accident... well, let me clarify that. ALL great movements in the church happen by the power of the Holy Spirit, who never seems to fit into our schedules or programs - He just seems to show up whenever He wants. Or as Jesus explained to Nicodemus, "The
wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell
where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born
of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) So even though my first inclination is to jump right to setting a schedule, and arranging groups of people to meet and pray together, and maybe set up some musicians to provide some worship, and... Maybe I'll just sit and reflect on what God is doing and listen for the breeze stirring.
With that in mind I offer you these reflections.
Get Me Out of the Way.
So many times I approach you with wishes,
Demands,
MY ideas MY desires MY plans for You
I come to you with a self-focused heart
A heart that longs for MY OWN goodness,
MY OWN satisfaction, MY OWN godliness.
In this relationship with you somehow it all I can think about is me, me, me.
Is it because I'm such a mess? Because I constantly fail?
I get so caught up in MY world,
work, family, responsibilities, entertainment.
I come to you wanting something for ME.
Won't you teach ME lead ME guide ME
When I stop to consider who you are,
the ALMIGHTY, the ETERNAL, the CREATOR, the Sovereign LORD
When I stop to consider what you've done
you committed yourself to a people who rejected you,
SPAT in your face, shook their finger at you, DEFIED you.
you became the lowliest of servants,
not just a man - a man of sorrows, a man of humility, a man who knew pain, loneliness, suffering.
When I get my focus off myself and look full in the face of your
Glory
Majesty
Power
Holiness
When I consider YOUR plans
To bring the lost back to you
To stand against evil in all its subtleties
To execute justice on the earth
To rescue the oppressed, the downtrodden - the orphan, the cripple, the widow
To display your unlimited, unconditional mercy, grace, and love
To judge sin with justice and righteousness
It is then that I can move beyond myself to something greater
It is then that nothing is impossible
It is then that You move through me
It is then that I see miracles happen
It is then, and only then that I find true fulfillment
And somehow all the things I thought were essential before,
Are lost somewhere in the amazing story YOU are writing in my life.
