Trust in him, and he will act.

This has been a busy week here in Haskell.  We've had meetings, three open house nights at school, church activities, and an unexpected injury around here.  I've discovered that ministry is like that.  Some weeks are quiet while others are hectic.  Most of life is like that.  We go through times of busy-ness and activity and other times of slowing down and "normal" activity.

During those normal days, it can be fairly easy to remain in the Word of God, pray, and keep focus on Christian discipleship.  But the problem with that is that our devotions can become rote; we do something because we always do it.  On the other hand, during those times of busy-ness and activity it can be hard to remain focused on our walk with the LORD.  We can get so busy that we begin to drift away from where we were.

Then there are those times that we do everything we know to do.  We pray every day.  We read our Bibles and keep our minds focused on the Father's ministry.  Even in the midst of those times, it can seem as though we don't hear from God.  It can seem that we are simply spinning our wheels and that we are doing this all by ourselves.  That is where I've been this week.  In the midst of all of this activity I have continued to seek the Kingdom of God.  I have remained faithful and yet God has seemed distant this week.  Maybe it's because I have been so busy that I have failed to really look to see where he is active in the midst of ministry, family, and life.  Perhaps if I were to just slow down even in the middle of the busy schedule I would see how he is actively involved in what is going on around me.

When I start feeling like this I like to look to the Psalms.  In the 37th Psalm, the psalmist writes "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.  Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.  He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.  Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices" (3-7).

What the psalmist is saying is what we, as the people of God, should do is to continue doing what we know we are supposed to do.  The LORD is there with us...he continues to be there in our midst even when he seems far away.  He is acting for us, in us, and through us.  He is ministering all around us, even if we can't always see how his plans are coming together.  In West Texas we have a saying, "Keep on keepin' on."  That seems to be what the psalmist is telling us here.  Even if it seems as though we are doing this discipleship thing alone, God is with us.  Even if we fail to have the eyes to see and the ears to hear, the Holy Spirit is active.  He is going out and preparing the way for us so that we can join him in ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.

This song by Barlow Girl is one that helps to remind me of the truth of Psalm 37.  This kind of song might not be what some of you typically listen to, but I hope you listen anyway.  The lyrics always encourage me in my daily walk, even in the midst of silence.



Until next time...

+May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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When He Came to Himself...

This past semester I took a class on spiritual formation.  One of the assignments that we were given was to take a day for personal reflection, prayer, and meditation.  I decided to use that day of prayer to seek God's direction for me as I entered my first appointment with the Church.  During that time of reflection, the Spirit led me to the parables of Jesus Christ.  As I read through those familiar stories I began to sense that the LORD wanted me to preach through the parables the first few weeks that I was in Haskell.  I made a calendar and began to choose which parable I would preach on which Sunday.  Back in April I thought this would be a fun way of entering into the community of faith with my parishioners.

The more time I've spent in these stories told by Jesus, the more I realize that perhaps this sermon series was less for them and more for me.  I have gained so many valuable things in my own spiritual development that I have literally been driven to my knees in prayer, confession, and seeking God's mercy.  I have been reminded over and over of God's great compassion and love that he has for all people.  I have also been reminded of humanity's self-centered attitude and our amazing ability to forget all the good things that the LORD our God has done for us.

This past Sunday I preached from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).  This parable is quite possibly the most beautiful short story I have ever read.    I'm sure you're all well aware of this story and the final outcome, so I won't rehash all of that.  But one thing that has really been impressed upon me since I proclaimed this message is how truly loving our Father is.  Because of his desire for us to have our own mind he allows us to leave down the road with our inheritance.  Yet, in his heart he continues to love us and desire for us "to come to ourselves" (or "come to our senses"--NIV).  He genuinely desires that intimate relationship with us but he will not force it upon us.

The more I've thought about this story, the more I see how loving our Father is.  In the song "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" we are reminded how far the Father has gone in reclaiming us as his own.  In verse 1, we are told of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross so that we can be reconciled to our Father.  In verse 2, we are told of the Holy Spirit and his active pursuit of us even when we leave with every intention of never returning.  He helps us come to our senses so that we can come back to the Father.  And then, of course, is the Father.  Verse 3 speaks of him.  When we return, there he is...loving us, having compassion on us, and placing a ring on our finger, a robe on our back, and sandals on our feet.  All that we can do is fall down in confession and in humiliation, and he responds in steadfast love with grace.

I have learned to love our Father more this week.  I have learned to appreciate the Son more this week.  I have also learned to lean on the Spirit more this week.  Perhaps that is a part of the Christian journey.  Loving, appreciating, and leaning on God in all three persons more and more as we walk the road of life.

I encourage you to read through the story of the prodigal son, think about your own faith journey, and then reflect on that as you listen to Selah's version of "Wonderful, Merciful Savior."  

Until next time...

+May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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