Month: April 2020

Soul direction

Soul Innovation

Noticing a slip into laziness and a lean toward unhealthy withdrawal, I did some self-examination and recognized the danger. I could float and be fine.  Is that what I wanted?

In some moments – YES.  But when I thought more deeply – NO.

How could I channel anxious, scattered energy toward an intention that innovates in this situation rather than just maintains or goes backward? Anxious thoughts can be a good springboard to creative thinking.

BE AWARE OF YOUR THOUGHTS

“…know my anxious thoughts” Psalm 139:23

I do believe there are times when maintaining is all we can muster!  I have certainly been there. But right now, I’m  called to more, to stepping up, out of comfort into a new normal.  So, I ask God to awaken me to the thoughts that are ruling me today.

                    INNOVATE YOUR SOUL

“Behold, I’m doing a new thing….”  Isaiah 43:19

God is always doing new things.  Are we joining Him?

I think of the “disciplined distinctiveness” of the Rechabites.  Who are they?

They were an Israelite family group that had taken on an identity due to a discipline their forefather had passed down to them.  They were so distinctive holding firmly to his ways.   It could have become a legalistic stance, but it became a wonderful call to “disciplined distinctiveness”, as Eugene Peterson called it in his book Run with the Horses. God was using the example of the Rechabites to call His people to deep and careful observation of His Word.

 “Will you not receive instruction by listening to My words?” Jeremiah 35:13

(like that family took instruction from their father?)

The particular discipline was not the point, rather the fact that they held strongly to something they had committed to.  Like when Daniel was so resolved to not eat defiled food.  It distinguished him.  It wasn’t merely the outward act but rather the inner resolve he was strengthened to uphold for God’s purposes.  It set him apart.

Where does your soul need innovation?

What new thing does God want to work in you?

What area of life comes to mind?

With all the talk of resilience in this unprecedented time, what priority in your life needs to be innovated for greater resilience?

TAKE A STEP

(This is where the difference is made:  In the time that you sit, settle, chase away distraction, write things down if you need to to clear your mind.  Then sit, incline your heart Godward and let Him speak.  He’s waiting.  Isaiah 30:18)

 

The step I’m taking is a mental tweaking, redirecting my level of engagement with others, to be more active and helpful rather than just getting by with a low relational attention.  This kind of step will take awareness and practice, but will expand my heart and my reach.

“…because of practice…their senses are trained to discern….”  Heb. 5:14

What soul practice is God prompting you to innovate?

Soul Awe

Soul Journey

Paskha (Passover) 

That’s what the Orthodox Church calls Easter on this side of the world since it is the event that links the first Jewish Passover where the lamb’s blood saved them from death

to Jesus our Passover Lamb whose blood saves us from death (1 Corinthians 5:7). (The term “Easter” is a carry-over from a pre-Christian spring festival that celebrated new life.)

So, in the spirit of seeing the journey from the Passover in Egypt to the battles and freedom of the promised land as a metaphor for our Christian life, I offer this “chant”.

 

 For sending the Lamb of God to keep us from the angel of death, we thank You.

 

For freeing us from enemy voices that drive and demean us, we thank You.

 

For providing for us and deepening our understanding of You in the wilderness of life, we thank You.

 

For Your jealousy for us and our children to live well in the land, we thank You.

 

For Your mercy and instruction when we turn away from You, we thank You.

 

For equipping us with Your might to fight battles within and without, we thank You.

 

For living among us and within us to take up our burdens, we thank You.

 

For opening a way and conquering through us the things that are giants in our lives, we thank You.

 

For wisdom, strength and love to live in Your ways among people of other ways, we thank You.

 

For discernment to walk through all things with You and not to dilute Your message, we thank You.

 

For letting our own sin’s consequences draw us back to Your wholeness, we thank You.

 

For forgiving us and taking away our shame, we thank You.

 

For conquering death and the power of fear, anger and worry, we thank You.

 

For the invitation to join You in our own transformation and that of others, we thank You.

 

For Your pursuit of us and the hope of full transformation at Your return, we thank You!

Soul Warning

Shaken Soul

“Just the time I feel that I’ve been caught in the mire of self; just the time I feel my mind’s been bought by worldly wealth, that’s when the breeze begins to blow; I know the Spirit’s call.
And all my worldly wanderings just melt into His love.” 

Steve Green

 

How poignant are the words and deeds of Jesus on the days between the accolades of Palm Sunday and the horrors of Good Friday.  And how necessary for us today!

 

The disciples would be dealing with utter disappointment, paradigm shifts, changes in plans and occupations, a new normal and a new purpose.  Sounds like some of what we’re dealing with today…

 

“Holy week” was Jesus’ last week on earth.  He was so purposeful, cultivating potent seeds of faith and hope that would spring to life in the chaotic days to come. But little of it made sense to any of His followers who were sure there was soon to be a grand political victory ahead that would “save” them.

 

However, Jesus brought about an entirely different kind of victory. One that would free us from focusing this life, only on this life. In these days of COVID-19 we’re all facing how to make decisions in uncertainty; how to keep safe and wise while being helpful to others; how to mourn the state of our world and our souls; and how to make the most of this strange time while wondering about the future.

 

Let’s listen to some of what Jesus said and watch some of what He did in His last days when most of us would have been in fight or flight mode, stammering in self-protection and fear.

Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead a few days before Palm Sunday. This caused a huge reaction among the religious leaders who were jealous of His power and His following. So, Jesus was heading to Jerusalem at a vulnerable time.  They were out to get Him. (John 11:48)

When jealousy, envy, and grasping for position take us over, what does it do to us?

 

What is our choice when we recognize sin in our hearts?

 

When someone poured out something very valuable for Jesus, Judas judged it as a waste. (John 12:4-8)

 

When others pour out their lives for Him, what is our response?

 

He spoke of different talents given to each one; how they invested, risked and used it to multiply or how they lost it.  (Matthew 25:15-18)

 

What has He given you?  What’s in your hand?

 

Jesus’ outrage in the temple. (Matthew 21:12,13)

Are you aware of, and attentive in God’s presence?

 

Warning to be ready for difficulty and false teaching. (Matthew 13:5,6)

 

Are you surprised by troubled times and falsehood?

 

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Where are you looking for peace?

 

It is ASTONISHING how much Jesus emphasizes LOVE and UNITY on the days before His death.  Those seem to be paramount on His heart before He dies.  For His followers He gave the example of doing the lowliest thing to show care. (John 13) His kind of love is not devoid of conviction or action, and yet values even enemies because they carry the image of God. He was concerned for their need for forgiveness, justice and freedom.

Jesus’ last prayer before He went to Gethsemane shows His deep concern for how His followers treated each other and for living in the Father’s joy.  (John 17)

 

What is our deep concern in our days of sorrow and hopelessness in this world?

 

Jesus was preparing His disciples for coming events in their lives.  The things He is bringing into your lives now will help prepare you for what’s ahead.  There is no greater grief than the crucifixion and no greater hope than the resurrection.

 

Take some time to consider –

 

What stands out to you in this weeks’ words and deeds of Jesus?

 

“You will be graced with the disaster your soul requires to find its way home.”

A Hell of Mercy, Tim Farrington