From the Woods to the Treadmill – God has Something to Say
My stay at Pacem in Terris started like most others. After checking in to my hermitage around 1:30 pm, I decided to go for a walk. It was a sunny afternoon though chilly at approximately 10 degrees. The path through the snow led into the woods and then out to an open meadow where a simple cross stands in focused reminder of the price paid for our salvation. Kneeling down, I grabbed hold of the cross and lingered for awhile feeling it’s reality. Continuing on the path, I wound up down at the lake where a chair sat on the end of the dock. I knew the Lord was inviting me to set and rest awhile.
While I rested a muskrat, (I think that’s what it was,) came scurrying out of the bushes and across the ice. He had a very interesting gate where he would run a few steps and then seemed to slide on his stomach. He repeated this rhythm for a few minutes until he was out of sight. I wondered if this was normal or if something had happened to him. It seemed a picture of my spiritual life, running a few steps then sliding on my stomach. After noting God’s handiwork, (and humor,) in the creation around me, I got up and slowly made my way back to my hermitage.
Since I had not been able to go running for the last week due to Christmas obligations and the bad weather, I had decided to look for an opportunity to do that here. I have had a couple of other occasions where I took a run as part of my Pacem in Terris experience. Since I had signed up for dinner at 5:30, (I always like to meet the staff and other guests,) I thought there was just time to go for a run. They have excellent indoor equipment at the lodge because the son of the founder was a marathoner. I grabbed my stuff and headed over there. I felt I could squeeze in 5 miles and not be late for dinner.
I got on the treadmill and after about 4 miles I said to the Lord, "I know this is strange but is there anything you want to say to me here?" (As opposed to out in the woods or in my hermitage.) God responded by saying, “Yes there is. Have you really paid attention to the body I have given you and thanked me for it? Your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, etc. are all my design and gifts to you.” So I took some time to thank him for my body. Then he said, “and what about your 5 senses?” So I thanked him for my senses, even the ones that are weakening a little now with age. Then he said, “and what about this 4 dimensional world you live in? I created you so you could live and function in this world. Your physical body was designed to live in this 4 dimensional world.”
Then God said to me, but you are more than your physical body and reality is more than the 4 dimensional world. Your prayers and our communication break through the limits of this world. I created you with a spirit that comes alive through the work of my Holy Spirit based on the gift of Christ. In addition, when you do acts of true agape love, (sacrificial love,) you transcend this 4 dimensional world. They make no sense in the 4 dimensional world but they make sense in the spiritual world because I am Spirit and I am love.”
Well this dialogue took place during the 5th mile in less than 10 minutes. I was running in the 4 dimensions but communicating in the spiritual dimension. I love coming to Pacem in Terris where I have heard from the Lord many times but this is the first time he spoke to me on the treadmill.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Fences
I read Psalm 139 in my devotions 2 weeks ago. I wanted to write something in my blog but I was too intimidated by all that is there. Today I read it again in my hermitage at Pacem in Terris. The Jerusalem Bible that lay open on the stand to Ps. 139, reminded me of some wording in the King James Version that I grew up with. In Verse 5 it says: “You fence me in , behind and in front….” (The NIV uses the phrase, “You hem me in….”)
I asked myself, "Why do people build fences?" I could think of a few obvious reasons. Some build fences between two properties to say, “what’s on this side of the fence belongs to me.” Some build fences to keep bad people or dangerous critters out of their property. Still others build fences to allow freedom of movement for children or pets within limits so they don’t wind up playing in the street or facing other dangers. (Check out the day care centers in your neighborhood.)
When I read this verse I see God saying to me, “you belong to me.” You’re on my side of the fence. I also hear him saying, “I want to protect you from evil people and forces that might come in to harm you.” I also hear him say, go out and live life safely. You have freedom to make decisions, inside the fence you are relatively safe, (though some bad things might still happen,) but you can’t get outside my love and care.
When God builds a fence for us it’s a good thing. We won’t always understand all of the limits and restrictions but in the end we will recognize his hand of protection and blessing. God's fences mean bring true freedom.
I asked myself, "Why do people build fences?" I could think of a few obvious reasons. Some build fences between two properties to say, “what’s on this side of the fence belongs to me.” Some build fences to keep bad people or dangerous critters out of their property. Still others build fences to allow freedom of movement for children or pets within limits so they don’t wind up playing in the street or facing other dangers. (Check out the day care centers in your neighborhood.)
When I read this verse I see God saying to me, “you belong to me.” You’re on my side of the fence. I also hear him saying, “I want to protect you from evil people and forces that might come in to harm you.” I also hear him say, go out and live life safely. You have freedom to make decisions, inside the fence you are relatively safe, (though some bad things might still happen,) but you can’t get outside my love and care.
When God builds a fence for us it’s a good thing. We won’t always understand all of the limits and restrictions but in the end we will recognize his hand of protection and blessing. God's fences mean bring true freedom.
Friday, December 11, 2009
What is God Like?
Psalm 130 contains two very interesting verses. “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, therefore you are feared.” NIV What could this passage mean? Doesn’t God know that I am a sinner? Is all history a blur to him since it is pretty much filled up with men and women sinning? No, the psalmist is saying something else about God.
Most people see God as the great sin “record keeper.” He is jotting each one down and he is going to make us pay for each one. I have had that thought many times myself. “Oh no, I sinned again, now I’m going to get sick or lose some money or have something terrible happen to me.” In hockey terms, I am headed for the penalty box. God’s going to get me back. Many have promoted the “fear of God” based on this idea.
But this passage says something quite different. It says that with God there is forgiveness. He knows when we sin but his purpose is not to punish us every time we screw up. God is a gracious God, desiring for us to come to him and receive forgiveness. That is why he is feared, (honored or respected, held in awe.) He is feared not because he is mean but because he is loving.
Because God is loving and forgiving, the psalmist is anxious to come before him. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Nothing will improve our desire to come to God more than getting a right perspective on who he is. The psalmist has helped us do this. Sometimes God does need to discipline us to keep us from destructive behaviors. But his loving purpose is to draw us to himself. He is not the sin record keeper but the sin forgiver and that makes all the difference.
Most people see God as the great sin “record keeper.” He is jotting each one down and he is going to make us pay for each one. I have had that thought many times myself. “Oh no, I sinned again, now I’m going to get sick or lose some money or have something terrible happen to me.” In hockey terms, I am headed for the penalty box. God’s going to get me back. Many have promoted the “fear of God” based on this idea.
But this passage says something quite different. It says that with God there is forgiveness. He knows when we sin but his purpose is not to punish us every time we screw up. God is a gracious God, desiring for us to come to him and receive forgiveness. That is why he is feared, (honored or respected, held in awe.) He is feared not because he is mean but because he is loving.
Because God is loving and forgiving, the psalmist is anxious to come before him. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Nothing will improve our desire to come to God more than getting a right perspective on who he is. The psalmist has helped us do this. Sometimes God does need to discipline us to keep us from destructive behaviors. But his loving purpose is to draw us to himself. He is not the sin record keeper but the sin forgiver and that makes all the difference.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
"Coming in God's Name"
Psalm 118
So many Psalms start out with the admonition to give thanks. “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever.” This thought is so important to our understanding of who God is and how we view ourselves in a fallen world. The psalmist doesn’t pretend that everything around him is good or that only people who have an easy life have a good God. On the contrary, he is pressured and attacked on many sides. In his “anguish,” he cries out to God and he takes “refuge,” in him. The Lord is his “strength,” for the battles of the day, his “salvation.”
The psalmist also recognizes God’s hand of chastening, (vs. 18,) as coming from a good God that loves him. In verse 19 he says, “Open for me the gates or righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.” Giving thanks, even for God’s hand of discipline, affirms our willingness to accept his reign and rule over us and our desire to live righteous lives that honor him.
As we get up each morning, what are the circumstances we face? Are there tough decisions, struggles and hurtful people in our path? The psalmist reminds us, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Then he says, “O Lord save us; O Lord grant us success.” This is the way to start each day, thankful to God no matter what our circumstances, knowing he can save us, trusting in his strength and believing in his ultimate goodness. Verse 26 says, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord….” Yes this is a prophetic verse referring to the coming of Jesus but it also points out that when we live in this way we also “come in the name of the Lord.” We are his presence in a fallen and broken world. Lord, be present in me today, so that no matter what the circumstances, people see you through me.
So many Psalms start out with the admonition to give thanks. “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever.” This thought is so important to our understanding of who God is and how we view ourselves in a fallen world. The psalmist doesn’t pretend that everything around him is good or that only people who have an easy life have a good God. On the contrary, he is pressured and attacked on many sides. In his “anguish,” he cries out to God and he takes “refuge,” in him. The Lord is his “strength,” for the battles of the day, his “salvation.”
The psalmist also recognizes God’s hand of chastening, (vs. 18,) as coming from a good God that loves him. In verse 19 he says, “Open for me the gates or righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.” Giving thanks, even for God’s hand of discipline, affirms our willingness to accept his reign and rule over us and our desire to live righteous lives that honor him.
As we get up each morning, what are the circumstances we face? Are there tough decisions, struggles and hurtful people in our path? The psalmist reminds us, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Then he says, “O Lord save us; O Lord grant us success.” This is the way to start each day, thankful to God no matter what our circumstances, knowing he can save us, trusting in his strength and believing in his ultimate goodness. Verse 26 says, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord….” Yes this is a prophetic verse referring to the coming of Jesus but it also points out that when we live in this way we also “come in the name of the Lord.” We are his presence in a fallen and broken world. Lord, be present in me today, so that no matter what the circumstances, people see you through me.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
