A friend and I were conversing over the messaging app on our phones the other day.  My friend had asked me what all work I had to do here at home as it is spring/ summer and that is when things get busy.  My friend wanted to help.  I explained that I had already lined up aid and that I appreciated the offer but that there was also nothing so important that it couldn’t wait until it’s time had come.  I love my friends and family and their help is often one of the things that keeps me going.

What I want to talk about today though is what happened after that conversation.  I was laying down in my room at the time of the conversation and at its conclusion I rolled over and prayed.  I reached out to the Father in a quiet place with no distractions to make a connection with the One who knows.  I prayed for a good while thanking Him for my friends and family.  Asking for guidance and His plans.  Working with Him and for Him to just design the next bits of time.  Often in prayer when I have that connection to Him I imagine us chuckling at the fact that no plan ever survives first contact and then we make alternate plans.  We discuss what is, what has been, and sometimes what will be.  We discuss home and abroad.  We discuss Earth and the Universe.  We discuss me.  We discuss Him.  We discuss me and Him as well as Him and others.  Also at times just others.  We discuss hurts, triumphs, pains and blessings.  Connecting on a level that 20+ years ago I couldn’t imagine was possible.  I need that connection.  Can I move from day to day without it.  Maybe, as one minute moves to the next.  But what I can’t do without it is…

Live!

Mark 1:35 CSB
[35] Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.

How important this time is, isn’t measurable in terms I can write.  I can’t stress enough how making the connection with God in this way will change your life.  We so often just throw up prayers as if we are just hoping that somehow, someone or something will effect positive changes.  Don’t hear what I’m not saying.  I’m not saying that we don’t love Jesus.  I’m saying that sometimes we treat Him like a tool or a party trick. 

Father, please get me out of this mess I’m in.

Father, help that person or situation.

Father, I need, I want.

There is nothing wrong with those prayers.  Unless we phrase the like questions or neglect to make the connection to One who can effect change.  How often do we follow up on those kinds of prayers?  How often do we forget we prayed them?  How often do we say I’ll pray for you or about that and then simply… don’t.

Matthew 6:5-8 CSB
[5] “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. [6] But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. [7] When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. [8] Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.

Vs. 6 Private room, Pray to your Father.

He’s the One who knows everything about everything.  He’s the One who knows you better than you do.  He’s the One who came from Heaven to Earth so that He could feel your pain, your triumph, your sorrow, your gladness.  He’s the One who came from Heaven to Earth to cry with you and to laugh with you as well.  He’s the One who came from Heaven to Earth to die for you paying the penalty of death for your sins against God, against Him, so that you wouldn’t be sentenced to Hell.

Romans 6:23 CSB
[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He’s the One who rose again on the 3rd day defeating death so that you could…

Live!

He desires that connection. He deserves that connection.  You need that connection.  Please go find your quiet place.

Love in Christ,

Colby