God Is In The Room

I’ve been hearing a song recently that is so powerful, I stop what I am doing to become engaged in the lyrics, as well as, the tune.  “Holy Spirit, Come In This Place,” is a song that touches the very core of my being.  I want to feel the Holy Spirit guiding me in every single move I make.  The idea of “Holy Ghost bumps” --- and yes, I have completely experienced that! – is thrilling, and puts me in an indescribably wonderful “state.”  So, when a friend of mine shared an experience recently, it caused me to reflect on how great our God is. 

He shared the story about how it had been necessary to take his mother to the hospital and that she ended up needing surgery.  For the next week and a half, she lived on the ventilator, was lethargic and slipping away, totally unresponsive.  To everyone’s surprise, she awoke and had the ability to share precious moments with my friend and his siblings.

            The family, strong in their faith, were able to tell her how much they loved her, and encourage their mother to take the hand of Jesus and let go of this life.  They could feel the Holy Spirit in that room.  They felt the power of 10,000 angels taking their momma home, to be crowned at Jesus feet. They rejoiced, as an amazing God allowed them this special time.

            I was struck by the power of his story.  He didn’t doubt God was real and completely knew one day, when his mother left this life, he’d see her again.  During her illness, however, I wonder if he believed he would ever have the chance to say one more time, “Momma we (I) love you!”

            I am reminded of Peter who knew Jesus was the Messiah.  When Jesus was walking on the water, near the boat Peter was on, for just a moment, albeit, an impulsive one, Peter asked to step out on the water, as the raging water splashed against the boat ….and Jesus permitted the event.  Until, of course, Peter looked down, saw the waves, and immediately began sinking.  As quickly as that happened, however, Peter’s eyes again rose to Christ, and Jesus reached out and kept Peter from sinking.

            Jesus has the power to sustain us in all circumstances when we keep our focus on Him.  When we reach out to Him, no matter how we are suffering, or what challenge is before us, we can have the assurance God is real, powerful, and wants to build us up by growing our faith.

            It’s easy, as humans, however, to doubt things won’t turn out right. There are trials and tests, and even as my friend found, a time when saying a “real goodbye” would likely not be possible.   We often reach out with solid faith, and then when a wave hits our ankles, we cringe and cower, certain we are going to sink, or worse, even drown.  But when we refocus, we can feel the Holy Spirit lift us where we need to be. 

            My friend experienced the Holy Spirit much like Peter.  He knew without a doubt, God was in the room, and that moment would be cherished forever.  He and his siblings were able to feel the Holy Spirit, and encourage their mother to reach for the God they knew would take her home. 

            When is the last time you asked, with all your heart, “Holy Spirit come in this place?”  What an amazing experience when we open our hearts and spirits to Him.

Today Is Here And Now

I was struck with the phrase, “today is here and now,” recently. While that sounds a little simplistic and obvious, I can't help but think of the recent events that have changed lives forever. There have been fires ravaging the Western states of Montana, Wyoming, California, Oregon and Washington.  

A deadly heat wave is occurring in Italy, France, Switzerland and other countries, while deadly monsoons are wreaking havoc across India, Pakistan and more. Hurricane Harvey, down in Texas created catastrophic destruction with enormous flooding, followed by Hurricane Irma in Florida, while Hurricanes Lee and Maria hover on the outskirts. 

As I watched the storms days before they hit land, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.  It was probably justified, given their strength, even though our particular family wasn't directly affected.  Since the storms, there has been comments on both sides of the board.  Some share horror stories of losing everything they had, including loved ones.  Others recite miracles, because not only was their home spared, but lives, as well.

As my anxiety from the storms rose, as they neared land, I was reminded that regardless of my emotions, there was not a single thing I could do about it!  I had to leave the results in a Power much higher and greater than mine.  That might sound trite to the family who lost everything, yet, that's truth.

Granted those in the direct path of the storms were encouraged to evacuate and if they didn't heed the warning, placed themselves and their families at risk. That's not to say, even fleeing would guarantee safety, because not one of us is promised a single breath past our last one.

Still, the point is, we have to live for today--- like it could be our last one.   This is now...this is the moment we must focus on, put our trust in an all knowing God, and move forward.  Worrying about tomorrow and over things we have no control, is futile and will always fail us.

We can hold onto our memories and even have dreams and goals to work toward.  But we do not own those moments.  When we rely on our memories, regardless how cherished, to move forward, we will find we are destroying the progress of today.  This is our moment---our gift, if you will.  This is now, our current center, and the place we must choose to move from, ---forward – if we plan on living life to the fullest, and in the way God intended.

When we can believe in God's grace, knowing he wants only the best for us....especially when life's trials seem more than we can deal with, we will experience peace beyond understanding---even when we are experiencing trials or grieving.

So I encourage you to reach way down within you.  Dig out the remains of your faith, and be thankful for wherever you are and whatever blessings you can can see--- and perhaps, even in your sadness, those blessings that seem to be alluding you.  God is all around, and often more so when we are at our worst.  He wants us to call out to him in our distress. 

Will our broken world see an immediate fix? Likely no; but with a positive attitude and new found faith, we can change our moments, so "now" is manageable, regardless the situation.

Nothing New Under The Sun

          

         I saw a post some time ago that listed things that were wrong in this person’s world…. She was ill, came from a broken family, splintered marriage, was lied to, searched by police, lost her home, dealt with depression and bipolar disease and on and on and on!

            It struck me that this person seemed to be smothering in a serious case of self-pity.  I’ve seen others in this same place and I’ll admit when a person is facing so much adversity in their world, surely they must believe no one else can possibly understand their feelings.  What’s interesting, however, is that each of us have been dealt a life of adversity, albeit on different levels.  It’s largely how we handle our misfortunes that really makes a difference.

            Hurricane Harvey hammered Texas this last week and those folks are reeling from their losses.  Surely they have reason to be immersed in self-pity.  What an awful situation, that will take weeks or even months or years to work through.  Some even lost family members.  Restoration will be horribly slow, painful, costly and depressing!

            When reading Ecclesiastes, it’s interesting to note that ultimately the writer realizes there is “nothing new under the sun.”  All of our situations are of this world and therefore, viewed from our perspective in this realm.  When going through hard times, it’s excessively difficult to see beyond the situation we are in.

            Scripture encourages us to look beyond the complexities of our life in this world.  We are supposed to focus on the world that will come.  When we can look beyond this world, we are turning our eyes on God, rather than on ourselves.  Our “situations” while unpleasant, can be used to draw us closer to Christ, teach us lessons we can’t learn any other way, or become a tool to make our faith stronger.

            Along with diligent prayer and communion with the Father, there are things we can do to “better our situation.” Sometimes it requires removing those things in our lives we know are bad for us, while working hard for what we want most in life.  We need to be thankful for what we have and attempt to enjoy where we are currently.  It’s important to learn something new every day and embrace the challenges life hands us with a positive attitude; and lastly, we need to remember to like ourselves first, because when we don’t like (or love) ourselves, then no one else can either!

            There is a long list of other things we can implement in our lives that will promote positive outcomes, but sometimes it’s hard to see when we are “down,” not unlike the writer of Ecclesiastes.  Life is challenging and sometimes downright hard.  But God’s grace is good.  When we can step back from the problems, make wise choices based on what we’ve gleaned from God’s Word, other Believers and God, Himself, during our prayer time, we have put in place the scenario of healing and productivity. 

            I encourage you to re-evaluate anything you are going through today.  Know there is likely someone else whose situation is much worse than yours or mine.  Negativity feeds on itself, and darkens perspective.  Look for what God is teaching, and remember He knows all….  And there is nothing new under the sun!