Affection

I Have A Surprise For You

/ Jana

You have read the words yourself. “Never will I leave you or forsake you.” The Old and New Testaments are full of these promises from our beautiful God. And yet, I wonder how we think about this Holy Presence? Is it begrudging? Is it out of duty? Is it out of fear of reprisal? Some cosmic shadow simply enduring the whole of humanity?

Oh wait, that sounds more like how we sometimes approach God rather than how He approaches us.

The life-giving Presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is full of delight, enjoyment, invitation. It is Their affection for us that draws us in to more of the Godhead. Think hide-and-seek. Think clues and breadcrumbs just waiting to be discovered by us. Think of Jesus’s face when we find one of His hidden treasures.

God started giving me hearts in 2010. It took me a little bit to catch on, but now, I see at least one every day. No matter the circumstance, the environment. Why? Because He is with me, He is with us. All the time. Forever. And His heart is bursting with affection and love for us to enjoy.

Ask Him for a heart (or whatever your thing is) and then keep a look out. He longs for us to experience His love.

Who Is Driving?

/ Jana / 4 Comments

You already know that the Lord is hilarious. And He speaks everywhere all the time.  Well my God story this week is from a bathroom in Hot Springs, North Carolina.

We were making a pit stop on the way to our WGR Leadership Retreat and I saw an open Bible on the bookshelf next to the potty.  So since I was just sitting there for a moment (ahem)  I looked over to see where it was opened.  Oh, surprise, surprise: Psalm 23, where most Bibles are marked in funeral homes and the like. But I sensed the Lord telling me to read Psalm 26 because I love that one.  I quickly realized it was in the King James Version, and this familiar verse took on a whole new kick.

“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” Psalm 26: 2

When was the last time you prayed that? How much do we give the Lord permission to examine and prove us?  I don’t know about you, but the term “try my reins and my heart” really grabbed my attention.  Reins are what you use to direct, to lead, to guide, to stop or correct. Reins are how you drive a horse, a carriage, a life.

“Try my reins.” See if I willingly hand them over to You. Are they supple in Your hands from firm, loving use?  Are they easy to hold from lots of hours of good following and obedience? Or are they stiff and unused?  Have I been running wild without reins or direction?

What about my heart?  Do I do the same for my heart? Willingly hand it over? Trust You to hold and lead? Is it soft and following, or hard and balking when You apply  tender pressure?  And honestly, what is the difference between my reins and my heart?

It is the difference between my will and my affection.  It is one thing to say you follow God. It is another to love Him. It is one thing to “obey” out of fear, and quite another to “go with Him” out of pure adoration. Both the reins (or will) and the heart are what God is after. Wholeheartedly His.

Examine me, Lord. Test how I am living life with You. Gauge how I am allowing my life to be led. By You or by my own selfish ways. You are the God of my will. You take the reins. And hold my heart, Lord. Keep it warm, safe and soft in Your mighty right hand.  Heal me and make me fully yours. Amen.