Five Years

The first weekend of April five years ago, I really didn't have any idea what I was at the beginning of. I walked into a Set Free weekend with my church (called Encounter God then). 

I wasn't totally sure what to expect, or even why I was actually there. I just knew that without even really thinking about it, I had said yes to a text from the women's ministry leader at my church when she asked if I was planning to go. I had heard a bit about it, but I didn't really know exactly what it was about.

When I look back now, I can't really imagine what things would be like if I hadn't gone. I'm definitely glad I went. Because it's not just about the weekend. It's about tools for living life in relationship with God - for dealing with the stuff that happens.

Probably the biggest thing I can see when I look at what God has done in these five years is the amount of freedom in Christ I've found. For a long time, that was just a nice idea for me. I knew Scripture talked about it, but I had come to the point of thinking that it wasn't going to be reality for me. 

But, now I can say that it is something available to all of us. I've experienced in a way I never thought was possible. And I want to continue living that way and growing in that. As I've learned to deal with the stuff in life and to better hear God's voice when He speaks, I've been able to see a least a small glimpse of what the freedom in Christ talked about in Scripture is.

As another Set Free weekend approaches in a few days, I'm looking forward to it. To see what God has in store for all of us who are there (both attending and serving on the prayer team) this time.

Meeting Jesus in the Middle of Your Circumstances

There's something about John's account of the resurrection of Jesus that really draws my attention. John 20:11-18 records a conversation between Mary Magdalene and Jesus that had made me think.

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early in the morning and discovered Jesus was no longer there. She goes back to tell the disciples. Peter and John run to the tomb to investigate for themselves.

Then we pick up the conversation Mary had with Jesus in John 20:11-18.

As I read the conversation, I'm struck by the relationship I see between Jesus and Mary. Mary wasn't just a part of the crowd that wanted to see what Jesus would do next. She followed Him because she believed in Him. One where all it took was for Jesus to say her name to recognize Him.

She was "outside the tomb crying," (John 20:11) when Jesus came to her. She didn't recognize Jesus at first. But, the moment she heard Him speak her name it all became clear. She knew exactly who she was talking to.

I think this is often our story. Something has happened that has caused us grief, pain, sorrow. We're "outside the tomb crying." We're focused on what we've lost, or think we've lost. When Jesus makes Himself known in our situation, we don't recognize Him in it. W don't realize He's right there waiting to comfort and strengthen us.

When we finally list our eyes, we hear Jesus say our name and that's when everything changes. The circumstances we're in may not change, but when we realize we're not facing them alone, that does change things. When we realize Jesus is walking every step with us that changes everything.

What circumstances are you in that seem overwhelming?
Are you focused on them? Or are you seeing and hearing Jesus there with you?

Receiving from God in Honest Prayer

The week leading up to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday always brings me back to familiar passages of Scripture. Even in their familiarity there often seems to be something that I notice again - that challenges me.

I was reading in Luke 22:39-46, where Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was in anguish. Jesus' prayer in this passage was honest. He didn't shy away from expressing what He was really feeling.

I was struck by verse 43 as I read. It says:

"An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him."

I don't know if I've really paid attention to this verse before.

In the middle of His honest prayer, as Jesus was pouring out how He really felt to the Father, God sent an angel to comfort and strengthen Jesus. We can't know of that would have happened regardless. But, I think it's significant that it happened in the midst of His prayer.

It is when we cry out to God in our struggles that He meets us in that. And we experience His comfort and strengthening. When we admit our need, we're in a place of being open to that.

When we're busy acting like we have it all together, even if we don't, we're not in a position to receive anything from God. We likely don't even see the offer of it, because we're so busy maintaining our facade. But, if we're willing to admit and express our need to God, we get the privilege of experiencing His comfort and strengthening for what we're going through.

Are you honest with God in your prayers? 

Are you open to receiving comfort and strengthening from God for whatever you're facing?