Good Morning! I am glad to be awake, as I had crazy funky nightmares last night--a girl chasing me around trying to choke me with a rope, and then a middle-aged insurance salesman guy who was stalking me as I played mini-golf with my sister. UGH.
The 8th chapter of Luke talks about crazy funky evil things, and how Jesus got rid of them in a rather decisive manner (and now that I'm living in the country, it seems like I should be able to find a herd of pigs somewhere close by...)
This whole good vs. evil thing was new to me when I first opened the Bible. Before then, I'd read and believed various spiritual teachings that claimed "Only the love is real." Which sounds nice...until you have a nightmare, or scream at someone you love without meaning to, or watch the evening news. Then all those movies about good guys vs. bad guys seem to be onto something important.
I was watching the video of AROUND THE SUN this morning because it helps me recalibrate to happy and hopeful. And I started thinking about how, when we ask God to change our lives, to take us someplace we can't get to on our own, we (okay, maybe just I) forget that there will be a JOURNEY involved from here to there. Chances are we won't just teleport. And journeys have rough spots: flat tires, creepy creatures in the road, tolls we're not sure we can pay. I should confess that I usually HATE the endless "it's a journey" language that tends to accompany spiritual talk, but sometimes, it's just TRUE...
My point? There will be nightmares, and obstacles, and crazy funky evil things that tempt us to think nothing will ever work out. But in this 40 Days, we're asking GOD to move us...because we can't do it on our own. So as part of that, we have to ask, "Jesus, can you help me here?" and stand back to see what happens. This is a partnership we've entered into, not a solo venture. There are benefits to partnership.
If you haven't clicked on the video link yet, go back and do so. Watch how, in the beginning of the song, Ryan walks over and adjusts the tuning on Cameron's guitar. It's a great picture of how teamwork can work when we're playing out of tune. Sometimes it's big and dramatic with pigs flying into the sea; other times it's a friend taking a small step our way to help us recalibrate. As some corporate guru once said, "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!"
Here's to sweet dreams this week :)
About Me
- Trish Ryan
- I'm the author of HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT: A MEMOIR OF FINDING FAITH, HOPE, AND HAPPILY EVER AFTER and A MAZE OF GRACE: A MEMOIR OF SECOND CHANCES (Hachette 2010)
11 comments:
I love that video as they try to win over the "too cool for school crowd." as you said they are fighting for the dream and I'd like to do the same.
Thanks for reminding me we are in partnership with Jesus. I'm seeing more and more these days, when I go into overwhelm, I've left the partnership.
Lst night at church, the guest speaker made a remark that had me thinking. This life isn't about God giving us gifts and money and talent and even time to maximize the moments that come. The point is that God gives us Himself more and more everyday and we have a duty to honor His Presence just because He is. We need to draw closer into this partnership, this relationship, and in so doing allow Him to deal with the bad and evil and ugly beneath the surface. In the end we look and sound just like Him. That's a journey worth taking, I think...
I wish I were better at staying in constant partnership instead of drifting in and out, in and out ... I can do it myself, no You take it, I can do it myself, no You take it ...
Probably need to spend more time in the face-down position ...
Hugs,
Stella
Sometimes I easily forget that it is a partnership. I think because I'm single, too often I have that mentality that I have to do it on my own because there is no one else but me to do it.
But, today I feel Jesus telling me I'm not alone and I never have been...
Heiress: I'm in the same boat ... I can so RELATE to your words ... it certainly can be a dilema. Your words spoke to my heart ... thank you!
Smiles,
Stella
To quote another song: "People, people who need people, are the luckiest people..."
LarramieG: So true.
Unfortunately, my theme song would be more along the lines of "Don't Rain on My Parade" ... as in "Don't tell me how to live, I won't listen to 'ya ... who says you're allowed to rain on my parrrraaaaaddde!!!!"
THAT's likely why I struggle with "face-down" position ... what is He going to do with such a willful child?!
Wink,
Stella
Had dinner with a dear friend last night who said she feels like she's waiting for her life to begin. I feel the same, and yet realize that it already has begun, we're already on the road, it's just difficult to see it sometimes.
so strange...i had nightmares last night too. i almost feel worse than i did two weeks ago. i feel lost and alone and so unworthy. i want to let God in to lead, but i seem to be acting in the opposite. i am not sure how to recalibrate. so much of life feels surface right now. i am definitely on a journey, and i am just praying it is one on which God has placed me and He is beside even when i am unsure of His presence in order to mold me into His likeness by a miracle and work only He can design.
I can so relate to the last couple postings. Day 6 and I was ready to throw in the towel already. Day 7 and 8 and I am asking God for His help because I can't do it on my own. The answer I need is too big for me to handle on my own. As I write this, I realize that I needed to go through the last couple days so God could get me to completely surrender as I go through this journey. That is how strong I want my faith to get - giving it to God trusting Him completely that He will work it out (not me). I want that faith in all aspects of my life.
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