I had a fun time last week. Nearly 1900 miles and 24 hours in a car – it was A-mazing. And I’m only half sarcastic when I say that. Nah, the best part was during my forth 6 hour drive in a row. I was heading north to Michigan. I’ve gotten used to this drive so it happens kinda quickly for me. After my 14th CD I popped in during the week I really wanted to talk to God. I had been thinking all week but there’s a big difference between thinking about things and talking about them with God. So just as in Romans 8 it says ”
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will” – so I was praying. It became so intense and exciting for me that my face hurt from smiling.
Most of the prayers were for my co-workers this summer. And it was a beautiful feeling to see most of those people this weekend and actually see some of my prayers as a reality. Pretty much the direction the Spirit had led me in prayer for was already being seen. That was cool. Then yesterday morning, chillin’ at breakfast during the last weekend at camp, had my Bible opened and was asked ‘Whatcha reading?’ My selfish answer: God’s kinda showing me direction in other people’s life and I want some direction for me! (So, I think it kinda sounded like that) Anyways – I was led to Psalm 23. Dude! Everyone should know Psalm 23. You may be familiar with it but every believer needs to have this on their heart, it’s only 6 verses. My God is so sweetly faithful and allowed me to know more of His heart and character through this. Instead of seeking His direction I needed to simply be seeking Him.
The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need.
Already it tells my who He is: my Shepard. That means I am the dependent, dirty, and dumb sheep. He leads by His voice…He leads! Isn’t that what I initially was looking for yesterday morning? Plus in Him I have everything I need, why am I looking for something else to satisfy?
He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.
When He leads I should be content. He has my best interest at heart.
He renews my strengths. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.
O how I need His strength for I can’t do it alone. And here again He says He guides me – yet it is all to bring honor to His name. Sometimes it takes me longer to understand that and follow through in something that’s not for me.
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and confort me.
Yes, even then! I can praise You and be happy when things are great, but even when I’m in the darkness and hiding behide fear seems tempting I don’t have to be afraid – You are close, You protect and comfort me. Lord, You have so many promises – I want to take advantage of those promises and cling to them.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anoitning my head with oil. My cup overflow with blessings.
I had to read a bit for this. In ancient Near Eastern culture, at a banquet it was customary to anoint a person with oil. And the hosts were also expected to protect the guests. Dwell with God and He protects and offers blessings.
Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
This was the sweetest verse to hit my heart. As a single chick waiting for someone to pursue me I already know the One who pursues me with His love…all the days of my life! Yours too! During my prayer time I was talking about earlier it led to me desperately asking the Lord for His love to happen through me in many ways towards the people I’ll be working with. I’ve never felt myself to be that open to allowing God’s love to go through me to love others in such a way before.
That’s it for now. I think I’ll continue with the prayers He leads me to for others. I’m sure other peoples prayers for me are coming too – and that’s why prayer is so important in the Body.
