alive to God

“What is required is a constant aliveness to God—an aliveness present when you talk, read, watch, or examine something.” ~St. Theophan the Recluse

Advent is here, and once again we have a beautiful invitation from God to enter into the watching and waiting of the season as we prepare for his coming.  But just how do we “prepare the way” (Isaiah 40:3) for the coming of the King into our everyday lives during this season?  

One way is by paying attention, which is a lot harder than it sounds.  A vital attentiveness to God’s movement and God’s presence is required.  An aliveness to God, and to his Spirit, must be nurtured and nourished within us.  This aliveness is nurtured by prayer and nourished by love.  So let us be diligent in the days ahead to make relentless time and space to pray and to love. 

paths of righteousness

There’s a line in Psalm 23 that hunts me down every time I read it.  And while I would love for it to be about God making me lie down in green pastures and leading me beside still waters and restoring my soul, that’s not the verse that haunts me.  It’s the one right after that: “He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” 

Now, I’m not exactly sure what these paths of righteous look like, but they certainly don’t sound easy and comfortable.  They don’t sound like paths that allow me to coast; they actually sound like the exact opposite.  They sound difficult and challenging and exacting.  They sound like paths that are going to require a great deal from me.  They will most likely require all that I have and all that I am.  I suppose that’s why Jesus said that “the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life.” (Matthew 7:14)

But even though they do not sound like easy paths, they do sound like right paths.  They sound like the kind of paths that will make me more and more into the man God desires me to be.

My New Advent Book is out!

If you're looking for a companion for the journey through Advent this year (for yourself, your team, your church, your staff, your small group, etc.), maybe Order My Steps is for you.  It is the first in a series of devotionals I am working on that will lead through the church liturgical year.  If you're interested just click HERE .

cease striving

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, NASB)

“Stop.  Just stop.  Stop trying desperately to prove you are worth loving and just let yourself be loved.  Let me love you.  Let me cradle you in my embrace and let me whisper words of delight and affection in your ear.  You are so busy, so full of striving.  Just be still for a moment and know that I am God.”

one thing

luke 10:42

how can you say

that I am your one thing

when you spend all of

your time and energy

pursuing something else

that step

mt. 14:29

oh that step

that first step

away from comfort and familiarity

away from safety and security

letting go of what is seen and known

and stepping out into the great unknown

where all we have to hold onto
is a voice calling out to us

inviting us into the deep

to a new level of intimacy and trust

always calling us beyond where we are

and where we have been

into something new and beautiful and alive

but it always starts with that step

that wonderfully awful step

both into and away from

that step down and out of the boat

give us the courage

and the strength

and the grace

to take it

so that we might

leave the old behind

and be taken hold of

by you in a new way

hurled

“You hurled me into the deep” (Jonah 2:3) not to harm me, but to deepen me, and awaken me to your presence, your will, and your direction.  You hurled me into the deep in order to change me into the person you dreamt me to be, to restore the Divine Image in me.  If we are not changed by these moments of chaos and crisis, then what are they for?

Thus, this hurling was not malicious and hurtful, but intentional and redemptive.  It was a severe mercy, a tragic tenderness, and an exacting kindness.  So, thank you.  Even though it was incredibly difficult to go through, you accomplished something good and beautiful in me as a result.