5/16/2025
"The whole meaning of prayer
is that we may know our God."
Oswald Chambers
The day breezed by, and tomorrow is breathing down my neck. As usual, I'm having a late night, trying to gather my thoughts, make sense of my notes, but the day has been somewhat of a blur. Quiet time before my short, morning devotional with Pastor Jack was abruptly interrupted by the lateness of the hour. I somehow slept through my early morning wake up call. for the second time this week. I imagine these late night sojourns might be the culprit. I do remember sitting here at this very spot last night, running my fingers threw my hair, leaning my face on my hands, deep in thought, but so lost in it that I could not form one lucid phrase. I kept looking at my half-finished blog, shaking my head, because I couldn't make heads nor tails of anything I had written. I'd look at the page, read it without seeing or understanding what I had read, as if the page was blank. When I was able to gather my thoughts, I didn't change any of the former words, so hopefully it makes sense to the reader. It's not writer's block, although I've been there, but it just that I go so deeply within myself that I cannot find the words. All the thoughts welling up inside of me, and I shut down. Is that imploding? It's not violent by any means, it's more irrevocable silence, if that makes sense. My son kindly reminded me this morning that I'd had two such episodes this week. He asked me what was up, as I am not ordinarily that hay-wire. The events were quite different both times, but I have been more contemplative, and a bit troubled over some situations this week. It's as if I have angered the demonic hoard which is now trying to distract, belittle, or otherwise discourage me, but I am stubborn to boot, and my heart is steadfast.
I'm listening to Jesus Image Worship, and their joy resounds into resplendent worship and praise, but more. An excitement, an anticipation fills the room, and the dancing and invitation transfer across the airways to meet listeners, like me. The songs welcome in the presence of Holy Spirit and invite participation. Many times I surrender to it all and dance in poised graceful worship. "You alone are Holy, You alone are worthy.... You deserve the glory; Jesus, You alone." I forget about everything else and become lost in worship to my King. The enemy attempts to distract me with the cat, demanding her evening treat before surrendering to sleep for the night. My foot begins to itch, but I won't give in. "The King is in the room."
How can I share what I am sensing deep within myself, this closeness, this matchless love. "My Beloved is mine, and I am His" (Song of Solomon 2:1). How I yearn to share it with everyone seeking change in their lives, with those who think they have everything, who think their love is pure, but who do not follow God's laws. There's so little time, Abba, how do I relate the glorious truth of Your love to those who think they see, but see not?! Lord, be tangible in their lives. Manifest Your presence. Bring holy fire and holy fear.
When the Lord asked me to write "the story" I began at the beginning of my life when I was first aware of God's hand on me, but then I realized that "my story" is "God's story" from before the time He knit me together in my mother's womb, as Psalm 139 stunningly describes - how He knew each of us before time even began, and how He carefully formed each of us, uniquely with His purpose in mind. All of us have the same purpose to bring glory to His Name, but He has called us to so much more, and the scriptures hold the truth of it all. To so many, sadly, professing believers included, it is a boring story of the rules and regulations, "thou shall and thou shall not," but once your eyes behold the wonder, you will begin to see there lies within the mystery of God the beautiful redemptive story contained within every page. You see with clearer understanding, and the stories become an integral part of your being. Granted, it takes time, but once you know Jesus, the scriptures reflect our lives and struggles, and we see the victories we have in Christ, and those He will bring in the future.
Perhaps, I'm rambling, but it all makes sense to me. Let me see if I can tie anything together. The book of Philippians was written by Paul as he languishes in a Roman prison, yet this epistle is written from the heart of a man who has great joy and a heart of gratitude, as he seeks to encourage the church at Phillipi. This is a different letter, as he was not displeased with the church, so he was not exhorting the saints to change their behavior. Paul always opens his epistles with similar words: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." I'd love to receive a letter like that, and I assume most people would. The problem is that so few still write pen and ink letters. I still love to send cards and letters, and I have one friend in New Mexico who enjoys the lost art as well. And it is an art. It is so hard to find boxed stationary, at least I haven't been able to find any yet, but then I haven't been scouting for nifty findings since I went to Carytown and Shockoe Strip, now known as Shockoe Bottom, much changed since I lived here almost 40 years ago.
Paul continues the opening of his letter with thankfulness and prayer, common to his writings also. Our scripture comes from Philippians 1:9, but I will extend to verse 11 as I love contextual readings:
"And this I pray, that your love may abound
still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
that you may approve the things that are excellent,
that you may be sincere and without offense
till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of
righteousness which are by Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God."
Paul's prayer is the hope that the believers will gain more depth of understanding and discernment in the things that really matter, the highest and best. The Amplified Bible interprets verse 10 as: "So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value - recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences; and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless, that - with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied - you may [approach] the day of Christ, not stumbling nor causing others to stumble."
In Chapter 4, as Paul closes out his letter, some of my favorite scriptures are found, because they deliver the message of peace, love and hope, even in the most dire circumstances in our lives:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men.
The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God, and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things
are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are
pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a
good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy - meditate on these things."
Philippians 4:4-8
I memorized these scriptures early in life, and they have kept me in some pretty dire times. Jesus never fails, and we are not promised a tomorrow in the earthly sense of things. But if we walk with Him, following His ways, growing in His grace, then tomorrow will bring a day of no regrets and one unladen with a load of care. Tomorrow promises eternal joy and peace and a life unimaginable, full of joy unspeakable and full of glory!
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