Hope had a blog post today with another version of the song from the end of this post embedded in it. Her version had the story which goes with the song, which is also quite powerful. But really, it was the lyrics of this song from Hillsong that struck me deeply for so many reasons today... This is my prayer tonight.
This is my prayer in the desert when all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger and need
My God is a God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire, in weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me, Lord, through the flames
I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle, when triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life, in every season
You are still God, I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest, when favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
Sunday, June 07, 2009
In and Out
I spend a lot of time these days (especially on weekends) thinking about the value of Sabbath and rest. My body lets me know these days when it's time to come to a pause, and if I'm wise, I listen to it.
I stayed in bed a bit late this morning, then slowly got myself moving.
I did errands for a while. Mostly picking up some things for the office. And a stop at the natural food market - to buy vitamins again.
Then home, a bit of cleaning, lunch, and my body let me know that we were finished again. A nap was definitely in order.
Lots of time to think. I'm thinking particularly about family today. It's funny, because I don't really think about it when they're here, but with my parents overseas, I've missed them. The few short phone calls a week with mom. The quick stops at their house to pick up the mail or borrow/return this or that. The hugs that come with all those quick stops. Other familial things, holiday related mostly, have come up too, touching raw spots and causing my heart to cry out again for healing.
It's been an in and out sort of day. In and out of bed. In and out of the house. In and out of various moods.
And, I'm learning that a navel piercing is a different sort of animal, healing wise, than a facial piercing. A facial piercing is basically undisturbed. You don't really move your face around, so once you get past the initial stinging of the piercing, you can basically forget it's there as it heals. I'm surprised at how many of the basic movements of life tweak a navel piercing. Bending just so, twisting, getting in and out of the car. Basically if you move, you can feel it just a bit! Which, I suppose, is not such a bad thing if you've gotten a piercing to remind you you're alive...
I stayed in bed a bit late this morning, then slowly got myself moving.
I did errands for a while. Mostly picking up some things for the office. And a stop at the natural food market - to buy vitamins again.
Then home, a bit of cleaning, lunch, and my body let me know that we were finished again. A nap was definitely in order.
Lots of time to think. I'm thinking particularly about family today. It's funny, because I don't really think about it when they're here, but with my parents overseas, I've missed them. The few short phone calls a week with mom. The quick stops at their house to pick up the mail or borrow/return this or that. The hugs that come with all those quick stops. Other familial things, holiday related mostly, have come up too, touching raw spots and causing my heart to cry out again for healing.
It's been an in and out sort of day. In and out of bed. In and out of the house. In and out of various moods.
And, I'm learning that a navel piercing is a different sort of animal, healing wise, than a facial piercing. A facial piercing is basically undisturbed. You don't really move your face around, so once you get past the initial stinging of the piercing, you can basically forget it's there as it heals. I'm surprised at how many of the basic movements of life tweak a navel piercing. Bending just so, twisting, getting in and out of the car. Basically if you move, you can feel it just a bit! Which, I suppose, is not such a bad thing if you've gotten a piercing to remind you you're alive...
More from Henri
a few more challenging thoughts from Henri Nouwen...
Being Clothed in Christ
Being a believer means being clothed in Christ. Paul says: "Every one of you that has been baptised has been clothed in Christ" (Galatians 3:26) and "Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14). This being "clothed in Christ" is much more than wearing a cloak that covers our misery. It refers to a total transformation that allows us to say with Paul: "I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me" (Galatians 2:20).
Thus, we are the living Christ in the world. Jesus, who is God-made-flesh, continues to reveal himself in our own flesh. Indeed, true salvation is becoming Christ.
God's Breath Given to Us
Being the living Christ today means being filled with the same Spirit that filled Jesus. Jesus and his Father are breathing the same breath, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the intimate communion that makes Jesus and his Father one. Jesus says: "I am in the Father and the Father is in me" (John 14:10) and "The Father and I are one" (John 10:30). It is this unity that Jesus wants to give us. That is the gift of his Holy Spirit.
Living a spiritual life, therefore, means living in the same communion with the Father as Jesus did, and thus making God present in the world.
Being Clothed in Christ
Being a believer means being clothed in Christ. Paul says: "Every one of you that has been baptised has been clothed in Christ" (Galatians 3:26) and "Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14). This being "clothed in Christ" is much more than wearing a cloak that covers our misery. It refers to a total transformation that allows us to say with Paul: "I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me" (Galatians 2:20).
Thus, we are the living Christ in the world. Jesus, who is God-made-flesh, continues to reveal himself in our own flesh. Indeed, true salvation is becoming Christ.
God's Breath Given to Us
Being the living Christ today means being filled with the same Spirit that filled Jesus. Jesus and his Father are breathing the same breath, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the intimate communion that makes Jesus and his Father one. Jesus says: "I am in the Father and the Father is in me" (John 14:10) and "The Father and I are one" (John 10:30). It is this unity that Jesus wants to give us. That is the gift of his Holy Spirit.
Living a spiritual life, therefore, means living in the same communion with the Father as Jesus did, and thus making God present in the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
