Responsibility in the Greater "We"

Consider the Lord’s prayer, when Jesus was giving the sermon on the mount, He explained how we are to pray. After advising the people to pray to the unseen Father in privacy and without babbling, Jesus exemplifies prayer in the following passage:

⁹ This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your name, 
¹⁰ your kingdom come, 
your will be done, 
   on earth as it is in heaven. 
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread. 
¹² And forgive us our debts, 
   as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one

Notice how the attention is not on “me”—the receivers of God’s reciprocation are identified as “us.” Furthermore, although the greater we is identified as the involved party, the focus is not on us at all, the focus is solely on God the Father.

This example prayer opens with recognizing and praising God. Then the focus moves to the Father’s will and praying in accordance with His will. Only then does Jesus move on to requesting the Father’s provision and forgiveness. Then the Lord prays for God’s leading apart from temptation and deliverance, which are also a part of God’s will for us.

This is how I wish to pray—with recognition, praise, repentance,

reverence, and request according to the Father’s will.

This thought has revolutionized the way I pray. I am more mindful to pray for the “we”—the group of people I am involved with, invested in, identified with.

Which raises another point; we are all associated with a greater group of others. We may not want to be, this may not be by choice, but none the less, we are associated and bare responsibility for these “others.” This group may be America, it may be our university, our workplace, or our home. I’m not saying we are bare the weight of the sins of those who are also a part of these identity groups, but we do bare responsibility. We are involved and invested, and therefore, we can do something about it, we are responsible.

When we pray, we should pray for “us.” Although I have never stolen a car or committed murder, I am associated with—identified with—those who have. And I am no better than those who have. Therefore, I pray that God would revive us and redeem us.

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

Deception is an interesting topic surrounding transmitting a false or misleading message. In my opinion, both lies of commission and omission are deceitful and wrong. I would like to say that “white lies” are moral, but I think we—as a society—have just conditioned ourselves to accept this logic. If people were honest –purely honest—then white lies wouldn’t be an issue. People who ask “Do these jeans make me looks fat?” shouldn’t ask unless they want a sincere answer.

I know from personal experience that I truly appreciate when others validate my feelings when I pose a concern about my appearance or performance. Also from personal experience, I know not to ask for someone’s opinion when I’m not prepared for the truth. Although this truth has proven painful at times, it has taught me to not seek approval or security from others, but rather, from the Lord.

Nothing Nice

If I don't have anything nice to say, I shouldn't say anything at all. Right? But I simply don't feel well.

I feel broken.

I had a burden weighing in on my slumber last night. I had prayed that God would awaken His spirit in me. I don't care if it takes me breaking to reach His presence. I'm desiring Him, but I don't want to move. I thirst for His Word, but I don't make time to sit and sip.

Apathy and I seem to have paired up.

This has happened before, and it will happen again. I know what I need.

God excites me, He stirs up His passions within me. I simply refuse. I want to bury myself in my bedding and hope for the courage to relieve this anchor of idleness.

I don't want to see anyone. People I usually adore, praise God for, and rejoice with, I want nothing to do with.

Leave me, oh burden, flee from me affliction.

Self-righteous, arrogant, pride-driven pillar of salt I have become.

You let me down.

You roll around thinking you'll be okay tomorrow. You twist and turn, pressing up against your shame, against your pride.

Your sad songs aren't cute anymore.

Your clever words will not liberate your crimes from the chamber of your clasp.

Watch it fade, dim your eyes and hope for more.

But you can't run from this one. Your reach is not long enough, feet swift enough, nor is your charm sly enough.

enough is enough.

Leave it alone now. Burst into His brilliance and dance in His showers of grace. You know it, you knew it before and you know it now.

Ashes into answers.

Embers into emeralds.

He is your portion, from everlasting to everlasting, and forevermore.

Finding Freedom

I want to get out of this boat and I know in my heart You'll keep my feet afloat on the surface of my fears. 

But my mind is at war with fear because the water has never seemed so deep, so mysterious, so cold. 

But you shine so bright you turn oceans into clouds at the breath of your lips. 

And then I realize, I am Yours!

Stop searching, start seeking.

Note to self:

Your life shouldn’t be about your life. Your life should be about the Lord. None of those things make you who you are. None of those things give you worth in any form. It saddens me to see you place value of measure on these things that are given, not found. Maybe if you stop chasing and start seeking, you will find. Or think of the door. You can’t knock on a door if you’re constantly chasing, or running. You must first have your feet planted. Ask, seek, knock. Stand firm in what value God has freely given you and knock on the door He has for you. It will be opened to you. This is what He promises. And as far as your plans not working out—good. I’m glad they didn’t happen if that’s what God didn’t want for you. I know this may sound harsh, but I say it with phileo love.

Why would God give you those things if you find your value in them instead of Him. Why would He replace Himself in your life. Maybe your placement and situation in life aren’t the things that need change.

Lord, steal me away.

Lord, steal me away. I'm missing the freedom of Your oceans, the captivation of Your breeze. I want to draw near to You, Spirit, take me up in arms with You. Your symphonies whisper grace into my breaths, and I'm still twirling in Your waves.

I am yours, and in your embrace, I will stay.

All my excuses, all my regrets, all my surrendered failures and tries. But i find me in the ascending inclination of Your spirit's clasp.

Pouncing on your tides, shedding all my pride, You are my maker and redeemer. Your symphonies whisper grace into my breaths, and I'm still twirling in your waves.

I want to dance in the raising of Your miraculous glory and the awe of Your splendor.

Lord, let Your splendor splash up on me. Let Your radiance marinate over this brilliance You've laid in my days.

I have been engulfed in the grandeur of Your majesty, the richness of Your salvation. But still, I'm twirling in Your magnificent waves, in Your magnificent waves, while your symphonies whisper grace into my every breath.

I'm in love with You, and in Your love, I will stay.

Stir up my heart once again my maker, kindle my passions, and awaken this ecstasy of Your splendor.

Steal me away, off my feet I will go.

Powerful Scripture

Proverbs 19:21 You can make your plans but only God's purpose will prevail.

For of the most High comes healing. -- Ecclesiastes 38:2

What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? -- Matthew 16:26

Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. -- Psalm 119:105

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. -- Proverbs 12:10

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, o Lord, and I will walk in your truth: give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Things turn out best for people who make the best of how things turn out. John Wooden

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. -- Ecclesiastes 11:7

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Cast your cares upon the Lord, for he cares about you. (I Peter 5:7)

In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. - Ecclesiastes 11:3

Study to be quiet. -- 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Deuteronomy 31:6 Do not be afraid...for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.

But his (Lots) wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. -- Genesis, 19:26

The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil. -- James 3:8

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. - 1 Peter 1:5

 Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you; do not be afraid for I am your God.

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, and I will tell of Your greatness. Psalm 145: 1-9 

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness

And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and merciful;

Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.

The LORD is good to all,

Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 91:2

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy! Psalm 126:5

And His mercies are over all His works.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Psalm 42:7