At the moment, this blog seems to be an almost “stream of consciousness” kind of thing.  I’m not sure that I’ve found my “voice” yet, in that I’ve written about a variety of things that are not necessarily related.  At some point in time, a theme may develop.  Then again, maybe not.  I do know that it’s a grand place for me to share whatever may happen to be on my mind.  Hopefully, you’ll find it interesting enough to come back for more.

Today’s topic has to do with thoughts that were running through my head before leaving for church.  And how those thoughts showed up in the guest speaker’s sermon.  I remember when I was a kid, I heard someone use the phrase “you’ve been reading my mail” in reference to a sermon that was spot on for the situation they were going through personally.  That’s how today’s sermon was — I have only heard Ed Bess preach two or three times in the almost three years that we’ve been attending our church, and it amazed me how closely his message followed the thoughts I’d been pondering before I’d even taken my seat in the sanctuary.

Before the praise & worship part of our service had ended, I’d written the following in a little notebook I brought “just in case”:

Even if He never did anything else for us, what He has done is enough.  But He blesses us over and above, in His time.

I’d been thinking about how so often my prayers are focused on “God, please do this for me.  God, please help me.  God, I need…”  Me. Me. Me.  Oh, sometimes my prayers are for others, too, but the recurring theme is one of want…  I struggled to remember the last time I simply prayed, “Thank you, God, for all you have done already.”   Namely, sending His Son to save me from my sin.  It made me feel petty and small to be so centered on what more I could ask of Him, rather than being grateful for what He has already done.

So when Ed said, “Don’t make your prayers “drive thru” prayers, where all you’re doing is asking for stuff,” it hit me square between the eyes, because while I’m not one of those “name it, claim it” folk, I have been pretty “needy” of late.  Thinking more of my immediate situation, than the needs of others around me.  One of Ed’s comments really rang true:

Prayer is COMMUNICATION, and communication is TWO-WAY.  

Sometimes we need to stop talking to God and LISTEN to Him.  We’re so busy asking Him to fix our problems, we don’t hear the part where He tells us what we need to do for that to happen.  I want to HEAR His voice in my spirit, guiding me to live in a way that honors Him.

He is enough for me.

Who is like You Lord in all the earth?
Matchless love and beauty, endless worth
Nothing in this world can satisfy
‘Cause Jesus You’re the cup that won’t run dry

Your presence is heaven to me
Your presence is heaven to me

Treasure of my heart and of my soul
In my weakness you are merciful
Redeemer of my past and present wrongs
Holder of my future days to come

Your presence is heaven to me
Your presence is heaven to me

All my days on earth I will await
The moment that I see You face to face
Nothing in this world can satisfy
‘Cause Jesus You’re the cup that won’t run dry

Your presence is heaven to me
Your presence is heaven to me

Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus
Your presence is heaven to me
Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus
Your presence is heaven to me

by Israel