A Few Good Reminders
I haven’t written a post in a few days. I don’t really have a good reason except that life has been crazy this past week. And on some days it’s been down right confusing. I’ve had that ‘pulled in a zillion directions’ feeling. I hate that feeling. This picture of the pin head Barbie? Yeah, that’s me.
In the midst of my crazy schedule I forced myself to write a post today if for no other reason than sheer guilt. And if I’m being absolutely honest with you I haven’t read my bible in just as many days. I started this blog to make my daily bible reading more disciplined so confession should be a part of that right?
When I cracked open my bible today to pick up where I left off I sort of laughed a little bit. John 17. How apropo! I love John 17. It’s easily one of my favorite passages of scripture. Jesus’ prayer in these verses is absolutely beautiful.
Given my current state of mind John 17 gave me three really good, much needed reminders. First and foremost: Pray. No matter how crazy things get I must remember to pray. To bring things, ALL of my things, before God. Jesus did – the Alpha and Omega, so why don’t I? (And for the record, I don’t do this as naturally as I’d like).
My second reminder from John 17 was that I need to prioritize myself. This entire passage of scripture is all Jesus’ prayer. And it’s a long one. In verses 1-5 Jesus prays for himself first. What a huge example for me! Sometimes I get pushed to the back of my own list. (I have my theories about why I do this but I’ll save those for another post!). It’s not that I pray for a bunch of nonsense but sometimes I put other people’s stuff before my own. God wants to hear from me about me. Always.
Finally, my third reminder was to pray for others no matter what. Even though I just said that I don’t always put my needs first in my prayer life, sometimes the pendulum swings in the other direction. When I am in crisis or have yucky things going on in my world, my prayer life tends to get really narrow and self centered. It becomes all about me. In this Chapter Jesus is going through the most intense crisis the world has ever seen. He’s about to be arrested and crucified! While he does pray for himself first, it’s nice for me to see that most of this prayer (v. 6-26) is all about other people. The past week has been me, me, me, me, me. My stresses, my worries, my hopes, my desires. Even though the past few days have been busy and stressful I still need to make room for others. It’s not all about me.
I often feel like my needs should come last when I pray. I feel like God has too many other people who have much greater and pressing needs than myself. Asking someone else to pray for me is extremely uncomfortable. I’ve always put others before myself in that respect. I’ll go to the back of the line, let others go in front of me, stay in my seat during an altar call, all because others are more important. I wonder how I got that way, and I wonder how I can come to the realization that God cares about my needs just as much as others. Oh, my head is aware of that, but my heart (and body) doesn’t always follow. These past few months in church I have gone to the altar, and it has felt so weird and uncomfortable, but at the same time good and refreshing. Friends have prayed over me, people I don’t even know have prayed over me, and I’ve truly felt God’s presence. I guess He’s doing a good work in me, even by giving me your blog today. Thanks Nicole. :)
Nothing on John 17, but I’d like to point out to everyone that today is our 9th wedding anniversary. That’s right, Nicole has put up with me for nine years! I am the luckiest man alive. Happy anniversary, Honey!!
Nichole,
I grew up with the same notions about praying for myself. It was like it was taboo, selfish or something prideful. The more I’ve read John 17, especially, and other examples of Christ the more I have realized that you are right. More importantly we need to start with ourselves because we need to get really honest with Him, have him search our hearts and create a clean heart before we jump into making request of Him. That revelation was a milestone in my life! I go through that tug of war of life too where everything is pulling me and as I fall asleep at night I realize I haven’t given any time to prayer or the word that day, maybe a few days. At that moment, or sometimes during a day that’s going that, way I will say “Lord I’m bailing on ya again”! “What am I doing trying to do all this without you”? It is amazing though how He will pursue me so faithfully in those times and I will still see undeniable evidence that He hasn’t ditched me the way I ditch Him. Ain’t God grand!
Also, I want to tell you that I have enjoyed your writing. I came on board when you did the article on Ted Bland. He was my youth minister 20yrs ago. I praise God for your insight and heart. Your words are very refreshing, honest and easy to relate to. Press on girl! You make it real. That’s how more of us “Christians” need to be if we’re really going to make a difference.
Correction…
Ted Bland is a wonderful man that attends my church. I slipped on the name thing. I meant Ted Haggard. Sorry. That old human error thing!