Retreat into Solitude

How many times have I internalized the phrase, "get over yourself?" I never realized before preparing for this sermon series, but every waking moment is filled. I never wait for someone without having something to do. If I am stuck in a doctor's office or even at the hairdressers, I never simply sit and wait. I wouldn't consider looking into space and waiting my turn. No, at the very least I will whip out my phone and open my Kindle app and read my book.

Is this selfish behavior? At first glance it appears to be a good use of spare time. Reading is good. I always make sure when I leave for an appointment or even a lunch engagement, I am prepared to fill any extra time I have if the person I am meeting is running late. I usually have a journal with me to jot a note or record an idea for my next blog post or story idea.

Last fall I lead a women's retreat on the Spiritual Discipline of Solitude. Solitude is a word we don't often consider in these fast moving times. But when we practice this Spiritual Discipline, we are blessed as we draw closer to God and learn how to listen to His words of love and guidance.

If you are like me, it seems a waste to not be doing something - all the time. I have wondered over the past few months, just how healthy it is to be constantly on the move. I know I have an obsessive personality so I must be very deliberate to avoid fanatical behavior. Sometimes that just means I need to learn how to 'go with the flow'; not try to be in control of everything around me. In other words, relax and let go, and let God.

As Rick Warren wrote in his book, A Purpose Driven Life; "It's not all about you." Wise words.


James 5:13-16

John 17: 18-23

Jesus Prayed and So Must We

John 17 is quoted in the book, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Chapter 36 begins: Made for a Mission

“In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” These are the words of Jesus as he prayed to the Father. He prayed for all believers, and for those who will believe in him through their message. May God guide us all to be His messengers and bless the words that come from our lips, that they may always gently speak "His Truth." 

Our mission involves a multitude of responsibilities and challenges. This week let’s talk about  something more important than we may realize; THE POWER OF PRAYER. Rick Warren went on to say that God wants us to have a ministry in the Body of Christ, and a mission in the world. Our ministry is our service to believers, and our mission is our service to unbelievers.

If we believe that God loves us unconditionally, that he wants only the best for us, and we possess faith that he is always there for us, then we must also believe he will be there when we call out to him. He will hear us when we pray.

 

We are instructed in scripture not to worry about anything, but instead to pray about everything. What do

your prayers look, feel, and sound like? Do you recite what you were taught back in grade school as your thoughts drift off to other concerns because you don’t even have to think about the words, they just automatically come out? Do you analyze your every word hoping God will approve of your word choice? Do you speak from your heart as you would to a friend?

We all need to analyze our approach to prayer. The Lord waits to hear from us. He longs to hear from our hearts and every strand of our being. He awaits our longings and desperation as we call out to him with sincere motives. Please..... Pray to our Lord all the time! Pray for our children, our churches, our communities, our world! Our God is the only one who can change us, save us, bring us into His eternity!  

Read/Listen to John 17

1 Corinthians 4:6-21

Paul certainly had his work cut out for him. The new church in Corinth was struggling, much like our churches today struggle.  Gossip and pride ran rampant.  One of the first things I had to deal with as a new believer was my habit of gossip.  Why do we do this; because we need to feel superior and important?  So, what that means is those who thrive on gossip are feeding their own inferiority complexes at the expense of others.

"Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Corinthians 4:6-7)

No one has any right to boast about anything.  No one is better than anyone else.  God sent His Son to save everyone, not just certain special people.  No one is more special than his neighbor.  So, if I am Christian why do I sometimes feel superior to others?  I not only feel superior, I act that way as well. I am reminded of the words of Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life, “It is not all about me.”  Once I get over myself and my self-importance life will be sweeter and I will love my neighbor as myself.  The Golden Rule applies today too.


Read the 1 Corinthians 4:6-21 text here.  Listen to a reading of the 1 Corinthians 4:6-21 text here.