Casting Cares

This past Sunday I was dwelling on a well-quoted scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7.  It says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."  

To be honest, it's one of those passages I've read and heard so many times that it takes some effort to internalize and be meaningful.  Even though it's not a new concept to me, what came to my mind was to bring all the things, people, and situations I care about and put them--figuratively--into God's hand.  I love this because God's hand is a place of power. 

Today I decided to look up the Greek--I'm a language person :)--and I absolutely love all of the connotations of God's hand in scripture.  Not only is it what He uses to create the universe, but to protect, to punish evil, and "in determining and controlling the destinies of men."  That sounds like a great place to leave something that's troubling me.  And the reason it's probably bothering me anyway is because I lack the attributes that God has: the power and control.

So, why don't I do this more often?  Maybe it's my Low Country life that is used to holding onto the net when casting.  In prayer, I don't always ignore things, but I find myself stopping short of casting--throwing away from myself and releasing it completely to God to deal with. Sometimes I'll "pray" and tell God about it without really giving it to Him.  

From Charlie Scott SCBC site

"Prayer is not asking.  Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts."                                                                ~Mother Theresa

The reason scripture gives to throw our cares at Jesus is because God cares for us.  What's on God's heart and mind is us.  We matter to Him.  What concerns us concerns Him.  It really doesn't matter what it is, how big and impossible, how seemingly trite and insignificant.  He invites us to not just tell Him about, but to throw the things that trouble us onto Him.  And I love that it works for the concerns we have on behalf of those we care about!

"You search the Scriptures, for you believe they give you eternal life.  And the Scriptures point to me!  Yet you won't come to me so that I can give you this life eternal!  John 5:39-40 TLB

Most of my cares right now seem directly or indirectly connected to my preparation for the mission field--including the timing of when I will leave.  So, how convenient that this passage even addresses timing.  Some translations say "in due time," others "the right time" or "the proper time."  Does anyone else translate this as "not my timing"?  (Just being honest).  We shouldn't.  I mean, chances are God's timing may not be ours; but if it isn't, it's because the conditions aren't right.  

Last Greek reference, but Peter uses the word kairos here.  I love this word.  I remember my pastor preaching on Mark 1:15 years ago as a karios moment.  It's a moment in time where the conditions are right to take an opportunity.  In fact, if you don't take it, it may be a really long time--or never--when the opportunity will present itself again. 

So, in this case, when we are able to let go of our cares and trustingly leave them in God's powerful, mighty hand, there's a promise regarding the timing of God to raise us to a place of "dignity, honor, and happiness" (exalting us). Basically, God knows when everything is at its peak and opportune time and promises that timing to answer and bless us with the concerns we bring to Him.  So, what do you say?  One by one, let's start casting those cares to Jesus and see what happens.

  

Quotes regarding Greek definitions taken from blueletterbible.org.  

How's Your Posture?

"It is not the body's posture, but the heart's attitude that counts when we pray."   ~Billy Graham

How's Your Posture?

Over Christmas, I dealt with some back pain, which forced me to re-evaluate some habits like posture. It's something I'm sorry to say I don't work at when all is well and find it takes a lot of conscious effort and even training to form healthy habits.  It's quite amazing how our natural tendency is to revert to positions that put stress on our weak areas when we could/should use our stronger muscles for this!

This being highlighted in my natural circumstances, I became sensitive to the same concept spiritually. And I noticed how Hannah's (one of my favorite women from B.C. days) posture drastically improved when she returned from a life-changing experience at the temple.  She went from a despondent disposition because of unfulfilled longings to one of worship.  Her circumstances hadn't changed...yet; but her outlook, her attitude, and her actions put her in position to receive the very thing she longed for from the Lord: a son.

Hannah's exemplar posture of worship is something I'm trying to live out in a time of waiting and extended delay.  As you may know, in December my goal to leave in January was pushed to February. Last week I learned that it's been delayed even further, with the new estimated (earliest) leave date as end of March!  I tend to be a "glass is half full" kind of person and could, without even thinking, rattle off about 5-6 blessings that have come from my still being here.  Still, the waiting has that "gravity effect" that if I'm not intentional to keep a posture of worship, I find myself spiritually slouching.

So, as I examine my spiritual stance and consider how to practically engage to improve it, I like how Eugene Peterson translates James 4: 8-10 in the Message.  Parts of it remind me a lot of Hannah's own position.  So let God work his will in you.  Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper.  Say a quiet yes to God, and He'll be there in no time.  Quit dabbling in sin.  Purify your inner life.  Quit playing the field.  Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out.  The fun and games are over.  Get serious, really serious.  Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

 

"There are thoughts which are prayers.  There are moments when, whatever the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees."  

~Victor Hugo 

It Pays To Obey

Sorry I didn't write in the month of January.  I've been in a black hole the past few weeks.  Don't worry, I haven't been depressed.  I've just been consumed--physically, mentally, and emotionally.  You see, I began taking a 3-week intensive course on partnership development 3 weeks ago...the same week I'd signed up for an intensive weekend workshop at my church on top of an already fairly busy schedule.  

What does this have to do with obedience, you may be asking.  Well, the class wasn't my idea.  I've had several trainings and previous experience in raising support; and while I'm a believer in life-long learning, it seemed better to use my limited time to actually be doing it rather than learning more.

But my missions' agency (SAMS) had asked me to pilot the class.  I knew deep down that I could use the practical help.  And bottom line, after dialogue with the Lord, I believed that God Himself was leading me down this dreaded path.  So, with the prayer support of a few friends and SAMS behind me, I signed up and made it through 3 intense weeks of training.

So, fast forward to this morning when I have my very first partnership presentation outside of class.  Now remember that this isn't really my cup of tea; but I and others have been praying me through this, including my friend Sarah who I'm meeting for coffee.  First, I'm thankful to just catch up but also encouraged that it's genuinely fun and exciting sharing my stories with her, especially when she interjects that the "African man" who had greatly influenced my life a few years back is a personal friend of hers!

Catching Up

Then we both get excited as we share different connections and dream about ways that God could bless a potential partnership.  But the clincher is when the couple who has been sitting next to us walks over.  The lady politely interrupts to explain that she hasn't exactly been eavesdropping, but she's heard enough to know that I'm raising money for something that I"m passionate about and hands me a $100 bill!

Did this really just happen?

Now, I certainly never want my--or anyone's--motive to obey God to be for monetary or other personal gain.  I want it to be out of a relationship of love and trust.  That said, God does promise blessing to those who obey Him.  

"If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments...all these blessings will come down on you..." Deut 28

It goes a lot deeper than today's events. But based on God's own words, I think it's fair to say that it pays to obey, and for me today, quite literally!