Series: Flowers in the Desert
Psalm 50:15 ESV
John 12:27-36 ESV
2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV
Galatians 2:20 ESV
Acts 2:1-4 (Spirit sent to Earth)
There used to be a saying, “trouble is your middle name” that circulated in some circles around the 1960’s.
It was sometimes used to remind children (or teenagers) that they were getting close to the edge of a curb.
I don’t remember it being said to me, but I did hear it frequently. I don’t think that’s because I did everything I was supposed to do. I think more than likely it was because I was a ‘hider’.
As a child I loved playing in my room by myself. I loved reading. I’ve said before that I didn’t play with Barbie a lot, but I used to read to my Barbie dolls.
When I was a teenager I have to admit I should have been in trouble (a lot) for how fast I drove a car. Looking back I consider it a miracle that I didn’t have stacks upon stacks of speeding tickets.
While I still struggle to remember the speed limit, as an adult I’ve not been known for how many speeding tickets I’ve racked up through the years (0). I consider that a miracle.
I have a strong suspicion that my dad knew I had a habit of driving too fast because he used to talk with me about where to go if I get in trouble. He wasn’t talking about while driving a car…he was talking about life.
When I was twenty something I did listen to him (most of the time) but as I got older I started listening more.
So, here’s the deal…my dad died of cancer when I was 34 years old. It took time, but eventually I realized that all the lessons my dad taught me were probably intentional. I found out after he died that he had repeatedly told my Mom he would die when he was sixty.
He died of cancer in his sixtieth year.
He had been preparing me and teaching me about God so I would have tools in my toolbox after he was gone.
Psalm 50:15 tells us, “call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
While my “trouble” didn’t happen while driving, I’ve still seen my fair share of trouble in my life as an adult.
Each time I’ve felt like I’m in over my head, I remember the words from scripture my dad talked about.
I remember God is always there (here) to help me.
I’m not sure why but for some reason my theology about the presence of God in my life was not really accurate. When I was younger I thought of God being in heaven.
I prayed to God in heaven.
While that is true, it’s only half the story.
As I read about prayer, studied prayer in scripture, and met regularly with a professional Spiritual Director I realized the full meaning of receiving God in Christ in my life. The problem wasn’t with what I believed…it was with the perception of what I was taught early in Sunday School. See, when I was young no one told me when we turn to God, The Spirit resides in us.
Because I wasn’t aware of my perception, I did not have a conversation with my dad about the Spirit, the light of God residing in me.
The truth is, when Jesus came to earth it changed everything. Not only was Jesus willing to die so that we might live, Jesus confronted Satan (the ruler of this world) so that when we believe Satan has no power over us.
In John 12:27-36 we are told, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
I’m not sure why as a child I did not read 2 Corinthians 13:5 where Paul was really clear
“do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?”
And again in Galatians 2:20 when Paul wrote, “I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.”
I even memorized that verse, but I was so accustomed to thinking that when I pray I pray to God in heaven.
What I needed to GET was that one line…Christ lives IN me.
That didn’t change the fact that Christ lives in me, but it changed my perception, my perspective.
Once I got it, really got it, and I realized how powerful that is! In many ways, because Christ lives IN us, we have the ultimate protection. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross and when the Spirit was sent to earth (see Acts 2:1-4) we are filled with the Spirit.
The beautiful Peacock Flower declares the glory of God…
The glory of God is IN us!
Spiritual Practice: Spirit in You
Remind yourself today that the Glory of God is IN you!
In God, Deborah
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