Category Archives: SPIRITUAL INTEREST

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Sacred Space on Saturday Morning

MY SACRED SATURDAY MORNINGS

Our lives reveal what matters to us. They also show some of our history, the culmination of our experiences, how we processed them, and our conclusions about them. This is true about our spiritual lives as well. A stiff, stale, scripted spiritual walk lacks life. On the other hand, spiritual life that is growing demonstrates its liveliness. Are we growing as Christians? We might assess where in our inner selves we see change and deeper understanding of God’s truths and ways. The other day I was thinking along such lines when I asked myself what has been most important in changing up my spiritual life. The answer: My Saturday mornings.

My Saturday routine became essential to my spiritual development seventeen years ago. My life was busy as a teacher and farmer and single mom of five kiddos. It was necessary to block out the morning for extra meaningful without interruption time for serious spiritual contemplation. I’d make a cup of coffee, grab my bible, journal, pen, devotional or books, feed the wood stove, and start reading. About an hour into it, I’d take a break to make from scratch pancakes or waffles and maple syrup for the kids.

Once the kids were fed and the chores for the day dispensed, I’d dive into what I liked best. I’d spend the bulk of the morning in my sacred space on the corner of the couch. Like a starving soul, I soaked it up. Two to three hours or for as long as possible I read in my Bible, prayed, meditated on His word, and wrote a multitude of thoughts in my journal. It was hallowed time. O how I cherished those times of spiritual refreshment, rejuvenation, and renewal. I grew and grew and grew. God wrought changes in me as I sought Him as my teacher, healer, friend, and Lord.

Every week I looked forward to my time alone with God. As I look back on the many components to my healing, growing, and transformation, it is clear to me that my devotion to God came as a result of my seeking to know Him. I truly believe during that block of time for the deeper walk is part of why I grew in my faith journey. Open, honest, willing heart-felt communication with my heavenly Father made this ‘conversation’ authentic. The hours seemed like minutes, they flew by.

True, at the onset I hurt emotionally and that’s what caused me to seek heaven’s door. I knew I didn’t want the same old thing. I wanted to know God without a formulaic approach. I desired open, honest, straight talk. I asked God to penetrate the layers of my self-stuff, which He did over the months, bit by bit. That’s when my spiritual life became real, lively, and authentic; the pretense was confronted and then removed. Since then it has become a way of life with me. I hunger for the silences, my alone times with God, the place where relational intimacy develops and thrives. I’m retired from teaching which means I can pick any day of the week to have my sacred time alone with God. I’m thankful for this.

You don’t need to do it the way I did. Let God lead you ‘beside the still waters.’ Fill yourself with Him. Soak in His presence. Ask Him to be alive in you. Allow Him to cleanse you of your impurities to make you anew. Rest in His love. Hope in His peace. Let His beauty be seen in you. Let go and let God. Be blessed.

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ANGST, WORRY & FEAR: A TERRIBLE TRIO

Biblical Context Matters

Fret Not: This is Not the End

Last Sunday the pastor spoke about how we get anxious about problems in the world. He brought us to Psalm 37, a favorite biblical passage. I’ve derived comfort from Psalm 37 ever since I was freshman in college struggling with a heartache from a recent break-up. Its words said to me, “Fret not,” this is not the end; life still has promise.

“Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

In my line of work, I like to keep up with current events. To do so means I daily read Facebook, Twitter, and Newsfeeds. Some of the content shocks me. Evil is out in the open. Hate, too. I fear where society is headed. I worry about the mindset of godless youth and adults. I fear the Christian voice is being silenced and eventually will be confined behind closed doors.

The heaviness of the burden is like a gray blanket surrounding me. Its weight threatens to rob me of my joy. I wonder if I should step away from my writing to be free of it. Rather than escape, God tells me to not fret about that stuff. He says to trust in him and there-in enjoy safe pasture.

“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

God is in control. The best thing I can do for myself is to commit my way to God. He makes my path straight. No matter the hatred or troubles, my vindication is complete in the Lord. I can let the evil of the day confuse my ability to access joy. It is natural to let it overwhelm me. However, God waits for me to trust him for the journey. What a blessing when I choose to do so.

“Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

Powerful words are these. We are given what we need, when we need it. Going through a heartache? Trust in the Lord and do good. Fearing about the future? Delight in the Lord and rest in him. Look to God for that with lasting value: hope, life, and eternal promise. Sigh. Yes! We don’t have to give in to the cultural angst. We have something better.

I do not always like my circumstances or the problems I face. I get discouraged. God asks me to give it to him. Sometimes I do that easily. Other times it takes a series of steps to get there. The world’s mess, however, gets to me in a much heavier, worrisome way. I feel its darkness enclosing the world. I can’t solve this problem. Like it says in the first two verses, this isn’t my worry. This is God’s deal.

“Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Scripture text is from Psalm 137:1-7  NIV

My responsibility is to commit myself to the Lord and to trust in him. God reaches deep down in me as his presence ministers to my soul. He encourages me to pray and to surrender everything to him. The burden lifts once this process is complete. As a result, my friendship with God flourishes as it tenderly flowers within my being. Praise God for this.

To God Be The Glory