Let it Go

Matthew 7:12 NRSV

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” 

In “The Lion King” Rafiki hit Simba on his head. Simba said ‘ow’ and Rafiki answered what difference does it make? It’s in the past. 

We hold on to too much that does us no good but only to take up space in our head. And when we hold on tight enough and long enough it pierces our heart with bitterness. We must leave the past in the past. To continue looking back is wasted time. We must be in the present moment in order to move forward.

We leave the past- not stuffing it - but by releasing it through lamenting.  Then we can truly let go and move on with what we have learned. We can let go and forgive because we have been forgiven. We can forgive ourselves also because we have been forgiven. If God has forgiven us- as God has forgiven us, it is done. Whatever it is- it’s in the past. Walk in the present moment with God and watch what he does. enough for now.

Get To Work

Nehemiah 6:9 NRSV 

“But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”

This is Nehemiah’s prayer to continue the work of rebuilding the Jerusalem wall. He moved through opposition, distractions, but he stayed on course. Go back and read Nehemiah 1-7. Some of the most studied prayers are in the Hebrew Bible. 

Today we must recognize the places where we are in disrepair. The places where we must be rebuilt. And we start with a prayer, “Oh God strengthen our hands.” Give us what we need - to hear, to follow, and then to rest in your peace. Blessings builders, as we work together to pray for ourselves, and for one another. enough for now.

Into His Presence

Psalm 95:1-3

“O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

So very much has happened this week. And we pause today for 9/11. It’s been hectic. We all need a break. We need a refuge. We need to feel God’s peace. You know how sometimes babies sing themselves to sleep? We sing ourselves into God’s presence, we hum a tune to quiet our heart and our mind in order to be in that place with God. 

We humble ourselves in awe of our mighty God, knowing that he can, he does, he will. We pause so that we can unwind the crazy and be rewound with God’s love, his protection, his mercy. 

Take time right now and thank him- look around and thank for what you see! Thank him that you do see! Thank him that you can respond to his love for you! Thank yourself into the peace of his presence! enough for now.

Now, The Land Needs You

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NRSV

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

You all know the 14th verse, which is the complete of the sentence. As God’s people, we have a responsibility to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and repent. When we do that - God forgives us and the land is healed. 

Can you see our responsibility of saving the land through our obedience to God? It’s like the lame man whose friends let him down though the roof. Jesus saw their faith, forgave them and healed the man. 

We can do this - and if believers everywhere did this look at what could happen. But we will do what we will do. Let’s do it! We are his people. We will humble ourselves as we know that God  is so awesome that we cant do anything but be be humbled by his love for us. We will seek God in every instance. We will pray without ceasing. And we will continue to turn from wrong to right. enough for now.