Reflection: Pursuit: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What is the difference between wasted time and solitary time?

2.     How easy is it for you to recognize?

3.     What activity drains your heart and leaves you empty afterwards?

4.     What is a specific soul-filling time for you?

Share: How do you apply that peace practically?

Pursuit: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8: 13

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

How often have we pursued a goal to its end with the realization that if we could only have seen ahead where it would end up we would never have become involved?

From trying out a seemingly simple recipe to a multi-layered project we may only recognize the wasted time in hindsight. A few hours we can shrug off with laughter or a sigh, but a long pursuit that encompassed all our time and energy that ends in emptiness lingers. It can create despair or emptiness or sorrow or a hardened heart. We close ourselves off and choose not to risk any more.

Even the ones that are considered a success to others. A good effort—a good outreach—a good investment. And yet personally, a misuse of ourselves. Maybe because we followed someone else’s vision without clarification. We sometimes don’t discern a call between encouragement and involvement.

Following good pursuits without discretion can create as much barrenness as following wrong activities. And we can become resistant or reluctant to respond when the Spirit nudges us to a new challenge or opportunity.

Then our human failures can barricade us from living in the Spirit’s promises and opportunities.  So we need to ask ourselves—whose voice have we become attuned to?

Lord, please guide all our steps with the discernment to recognize waste and embrace Your foresight in all our pursuits. Daily and long-term.

  

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:12

“I, wisdom, live with prudence, and I attain knowledge and discretion.”

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Paid: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       PAID

                        Debtors—yes

                        but no longer tied to

                        basic hungers

                        false pursuits

                        furtive longings.

                        Debt fully paid.

                        Now a longing to prove

                        new beginnings

                        compassion and mercy now

                        clear water flowing

                        into all desires

                        imprint of holy

                        gift unequaled

                        given by grace.

                        Debtors—always.

Reflection: Debtors: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     To whom or what do you feel is an on going debt?

2.     Do you carry it lightly or with a heavy heart?

3.     Have you sought the Lord’s counsel on how to carry it?

4.     What would or could make it a debt of joy?

Share: Do you have a new word of hope?

Debtors: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:12

“So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—.”

Debt is a heavy burden to carry whether financial or emotional or as mandated service. No matter whether the payment is to be immediate or long term its weight hovers like a shroud ready to envelope our lives.

So we automatically cringe at the thought of becoming debtors. Failure—obligation—loss.

Then we are called to become debtors to the Spirit—to Jesus—to God’s word, and the concept is a struggle to align with our mortal fears.

But the Lord’s language goes far beyond the confines of our understanding. His debt to us is of love. A love also beyond our comprehension, and a debt we can never pay back.  A lifted up love that invites a debt that shares in everything. He invites us to become debtors so that we can live deeply in a relationship of forgiveness and hope.

A debt that is chosen. One that He chose to pay for our lives. A debt that costs everything and lasts forever. A debt of grace shared beyond any walls or boundaries or limitations that we can imagine.

Thank you, Lord, for providing us with a debt that brings hope and mercy and forgiveness. May we also become such debtors and offer the same to others.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:11

“For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”

Breath: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Breath

                        Bombarded by cardboard

                        advertisements

                        world promised

                        health and wealth

                        life worth living

                        except all dissolves,

                        decays after warranty

                        sometimes before.

                       

                        Breath of life comes through

                        Advocate

                        word promised

                        hope and wonder

                        life worthy of living

                        everlasting relationships

                        devoted fellowship

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                        steadfast always.

Reflection: Dissolves: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What is your definition of a life worth living?

2.     How connected is your external life to your heart?

3.     What would cause you to wake with joy every morning?

4.     Each morning, this week, make one positive step towards that in prayer.

Share: One aspect of joy you appreciate.