01-15-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS

January 15, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 18:6

In my distress I cried out to the LORD; I called to my God for help. God heard my voice from his temple; I called to him for help, and my call reached his ears.

Thought for the Day: Does God hear our cries and then respond, or is God always in the mode of response even when we’ve not known to cry out? What does it mean to come to the realization that we need help? It might be the child who is becoming more and more frustrated because something isn’t working the way s/he believes it should work; the person who has yet to admit an addiction to alcohol; the parent who has tried everything for a child who is making unhealthy choices. I just can’t imagine my cries are what awakens God to my need. I believe God is there in the struggle and mess even before I have acknowledged my need for assistance, yet the cry is the reorientation of self toward God. Suddenly I might actually see the God who has always been present. Those who are intentional about their prayer life, conversing regularly with God on a whole host of topics tend to be those who struggle less in those moments of crisis. I’m not suggesting their pain is any less, but with the connection already present there is no (or possibly less) reorienting. It’s like the dear friend who has journeyed with you to this point, knowing all the problems and your quirkiness. When you make the crisis call, there isn’t time spent giving the backstory or trying to create a level of comfort. It just is… and it is good.

Prayer: Call me to this conversation a bit more often, Gracious and Eternal God, and I will do better in carving out the time to be with you. Amen.

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