I think it was C.S. Lewis who said, you are not a body with a spirit, your are a spirit that has a body. If you are young, that may not have quite as much meaning to you as it does for those of us us who are older and looking forward to a new body.
For those living with long term, chronic illness, it can feel like you are "stuck" in that body. If you are not completely debilitated, you may have a lot of spiritual passion but not have the physical ability to use it. You may have hopes and dreams or even just great intentions but not have the physical ability to make them happen.
For others it may be having a high IQ that makes you feel stuck. If you have some health issues but have a mind that craves learning and analyzing, but your body will not let you do much with it for a time, that can be extremely stressful and boring. It is hard to live life like that! Perhaps, your mind wants to create, your body is capable, but you are lacking for the outlets. Such things can make us feel stuck.
I am reminded at times of two things. First, I think that we are intentionally given a "form", an ideal of what heaven will be like some day. That is, I think that our spirits know what we need and want, and some day those needs and want will be fulfilled continually. During this life, they may be met for a time, and other times, there may be a sense of void. It can lead to boredom and discouragement, but we must remember that the thing we are seeking is beautiful because it is a symbol of the perfection of heaven, that we will some day taste.
Secondly, I know this is quite an old adage, but we must discern the things in life over which we do have control and those thing that we do not. Then we can take responsibility for those things over which we do have control. The others we can lay at the feet of Jesus. He will either meet them now or give us the strength to set them aside until the day where He will make all things right again.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Intercession or just age?
I have hit that age where I awake in the middle of the night and sometimes can't go back to sleep. I know that it is common for women to wrestle with sleep at this age. I have also learned from a dear aunt of mine that such time is a great time to pray for others in my life. It rarely enables me to go back to sleep, but at least I can do something useful with my time, instead of wondering if and when I will be able to fall back asleep.
Sometimes I wonder if God wakes us up because He wants us to pray for someone. There are those times when friends or family are going through something fierce and need that extra support.
I know the following is pretty non-Western for most Christians to swallow. Then again, I was never one to just stay inside of the box that those around me create. I'm not one to rock the boat, but my philosophical creativity does not like to be restrained. Just as I believe there is power in prayer, I also believe there is power in the negative feelings and negative energy we have towards people. We, as Christians, do not realize that we have the power to damage others with our curse-filled attitudes. I know that sounds so new-Age, negative energy and all. If you want to put it into more "Christianese", look at it this way. If we speak our negative thoughts about someone, Satan can hear that. He can also attempt to put negative thoughts about others into our minds. It does not take a rocket scientist to then look at our non verbals and figure out how successful he is in affecting our attitude. He is then capable of finding that person we have harbored a negative attitude about, and I believe he then tries to wreak havoc with their thoughts. I believe the demonic spirit world can use our negative energy to wound others, just as Jesus, or His angels can use our prayers to encourage others.
I want my thoughts, my words, my actions, and my attitude to bless others, not harm them. Not everyone in my life will be open to that. The least I can do though is make sure I am not creating negative/ curse-filled energy in their life. The best I can do is bless others by praying for them.
Jesus, help me to be a blessing in the lives of others, not a curse.
Sometimes I wonder if God wakes us up because He wants us to pray for someone. There are those times when friends or family are going through something fierce and need that extra support.
I know the following is pretty non-Western for most Christians to swallow. Then again, I was never one to just stay inside of the box that those around me create. I'm not one to rock the boat, but my philosophical creativity does not like to be restrained. Just as I believe there is power in prayer, I also believe there is power in the negative feelings and negative energy we have towards people. We, as Christians, do not realize that we have the power to damage others with our curse-filled attitudes. I know that sounds so new-Age, negative energy and all. If you want to put it into more "Christianese", look at it this way. If we speak our negative thoughts about someone, Satan can hear that. He can also attempt to put negative thoughts about others into our minds. It does not take a rocket scientist to then look at our non verbals and figure out how successful he is in affecting our attitude. He is then capable of finding that person we have harbored a negative attitude about, and I believe he then tries to wreak havoc with their thoughts. I believe the demonic spirit world can use our negative energy to wound others, just as Jesus, or His angels can use our prayers to encourage others.
I want my thoughts, my words, my actions, and my attitude to bless others, not harm them. Not everyone in my life will be open to that. The least I can do though is make sure I am not creating negative/ curse-filled energy in their life. The best I can do is bless others by praying for them.
Jesus, help me to be a blessing in the lives of others, not a curse.
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