Posted by karlahagan on Jan 3, 2015 in A Community, A Story, Blog | 0 comments
Yesterday I prayed into the words purpose and perspective from Colossians 1!
Today I am thoughtful of the word – position.
As we look out over the edge of 2015, there is risk. What will come in this year? How will we as a family advance? What challenges will confront us? What struggles will we navigate? Maybe even, do I have the energy and strength to face the details of this year? As well, what will be our celebrations, our victories and steps made? Control is not a given, and for some of us, this is not comfortable. So, before we move into any activity on our part, let’s remember our position in Jesus Christ.
Our brother Jesus has extended his hand and offered us a place by his side. Deep breath and read that again. Then read Hebrews 4:14-16, 2 Timothy 4:17-18 and Revelation 3:18-21 to receive or to remember your personal invitation!
I picked up the book The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. Living in the 1600s, Brother Lawrence served as a cook in a French monastery. This book is known as a great interpretation of a life lived fully in the details of a normal day while fully in conversation with God. I find his book to be great perspective for me as I live out the purpose discussed in yesterday’s prayer. So, I began looking for words for us in his experience, and I came upon a perfect picture of our position as we live out the purpose.
We must remember who we are and who is calling us! It helps me release the control and embrace the risk no matter what is in front of us in this year of 2015!
Brother Lawrence writes: “I consider myself as the most wretched of men, full of sores and corruption, and who has committed all sorts of crimes against his King. Touched with a sensible regret I confess to Him all my wickedness, I ask His forgiveness, I abandon myself in His hands, that He may do what He pleases with me. This King, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastising me, embraces me with love, makes me eat at His table, serves me with His own hands, gives me the Key of His treasures; He converses and delights Himself with me incessantly, in a thousand and a thousand ways, and treats me in all respects as His favorite. It is thus I consider myself from time to time in His holy presence.”
Deep breath and read that again. Find the phrases that capture you the most, and then pray them over your children.
May they know first a Father God that loves and calls us His favorite. May we all rest in the truth of his mercy, his goodness and his embrace. 2015 is in good hands, and we are good hands too!
Remember with me today our position in Jesus. Sit with Father for a minute and open yourself to his delight. Thank him for the “keys to his treasures” and begin today asking for it. Stand on the edge of 2015, raise your hands in the air and “abandon yourself in His hands!” Pray too for this position to be fixed in the minds and hearts of your children. They must first know the love before they can move to loving! Our position is a crucial picture!