Prayer

How often have you heard, or said, "All I can do is pray." ? Let's think about this for a moment. All I can do? Meaning, There is nothing else I can do, I have exhausted all other avenues? Prayer becomes a last resort, something we only turn to when there is nowhere else to go. And there is a good reason circumstances drive us to our knees. But consider this: Prayer is our direct connection to God. That is a very  powerful thing. I know I take it lightly far too often. Prayer is communication with God. But how often does it become "just prayer" ? Yet God doesn't want us to come to Him only when we're desperate, when we're on our knees because things are so bad we can't stand anymore. We need to come to Him first. He doesn't just want a part of our life, he wants it all. He wants us to turn to Him when we're joyful, sad, hurt, angry, whatever. Nothing you or I can say is going to surprise or shock Him. Read Psalms. David doesn't hold back. We don't have to either. Ephesians 6:18  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— This is right after the verses about putting on the full armor of God. Pray always. 1 Thessalonians pray without ceasing. Over and over again we are told of the importance of prayer. Obviously, this is a big deal. Yet, I forget this all the time. So often I try everything but prayer. It's something that's been laid on my heart a lot lately. Prayer is so amazing, and it continually blows my mind. Very slowly, I'm learning to fight on my knees. I don't have it down, not by a long shot, but, I'm learning. And it's good.

Making Waves

My goal in life is usually to make as few waves as possible. I don't like having people put out with me. I do my best to keep the people around me happy. But I realized something today. If I am truly following my God, there are going to be people mad at me.
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19
I am promised that the world is going to hate me. No maybe about it. If I am following Jesus, the world is going to hate
 me because it hated him. Translated: I'm not going to be able to keep everyone happy. I wouldn't be able to do that anyway. I feel like I've failed when people are upset. But the truth is, it's not all about me, however much I would like to think so sometimes. There are things that are so much bigger and more important than me.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
We are promised tribulation. The definition of tribulation? Grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.
Not fun. But this isn't supposed to freak us out. We are to be of good cheer, have joy through it all. Why? Jesus. Jesus overcame the world; he overcame death! And if that isn't a good reason to be joyful, I don't know what is. His way is so different from the world's way, we are bound to make waves. And that will be unpleasant. But it will also be worth it to live life for the God of the universe.