PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14, NIV)
REFLECTIONS:
We do not know a great deal about the faith community of Jeremiah's time, but we do know that it was going through a tough, painful time. Cities were laid waste, national hopes were dashed, and the faith of the people was in crisis as they were carted off into Babylonian captivity. Yet, in this passage Jeremiah assures the people that there is hope. God will hear and answer their prayers if they honestly take responsibility for their situation, repent—that is, change—and return to the love and service of the God who loved and created them. Jeremiah provides us with a wonderful invitation to a passionate, honest relationship with the God who has called our faith community to be a community not only of love and hope, but also of truth.
………
About a week ago, I lay awake for several hours one night, thinking about my current state of spiritual dryness. I have such fond memories of walking in a dynamic, life-giving relationship with God. Intimacy abounded. Prayer came easy. My thoughts were almost always filled with hope, and my words were life-giving. Sadly, that type of relationship with Christ is only in my memory, now. In being completely honest with you, I must admit that for the last few years I have been a struggle for me. I have experienced an almost constant state of spiritual dryness. Where once there was intimacy, now there's only silence and distance. Prayer is no longer easy; in fact, it's often a chore. My thoughts are almost always self-centered, and my words are rarely life-giving.
Throughout this time of spiritual dryness, I've searched and prayed and struggled for answers, longing to experience once again the abundance of life that comes while walking in intimacy with Jesus—but no answers seem to come. Honestly, this has been such a struggle for me that I have contemplated giving up hope, figuring that this was going to be my spiritual experience for a while. As I was lying in bed not long ago, my heart was full of despair and hopelessness.
But then, I read today's scripture. And, suddenly there's a spark! Like the change in seasons, the "air" seems to feel different, fell fresh. While things are still a struggle, my heart is now filling with hope that a change for the better is right around the corner. Rather than giving up, I'm now crying out for grace and struggling with a renewed energy to call upon the Lord and to seek him with my whole heart. Rather than focusing on my struggles and my failings, I'm centering my thoughts on the God who promises restoration and a glorious future.
POINT OF ACTION:
Sometimes as we come to God in prayer, we find ourselves overwhelmed by our own mistakes, our pettiness, and our lack of faith and hope. Today ask God for forgiveness for those times you have trusted in yourself rather than in God and for the courage to keep returning.
PRAYER:
Lord God, like exiled Israel, I also ignore you and seek false gods—those of money, of power, of prestige. Rather than relying upon your wisdom and grace, I tend to trust in myself alone. It is hard to hear that I have created my own times of trouble, but what blessed comfort it is to know that your plans for me are good, that there is hope. Lord, help me to seek you in my daily life, even when the results are not immediately apparent. Amen.
WHO AM I?
I am Tres Sansom, and I would love and appreciate your prayers for my renewal.
Hey Tres, thank you so much for your willingness to share openly. After almost 50 years of getting to know Jesus, I too have those memories of sweet times when the Lord's presence was so very near. There are also years that went by when I didn't sense the Spirit like that, although I knew God loved me; I just didn't feel the "newness." Sometimes I think God did a little bit of a "disappearing act" to help me build faith. Sort of like when we drop the kiddos off & they cry & cry with separation anxiety, but we always come back for them so they get used to it, trusting we'll return. I wouldn't trade the years I went without that "nearness" of God because life happened & there was so much around me that was really incredible. Those dry times are definitely a part of who I am & how God has been developing me & is STILL changing & transforming me- I would've given up on me a LONG time ago! It would seem the older one gets in the Lord, the more confident, joyful, "mature" we'd be. But the older I get, the more I see the reality of how very sinful I am & how desperately I need a Savior. And God is continuing to work, teach, & actually direct my steps (I KNOW because I certainly cannot take credit for the incredible circumstances in which I find myself!) So as my wonderful dad always says to me, chin up & keep on going! We can even thank God in the dry times, and that gratitude can usher in a host of blessings on top of what God's already given. Tres, u totally rock-I love your humor & I love your honesty - ROCK & ROLL, Bro:))
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