Thursday, September 25, 2008

The shelter of the Most High

I have just found myself waking from a spiritual slumber and I hadn't even notices that I had drifted off to sleep. I guess we should call it a cat nap. I was pressing in like never before. I was experiencing breakthroughs and revelations almost daily then ever so subtly I was succumbing to the stresses of my life and I wasn't waking with praises on my lips. How easy it can be to get lost in yourself. I wasn't praying as fervently or being as disciplined about my devotional time. God was at best getting my leftovers. But God in all his goodness and tender mercies put just the right people in my path to draw me closer once again.
I realized how very much I was missing my spiritual friends and mentors only after I had them back. The enemy wants to keep us from those people. He wants us to suffer and fall deeper into selfish despair. I encourage you friends. Recognize the beauty of relationships. God created us to not be alone. There is a good reason for that.

Ecclesiastes 4

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

When you feel life and all of its tribulations weighing on you, first seek the shelter of the Most High. Sometimes that is hard to do...that is why we need our spiritual counselors. They will be faithful to direct you to the only one who can help. Be a good listener and put away criticism and judgment. Just be a tool in the Fathers hand.

A little story:

Yesterday I had to go to church to get registered for a class. When I got there I discovered that the class facilitator was sitting down with each individual and inputting their information into the computer. My thoughts quickly went to...This can take all night...I have things to do. Then it was...she could have done this over the phone. But as I proposed to not let bitterness take root I realized that I could visit with a friend I had been missing. Once we were all registered an other good friend asked my friend and I to pray for her because she was anxious about some coming changes. We took each others hands and came before the Lord together and it was so amazing. It was like the Holy Spirit just rained down on us. I walked away last night praising the Lord for bringing me there and allowing me to minister to my friends and in turn be ministered to. It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gone. I wouldn't have happened if I was still tending to those roots of bitterness. I am human...yes I had the wrong thoughts but becoming mature in Christ just means that we make adjustments more quickly then when we were younger in our faith.

We should never fail to seek the shelter of the Most High but in case we do at least we can have a "plan B". The more you don't want to be bothered, the more you think you need some alone time, the more you need to pick up the phone and call your friends. Who else will listen to our fears and concerns and then wrap their arms around you and redirect you to the Lord.

I have been blessed with some wonderful wonderful women in my life. I thank God for them. I want to be that to others too.

Lord, I thank you for your tender mercies in every form they come but today I want to especially thank you for my friends. For all of the blessings I have received because of their faithfulness let me in turn be there to minister to the needs of others. Here I am ...send me.

3 comments:

Debra Kaye said...

Steph,

This is an awesome post! To God be the glory for all He has done and all He will continue to do!!

Blessings to you sweet sister!!

Stephanie said...

You have been such a rock in my life! I am immensely blessed to have you in my life. Brings new meaning to the kids saying "you rock!" LOL

Laurie Ann said...

I love what you wrote here, "but becoming mature in Christ just means that we make adjustments more quickly then when we were younger in our faith."

I see that more and more often. Joyce Meyer touched on that this morning.

Great post!