Me? A Solution or Part of the Problem

Have you ever innocently walked into a situation thick with tension? Maybe there's a rough group coming your way. It doesn't take long for the anxiety to jump onto you as well. Now, consider that same situation and a police officer shows up. A sigh of relief is exhaled and the fear is replaced with a feeling of safety. Police are trained to be a non-anxious presence in every environment. Wouldn't it be great if we had that calming effect on others?

Maybe you aren't walking in a rough part of town, but into a meeting where emotions are charged. I've walked into just such meetings. A few years ago I was invited to a meeting of a few women and one of our pastors. As the women's director I often was included on meetings and thought nothing of it except to be a part of whatever solution was required. However, when I walked into this room I sensed this was not one where I was to help with a solution, but that I was the problem. Pressure had built in these women to a point where anxiety pressed in all around me. Accusations were presented as I sat blindsided. Attempting to resolve the situation, the pastor asked questions which exposed their concerns were assumptions magnified by months of these women grumbling without coming to me directly.

God worked in my shocked state to keep my mouth closed, but boy did I want to lash out. My flesh was angry! I was so consumed by the anxiety, I couldn't breath. Interestingly, the word anxiety comes from the Latin meaning, to suffocate. That certainly was my feeling. But the calming presence of our pastor allowed air to breathe into the room as if the tension had been pricked by a pin. The accusers words rang in their own ears as one by one realized all this anxiety was based on a misunderstanding. I had been the problem for these women, but by all of us submitting to the calming presence of the pastor the problem was resolved. Jesus had been in that room moving in each of us. He was the solution and the calming force.

What if I had I had fought declaring my innocence? What if I had accused these women as busybodies or gossips? Even though the hurt was great, it was a misunderstanding. Yes, they handled it poorly, but don't I over react at times? Don't I talk to girlfriends inappropriately at times? My innocence would never have been seen had I responded as my flesh desired.

Next time you have a contentious meeting, ask Jesus to be the calming presence in the room. Ask Him to silence you when needed and to allow truth to be revealed. You may have started as the problem, but waiting and listening just might make you a part of the solution.

Taking a 3 year old before Jesus

The message at church recently was on the paralyzed man who's friends lowered him through a roof to get him before Jesus. (Luke 5:17-26) As I listened I became aware the paralyzed man never spoke. We don't see him ask his buddies to take him, they just seem to gather and do it because they believed Jesus was willing to heal. The Lord impressed upon me the importance of fellow believers bringing our requests before Jesus, and He especially impressed upon me those without a voice.

Our three year old grandson is without a voice. A few months ago he was diagnosed with a mild form of Autism and his biggest handicap has been his speech. He cannot verbalize his needs and we struggle to understand how/why, he must carry this burden. But through this message, God was showing me that He had purpose for this trial and those who stand with us will see the hand of God move.

Perhaps God wants our prayers to go deeper than "fix him, Lord". Perhaps there is some area of healing God is doing in some other aspect. In John 11:15, Jesus speaks a fact, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that YOU may believe." Jesus used an impossible situation to bring His followers into a closer understanding of His purposes. I think those friends of the paralyzed man had faith, but no idea Jesus would forgive the man's sins first. That's when the conflict arose of what Jesus had claimed to do. The Pharisees were questioning the healing of the most important of all healings, forgiveness of sins. Jesus asks the scribes and Pharisees to reason and evaluate Who He was as He healed the soul. It was then He chose to heal the body.

Is God asking me, and those who join me, to figuratively take this baby before Jesus and believe on a deeper level? Why has He placed this on my heart? Maybe God wants to do a deeper healing in our family. Maybe a more intense understanding in our life groups. Maybe He is using this little boy to get members of our church to believe Jesus is Who He says He is.

Who is Jesus calling you to take before Jesus? Maybe it is YOU! Will you ask the Lord to show you, me, us, His will in a deeper way? I want to be changed according to God's will. I am even boldly asking the Lord to give this child a voice through the healing grace of Jesus.

I am aware this heart for my grandson is personal, but I am also aware I have been called to be obedient to His prompting. Consider praying for this three year old or someone else who needs Jesus. Who knows, God may use this so that you may believe He is who He says He is.