Noticing the rabbits

One day I was praying to God all about me.  “God I want this, God I need that, God help me to become this.” I was praying this while beginning my walk at a local park.  I was in need of some QT with Jesus and was looking forward to our time about me.  Not far into the walk I came across an abandoned pet rabbit near some trees.   Out of curiosity I went over to the rabbit and determining that it was tame picked it up and being the good guy that I am brought it to a pet hospital.  Now understand that I was not excited about this rabbit because it was taking up “all about me time” with Jesus. I had thought about just leaving it and someone else picking it up, or just letting it get eaten, but something made me stop and care for this animal.

As I drove home and I thought about the whole event I felt God slowly speak to me.  That at times I am consumed about what I am accomplishing in this life and what name I am making for myself, that God could care less.  That it is what God wants me to be that is important. I was so focused on myself that God was reminding me that even something as small as a rabbit is important to Him.  That sometimes I get so caught up in me that I fail to notice the beautiful things that are important to God.  To God it is not always about the big things in life, more often it is all about the little things.  God was reminding me to not lose sight of all that He is doing around me because of what I am wanting Him to do for me.  He was teaching me that if He wanted me to only focus on something as insignificant as a rabbit that it was worth while.

Jesus had come to rest at the home of two sisters Mary and Martha. Martha begins running around making sure everything is perfect and Mary simply sits at Jesus feet and listens to Him.  Martha is understandably upset that Mary is not helping and tells Jesus to tell Mary to help!  Jesus responds,

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Today notice the “rabbits”.

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Luke 16:10

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Luke 10

Ask God first

2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” (Nehemiah 2:2-5)

I love this because Nehemiah states that he is afraid.  He knew what it was that he wanted to ask the king but such a large request, with a man that could easily end his life, Nehemiah was understandably afraid!  Notice though that Nehemiah prays before answering the king.  In the midst of the intensity of the situation He prays to God.  We don’t know what he prayed but it was probably along the lines of “God give me strength cause this is crazy!”  Nehemiah was bold and courageous because he knew what needed to be done in order to save Jerusalem, yet Nehemiah knew where His courage comes from and who was in control.

What I have learned from this is that I should do absolutely nothing without God.  That my life should always be a conversation with Him and any decisions need to start and end with God.  That even if I am afraid I am to follow through, because I have confidence that I have placed God first and that He is going before me.  To often I try and do it without God or ask Him to come in at bless it after I have already done everything!  God needs to be first in all of my undertakings and not last. Even if that is a simple prayer before asking a King for permission to build a wall!

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Nehemiah 2

No YOU Pray

Took the family out to a nice after church dinner.  This is always a gamble as to how my children will behave.  This night proved to be a terrible gambling night!  The kids were all over the place.  You know it is bad when the section you are sitting slowly start to clear out and no one else is sitting near you!   In the midst of the chaos was the attempt to pray and thank God for our dinner. Right before we did this I asked the waiter  (Matt) if there was anything that I could pray for him for. He said the there was and that he and his father were in need of reconciliation.  He asked that we pray for them to put aside their anger and begin speaking to each other once more.  You could see the hurt on his face and that this was affecting him deeply, so as a family we got to pray for this young man and his father. It was a blessing for us to pray for him.  Than the chaos again ensued!

“Than Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” Luke 18:1

Christ never missed opportunities to pray for others or alone by Himself.  He was a man that fully understood the power of prayer and what it can do.  Prayer is simply talking to God and is can be done on a daily basis.  Allowing yourself to pray for someone is powerful interceding on their behalf to God is an act of worship.    Make prayer an active part of your day and let people know that you are praying for them.  When you tell someone you will pray for them do it.  If you are in a conversation with someone and they begin telling you something that is difficult in their life, ask to pray for them right than and there.  Praying for others will open your heart to their pain and open your eyes to see Jesus.  It will bless them to know that you are praying and more importantly it will bless you to be able to pray.

(In fact pray for my family and I today.  We have major life changing decisions looming over the horizon and would covet your prayers.)

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Colossians 4:2

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Luke 18