Im sure the first reaction to the title of this post is raising eyebrows! Well, the tension that I am pondering is not to be confused with tension as in headache or stress,but rather the tension, or balance if you will, between the enjoyment of the beauty of God’s creation and liberty, and the inevitable pain, suffering, and struggles we will encounter in the Christian walk.

Throughout the bible we are told to be humble, rejoice in suffering,expect ridicule, and endure hardship. Yet, conversely we are reminded to rejoice in the Lord, observe the heavens that show His glory, savor the beauty of this earth, know that He is with us, that He cares for us, love us, and will answer our prayers if we are found righteous!

As I continue in my walk with Christ, I am daily experiencing the “tension” of keeping my shoulder to the plow as I give up my selfish wants to become more like Christ by doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God. It is easy to immerse yourself into the struggles…the bending and twisting that is part of our daily path to knowing Christ and doing His will. Sometimes it just plain hurts require have a difficult time understanding why God would allow His dear children to suffer so.

The other side of the “tension” allows us to enjoy the beauty of creation, the marvels of science and technology, and the precious relationships that we hold so dear. It would be so wonderful to be able to wake every morning with the windows open and a balmy mountain or shoreline breeze (your choice) only to spend time in the word and prayer on a scenic balcony or deck. The rest of th day would then be filled with special times with family and experiencing the splendor of creation.

Well now comes the tension…should it be so tight that it is more painful and undesirable? Or, should it be as a carefully wound string on an instrument that can sound a beautiful symphony?

For me, I think it’s the symphony! Thought there are days when we must practice relentlessly and tune our instrument, there are also the days when we can rest and enjoy the melody that has been wrought. It helps me to remember at the instrument, the thing of beauty has been given to us by our Saviour with His instruction on tuning and execution. In this life we will have some beautiful concerts, and some duds. We will continue to work on the piece every day as we prepare for the ultimate symphony where we will play unencumbered before the master in a place of rejoicing,without the pain and cares of this world.

What we must remember is that the tensions of this world is preparation for the kingdom to come. For now we can embrace the toughness in life, while enjoying but small glimpses of the magnificence of heaven. We must be free in knowing that we will suffer but God also has provided much to rejoice in. We must seek to find a little margin now and again to enjoy His creation and worship Him for all He has done and created. “Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!”

I received  a precious letter this morning that impacted me beyond the intent of the writer. This letter is from the daughter of a College classmate who has been serving overseas in missions for several years.

The letter, which was beautifully written, informed us of what God is doing in her life at school, in her heart, and plans for a missions trip to Jamaica this summer. As I read, it amazed me at the clarity God has given this young woman as to the direction she is to follow. Near the end of the letter she shared a verse that seemed to leap off the page and into my heart. Mark 9:23-24 says,

²³ “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

 ²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Sometime we all get so busy and overlook some real blessing. Most times I scan such letters to get the highlights and rarely take the time to read the letter.

As you can see these verses alone contain some truth but need some context if you are not familiar with the story. Jesus had just come down from the “Mount of Transfiguration” where a crowd was gathering around the disciples. A man in the crowd had brought his son to be healed from epilepsy and not being able to speak. Just before verse 23 the boy’s father said “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” that’s when Jesus answered: “IF you can??? Everything is possible for him who believes.”

As I read these word I immediately began to look inward at my life and realized how unbelieving I truly am. Circumstances become difficult and I still after all these years of walking with Christ, I seek to work it out myself while praying only with an “If you can” attitude.

I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit within that guides me and makes “catches” like this in a letter that I may have otherwise scanned. I am thankful too for a college Junior that was an example of faith to this seasoned old dude. May God raise up more like her, that break beyond the cultural norms to let their faith shine before a dying world. I am truly blessed..and yes, Jesus can.

Most of us are familiar with the phrase: “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?”!

Well, that describes how I titled this post. All my life I have been pounded with the reality and power of prayer but save for a few scattered inner revivals, I don’t think I have really embraced prayer the way it is meant to be embraced.

We all say the prayers of desperation when things aren’t going well or we are in crisis. I have been no exception. After such time as I have exhausted my own efforts, I would then and only then “resort” to prayer! Pretty sure I’m not alone.

What I am discovering (again) is that prayer is so much more than asking for what I need or want. The Bible tells us that sometimes prayers are groanings especially when applied to the Holy Spirit praying to the Father on our behalf. (Romans 8:26). In Luke 18 Christ instructs to “pray without ceasing”. We all know that this is the time when we can speak with our God and Savior.

Our Pastor has a great passion for prayer and has been encouraging us to be better and more intentional people of prayer. The Church recently moved a weekly prayer meeting to Tuesday nights so that more of the folks who minister on Wednesdays can make it. Since I am in Choir the day change is perfect for me. Though the group is smaller that it should be, it is an intimate, transparent, and unified time of petition, pleading, and praising directed to our Lord. Prayer is totally contageous! If you spend time with your brothers and sisters in prayer it is so unifying. Many people seeking the same purpose.

My prayer for me and my dear brothers and sisters in Christ is that we can learn to remove the barriers of social strata, embarrassment, awkwardness, etc, and just embrace the gift of prayer as we lift one another up, whether we are grieving, rejoicing, crying out or groaning.

It just amazes me that when I am feeling distant from my faith and my God, I will be resistant to prayer and reading of the word as I wallow in my self pity or hopelessness, or whatever the current obstacle. What I so easily forget is that music is a part of me that seems to have a direct connection to my soul!

I have always been deeply into music and have a wide variety that was selected because of its beauty, a situation or place in my life when I first heard it, or for the way it cuts through the tangled web we call life. The latter is perhaps the most profound and important value for music in my life.

There have been times when a simple but meaningful text will cut directly to the heart of the matter at hand. Without a moments notice good music or text will minister directly to the need without the need of coaxing. Suddenly the answer I have been seeking lay bare before me because of a simple yet profound lyric.

Once the music has drawn me in and provided the initial balm of healing, it is then my heart and soul is softened to the point of pouring out in prayer and devouring the scriptures for more truth. There is no question that God uses music to draw us to Him. (Just read the Psalms!)

Today the song that brought me in was a classic Keith Green that is so simple but so real, so true for most of us at times. I wish for you to be bathed in the oil and wine today…as I have been.

“My eyes are dry
My faith is old
My heart is hard
My prayers are cold
And I know how I ought to be
Alive to you and dead to me
Oh, what can be done for an old heart like mine
Soften it up with oil and wine
The oil is you, Your Spirit of love
Please wash me anew in
The wine of Your blood” ~Keith Green