All You Need is Love

It's funny how God gets my attention sometimes.

There are occasional days that I seriously struggle with my attitude. I catch myself being snippy with my kids, or I get really worked up about traffic or something equally aggravating, but not necessarily important in the grand scheme of life.

I realize that something is out of whack, yet the struggle continues, because it's an inner issue, deep in my heart. Nobody on the outside would ever realize the epic battle within. (Well, except for the child to whom I'm snippy.) But for me it can be intense, not to mention frustrating.

Then, suddenly, I'll notice myself humming a particular song. The Holy Spirit simply places a song in my head, and out it comes. So I've learned to pay attention to what I'm singing. When I actually listen to what is coming out of my mouth, it never fails to astonish me...it's precisely what I need to hear.

Like the song above. It's an old Beatles song, from the year 19-who knows when. And God uses it to tell me that I'm running low on love. HIS love.

Once this realization hits, I laugh. I continue singing. And I thank God for speaking to my heart through a song. Then I ask Him to fill me and flood me with love.

His love.

And He does exactly that. Which makes me grateful--and a lot less snippy.

God is love. And really, love is all you need.

"He who does not love has not become acquainted with God - does not and never did know Him; for God is love." 1 John 4:8

A Tough Road

A boulder-filled road slammed with massive craters, huge tree trunks, and abandoned cars stretches before me. I bring my car to a stop because there’s no way it can go any further. From here on, I’ll be walking. I step out, my feet landing on thick brown dirt with ridges as hard as granite.

My trendy shoes are no match for this jagged terrain. I struggle forward, carefully navigating each tricky step. Within minutes I’m perspiring from the exertion, yet I’ve only moved a few yards. A few other people are here on this wreck of a road with me, looking as dazed and overwhelmed as I’m beginning to feel.

I wonder how anyone can consistently move forward here, but I have no choice. It’s impossibly hard, yet nothing in me wants to turn around and go back to my comfortable car. This isn’t the road I started out on, but somehow I understand this road will take me where I need to be.

Do you ever feel like the road you’re on is so impossibly hard that you’ll never be able to move forward? The scene above is from a dream God gave me. It could also be a scene from my life right now. God is allowing my family to undergo many intense medical issues. Yet in spite of how much I dislike it, I firmly believe that God is in it.

I hear Him whispering to me, “Will you follow me if I lead you the hard way? Will you trust Me even when I take you the way you don’t want to go? Will you allow me to strengthen you in the midst of the journey?”

And the kicker: “Will you worship me in the midst of your suffering?”

I think that when we choose to worship God in the middle of our hard road, it’s as close to worshipping Him in Spirit and in Truth as we can get. God is honored when we worship him in spite of difficult circumstances.

"God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). John 4:24 (Amplified Bible)

How about you? Will you trust God even when He takes you the way you don't want to go? Are you willing to worship God in the midst of your difficult road?

Are You a Dream Chaser?

Certain seasons in our lives are as easy and uncomplicated as a hammock ride. Other times require the stamina of a world-class rock climber.

Like when we're chasing a dream.

A dream is easy to envision. Fun, even. But often as we pursue our dream reality sets in, the thrill fades, and we find ourselves struggling, fighting, and overwhelmed. Ecclesiastes 5:3 says “For a dream comes with much business and painful effort.” No dream becomes a reality without a price.

As we strive toward our dreams, the enemy's strategy is to impede us so we won’t fight for what is rightfully ours. Giants of Intimidation, Insecurity, and Fear taunt us, just like Goliath taunted to Israel.

1 Samuel 17 shows the Israelites frozen with fear when confronted with Goliath, the Philistine giant from Gath. Standing nearly 10 feet tall, Goliath wore custom armor that made him appear even more intimidating. No one dared stand up to him, until a young shepherd boy heard his mocking words and decided enough was enough. David clearly heard the taunts of the enemy, but refused to believe his words. David’s relationship with the Lord was so real, so strong, that the enemy’s boast meant nothing to him. A mere adolescent, he triumphed over the giant.

Are you a dream chaser? When we run after our dreams, we will have to battle a few giants. But if we are serious, we will persevere. Our success in slaying the giants in our lives is determined by:

1. Our willingness to confront the enemy. In verse 48, we see that David ran quickly to meet Goliath. No hesitation. No fear. Boldly. And with utter confidence.
   
   
2. Our past successes with God. In verses 34-37 David explains to Saul that he has already slain a lion and a bear. When we are intimidated by the enemy, we can remember past triumphs, reminding ourselves of our God-given abilities and God's faithfulness.


3. Knowing the Lord intimately. David spent his days worshiping and conversing with God while he tended his father’s flock.When we remain close to and intimate with the Lord, the enemy's taunts will never sway us.


4. A confidence and understanding that the battle is the Lord’s. This doesn’t excuse us from action and doing our part, but rather, reveals a deep knowing within us that God is our ultimate source and strength.
   
   

Dream chasers are characterized by a willingness to pursue their God-given goals in spite of the giants opposing them. They run forward, expecting to triumph.

Tell me about the dream you are chasing, and what giant you might be facing.

How to Follow Through When You Say You'll Pray

Have you ever promised to pray for someone--and then completely forgotten about it? I have. I'm not only frustrated by my failure to pray, I'm embarrassed--especially when I run into my friend later.

The truth is, we need each other's prayers. Yet most of us juggle multiple responsibilities. From the moment we wake up until we drop into bed at day's end, we're busy. So, how do we make good on the promise to pray for someone? Here are some strategies I've developed to help me back up my words with action.

• Write it down. If you don't have a prayer list, make one. Then place it where you'll see it regularly--like inside your Bible, next to your bed, or, if necessary, tape it to your bathroom mirror.
  
  
• Ask God to remind you. He will. Expect to be reminded while you're busy doing something else. Determine to pray on the spot for your friend, just as soon as you receive the prompting. If you must, excuse yourself to the restroom for a few minutes.
  
  
• Schedule it in your planner/Blackberry/Daytimer. As in: Monday, 9:30 - pray for Angela.
  
• Stay in touch with your friend. E-mail her or drop her a pretty note card reminding her that you're praying. Ask how things are going so you can pray specifically. This not only encourages your friend, it keeps you accountable while you pray her through.
  
  
• Remember, it's okay to pray for someone for a limited time. You can tell your friend, "I'll pray for you this week." I regularly modify my prayer list, crossing off one person and adding another as God leads and situations change. This way I don't have an unrealistic, never-ending prayer list.
  
  
• If you don't feel like you can manage to pray regularly for her right now, don't make the offer. You can always pray with her just once on the phone, over lunch, or whenever else you get together. Better one sincere prayer together than a promise you probably won't keep.
  
  

The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective (see James 5:16), but only if we actually pray them. With these simple strategies and God's help, we can follow through on our prayer commitments.

And we'll have the blessing of knowing we're partnering with God in other's lives.