COFFEE ON THE DOCK

Even a casual peek through the biblical window into the Heavenly City reveals a miraculous place. Things considered so precious here on earth will be no more than pavement and building material in the New Jerusalem. Resplendent with the Light of Our Savior, a Sea of Glass, a heavenly host beyond number; is it any wonder that God sends miracles into this world to proclaim the nature of the world to come. Lord God of Beauty and Power beyond description, I welcome Your marvels and mighty works in this world that announce a miraculous eternity in the next. Come quickly Lord.

The diversity of people is as much a gift of God as any other treasure He offers. While differences engender many difficulties, they also provide ample opportunity to learn the many angles of love. Like a diamond turned in light, every person reveals another facet of God’s imprint upon each of us. Even those wholly unaware of His Person and Presence become a necessary part of discovering the breadth and depth of God’s love. Lover of My Soul, I praise Your for the beauty of Your image upon all Your creation. As I travel among those who bare Your image, teach me more of Your love as I give and receive it today. 

I have a lifelong tendency to take chances. Sometimes it serves me well, such as when spiritual opportunities present themselves; after all, a boat tied to the dock never knows the joys of open water. Being adverse to risk often keeps us from taking leaps of faith, But recklessness is dangerous. For instance, thoughtless words can easily damage relationships. Recklessness can endanger our physical wellbeing, our testimony to others or even our faith. Lord of Faith and Wisdom, bring Spirit-controlled balance to my character and behaviors today. Help me take leaps of faith not foolish plunges. 

Love requires study. A mother loves her child for many reasons, but one powerful source of her love is that she studies her child. Her intense desire to understand this tiny new person in her arms requires more than a mere glance or a passive ear. Real love requires study. If I want to dismiss people I don't understand I can simply place them in a prejudiced category I have available and leave them there. God never does that. Instead, His Eye is constantly upon us, His ears attuned to our slightest whimper. And as Father of All, He requires that we, as his children, seek to understand the other objects of His love. Selah. 

Spiritual laziness is a constant nemesis. It is easy to be tricked into thinking that Christian activity is spiritual fervor. David had been a successful king for quite a while when “at the time of battle” he was in the palace instead of where he belonged. His moral fall came when he was enjoying the fruit of his efforts while ignoring his responsibility to remain at the battlefront. Each of us needs rest, but more importantly, we must learn to rest while we run. We must disengage from our own efforts but never from our daily obedience. Oh Lord my Keeper, deliver me from worldly contentment. In all my ways pull me toward You. 

The Master saw Nathanael approaching and said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." Nothing false, what an amazing endorsement! I long to be that kind of person but ridding oneself of falsehood is more difficult than I thought it would be. Progress has been made, but still I struggle. Learning to live with wide-open heart and hands requires maintaining a “no strings attached” attitude that only deep love for truth can sustain. Lord of Light, take me to the next level. Whatever is false, whatever is impure, whatever is disingenuous, exterminate from me now. 

After hearing the advice and counsel of all others, even those worthy of highest regard, there are those occasions when no human input will suffice. After all earthly effort is fully exhausted there is something more, much more. In that crucial moment there is but one choice, we must turn our face to the wall and pray to the Lord Our God. No human intervention is necessary or welcome in that instant, it is holy space where only the Almighty may speak. It is not a place of desperation, it is where hope begins. O Lord my God, at the termination of my meanderings Your Glory is unveiled.