COFFEE ON THE DOCK

One of mankind’s obsessions, no matter the cultural context or location, is a fascination with very old things. The simple truth is, very old things are valued because our human experience tells us most things eventually go away. While painful at times, there is a wonderful freedom in the discovery that nothing in this life is permanent. The human soul was created by God to live in eternal covenant and therefore longs for things that last, so much so that we stubbornly ignore the temporariness of this world. We pretend that earthly things are more transcendent than they can possibly be, then feel shocked when they are not. Eternal Father, You alone are boundless. You have set eternity in our hearts that we may rightly measure this life as compared to the next. Help me hold temporary things of this world loosely while gripping eternal things with all my might. 

I am almost always in a hurry to arrive at the destination so I usually plan my route well in advance. Forced detours rarely make me happy at first, but some of my most pleasant moments of travel came as a result of going off the beaten path. Every part of my soul needs refreshing and retooling. Doing the same things the same way over and over may be comforting on the surface, but my heart longs for greater heights. To seriously follow after the things of God is to guarantee constant detours and new ground covered. Father, You created me for divine destinations. Grant me grace to take the path of Your choosing. 

As of late, I am being drawn into a deeper place. This newest spiritual progress requires little outward action, however, a lot is happening inwardly. Past growth means little in this moment; this is a new day and only the present counts here. Attitudes, commitments and practices are being put to the test; new excitement and passion is gurgling and the level of anticipation is rising. In the same manner wind announces weather changes, God’s stirring of the heart announces spiritual advance. Shepherd of My Soul, I thank You for fresh winds. Help me to not take shortcuts. O Lord My Guide, be magnified in me. 

Every season of life brings its own joys and disappointments; however, letdowns seem to accrue more easily than gladness. The Psalms reveal King David as a man of profound faith, yet he found it necessary to remind himself of God’s blessings and to command his own soul to praise the LORD. Even a quick inventory of things for which I can be thankful ignites my heart, releasing joy and praise in every circumstance. I must lift my eyes from the temporal pains and look to the Giver of Life. O Lord my God, my heart is jubilant as I contemplate Your Goodness, which bestows inextinguishable gladness. 

When Scripture speaks of "dying to self" it is not referring to the person God uniquely created us to be, it is pointing to the alternate person, the “self” we have created in our own minds. This stand-in person is bathed in human ego. Ego is nothing but a collection of human ideas; it is useless, it is nothing but a false center. Death to "self" in a biblical sense releases our true personhood from the shackles of ego. This true self, created in God's image is designed to please God and to fulfill His purpose. Father, liberate me from the heavy chains of ego. Dearest LORD, of my self, I can do nothing, yet through You I can do all things. 

After viewing an episode of the Three Stooges in which a bucket of water was placed over a partially opened door, I thought I would give it a try. As a young boy I could not get the container in place without spilling all the water so I used Lincoln Logs instead. I neither killed nor maimed anyone, but I did get in really big trouble for releasing an avalanche of logs onto my brother. Frankly, I still require constant oversight and correction. Thankfully, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights, God demonstrates His relentless love for me by His careful, steady discipline. Heavenly Father, I do not resent Your correction, for by it You point me to the way of blessing and joy. MY heart is at rest in Your protective embrace. 

My first Big Apple deli experience many years ago, with a huge menu on the wall, lots of people crowded into a small space and an impatient worker demanding an immediate decision made me want to head for the exit. New York City is intimidating for the rookie; tall buildings, scampering pedestrians, honking taxies, constant noise, and glitzy stores combine to overwhelm the uninitiated. To take hold of the Kingdom can at times feel the same; holy things can seem unreachable, too high or too much for me to navigate, but God places His Kingdom within us and transforms our nature to lay hold of it. High and Lofty One, Most Merciful Father, the wholly unapproachable becomes fully embraceable because of Your redeeming love. Lord, I stand in awe of You.