COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few,” Matthew 7:14 (ESV). Long before satellite navigation was possible in a car, our family was traveling in the Smokey Mountains. After unfolding and studying a map, I took a road that looked like a good shortcut for us. As the road narrowed and became a curvy, steep plunge, I doubted my decision and stopped to ask a man if the road we were on would lead to where I was trying to go. He answered: “yep!” with a nod. Then he slowly surveyed our soccer-mom-van filled with four young children and said: “Mister, you don’t want to go that way.” We turned around and thankfully missed whatever peril he knew awaited us. Father, keep me from taking perilous shortcuts as I journey this day. Guide me to what is best. May my choices please You and always lead to Your perfect will. 

“To you, I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” Psalm 123:1 ESV. While on a morning walk, I scanned the bright blue sky above me and counted over thirty contrails slicing across the azure canopy. The wispy white streaks silently announced the passing of high-flying passenger planes filled with travelers and cargo. So much was happening above me, yet I would have missed it all if I had not looked upward. How much in life do I miss for failure to follow King David’s example by lifting my eyes? While keeping our noses to the grindstone on earth, we must do so with our eyes and heart toward God’s throne above. I need a daily Eye Lift. To You, I lift up my eyes. Lord of Glory, You continually act within heaven to enforce Your will here on earth, whether I notice or not. Father, point the way for me this day. 

“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians 4:15 ESV. Honesty is typically poorly timed and clumsily delivered. The reason for this is simple, the underlying motivation to say: "let me be honest" is most often rooted in a personal need for change rather than out of divine love for the other person. God always speaks truth with the purest of motives, while much of the time, we do not. We mostly speak up when we fear losing something, missing an opportunity,  or being harmed in some way. Honesty, in this case, is no more than our intent to control our surroundings. God always speaks the truth as an act of love, granting the hearer the chance to know a perfect way forward. Father, You are Love and Truth. Teach me Your ways. Purify my heart and put Your coals of fire to my lips. Help me speak the truth in love. 

“Do not be like the horse  or  like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.” Psalm 32:9 NKJV. As big, beautiful, and strong as horses are, they are highly susceptible to panic. Horses have a natural “fight or flight response” that serves them well in the wild, but it can also be dangerous for them and others. I panic sometimes, but a life bridled by God’s leading hand will always turn us in the right direction. I am constrained and comforted by His perfect love, expunging fear from my soul. Hope and faith are the constant companions of those who trust God. Lord of Life, You set the captive free and set our feet dancing on the hilltops. Make Your Love my constant guide and use me for Your purposes. Bridle my heart, mind, and choices today, and may my ways always be wise and pleasing to You.  

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you,” Luke 6:27-28 ESV. I was driving along many years ago when a large Irish Setter ran into the street from between two parked cars. I didn’t see him quickly enough to avoid contact, but I hit the brakes hard and fast. My vehicle only bumped him slightly. I leaped out to check on him, and he was under my van, not seriously hurt but dazed and confused. I reached toward him to comfort him and he and snarled, crawled quickly from underneath the van, and ran away. His snarl and refusal of help were not personal; he reacted out of pain and confusion. When hurting, people will often do the same. It can be brutal, but genuine love is authenticated in these moments, and shallow love is exposed. Father, forgive my snarling resistances to Your loving touch. When others react to me as I have to You, please grant me the same patient mercy for them that You always exte...

“A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul,” Proverbs 18:7 ESV. Each of us has been maligned at one time or another. It is equally true that each of us has maligned others, allowing inappropriate words to spill from our lips. Knowing how damaging and painful false judgments can be, we must take great care in forming and vocalizing our opinions before our thoughts have been bathed in love and truth. It is foolish to carelessly say whatever we think; loose talk starts wars, breaks hearts, and destroys relationships. Glorious God, forgive my indiscretions and brutish ways. Cleanse my mind of vain imaginations and govern my lips with wisdom and discretion. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer,” Psalm 19:14 ESV. 

“The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!” Psalm 119:64 ESV. God has established laws by which all things in creation are kept in order. Physical laws like gravity and motion are essential for Universal Order. In like manner, spiritual laws are critical to our existence as God’s children. The Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit are not simply needed “add-ons” to our lives; they must be our constant “go-tos” for daily instructions on what we should do and how we should live. A life devoid of the infusion of the Word of God and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit is destined for confusion, weakness, and self-centeredness. But a life saturated with the Word and Spirit of God prepares us for living as partners of The Almighty and tears away the limits on how and where He can use us. LORD, thank You for Your Word and Spirit. Teach me and use me as You will this new day.