Hands...

I have a job I really like. My job is to warm Jina's hands. We've done a lot of walking since I've been here. It has been cold, and as we've walked, I've noticed her hands are cold. They're tiny hands. Mine are big, and they make good warmers. From time to time, I'll change sides so the warming is even. The other day, she asked, "Why are your hands so warm?" I told her it's because of my warm heart. I know, I know. But it works with her... Actually, I get warm pretty easily and don't need as much outside warmth as other people. So, I like the feel of her cool hands. As I hold them, my extra warmth transfers to her, benefiting both of us.

As I live close to Jesus Christ and allow God to fill me with His Holy Spirit, my heart overflows with His love. He fills my cup to the brim and overflowing. As I touch the lives of others, the warmth of God's love is transferred to them. They may not realize the source, but it is God's "...streams of living water flow[ing] from deep within..." (John 7:38). My hope is that I will always be a willing channel for God's love in other people's lives.

Tonight as we sat in church I took off my jacket, and Jina took it and put it on her lap for the extra warmth. I asked, "Do you want my gloves?" Smiling, she squeezed my hand and said, "I have gloves."

Does God Know Everything?

Yesterday I saw the last few minutes of “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Jesus was before Pilate and Herod. Then He was scourged and crucified. While on the cross He uttered words that have always held a bit of mystery for me. He cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” As a young Christian, I wondered, “Did Jesus not understand why He was there?” Even though God the Son humbled and limited Himself, I thought surely He fully understood His mission and the events that would occur.

As I have grown in my faith, God has revealed answers to many such mysteries. Here, Jesus is not confused about His purpose. He knew well beforehand the gravity of the suffering He would endure. In fact, He was so aware of what would happen that He prayed for His Father to do something else “if it is possible.” With full knowledge of the task at hand, He expressed His genuine fear and dread.

Since before Creation…before time in fact, God the Son has known intimacy with God the Father. We, however, have rare moments of real intimacy with God and are overwhelmed by the experience. Jesus lived there…24/7. What we have difficulty imagining, Jesus counted as normal. When He hung there on the cross, He took on the guilt and responsibility of the sin of the whole world. And God the Father turned away.

Some translations use the word “abandoned.” God the Father turned His back on sin, and in doing so He abandoned His Son. For the first time ever, God the Son felt the utter despair of full and complete separation from God the Father. Like we are overwhelmed by intimacy with God, Jesus was overcome by separation. It was worse actually. When Jesus cried out, “My God, my God…” He was not confused about the work. He was expressing His shock and confusion, His despair, His aloneness. He was crying out, “Where are You?”

Does God know everything? Yes, He does. He knows my sin. He knows the penalty. He knows the shame, the despair, the separation. He knows these things and more…so that I don’t have to.

What Is Prayer?

Most people pray…to something or someone. We who have met the risen Christ have learned that only through Him do our prayers have meaning or achieve any result. Proverbs 15:29 tells us “…He hears the prayer of the righteous.” James 5:16 says, “The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.” The righteous have placed their complete faith in Jesus Christ… for forgiveness… for peace… for fulfillment… for everything.

We are inhabited by the very Spirit of God who “…intercedes for us…” (Romans 8:26). Even when we don’t know what or how to pray, the Holy Spirit speaks for us as we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Prayer can be spoken or silent, private or public, kneeling, prostrate, standing or arms outstretched. Righteous prayer is sincere, honest and open. Prayer is based on trust and a relationship that develops over time.

Recently I gained a new perspective on prayer. I was directing our Christmas Musical and we arrived at a particularly difficult section. When using recorded accompaniment, it is difficult during softer sections to keep the choir in pace with the music. With my ear turned toward the monitor, I concentrated as we began. It was a stressful moment, and I instinctively called out to God for help, but with all that I was doing, no words would come to my mind. Instead I simply looked up in my spirit at my Father.

It was a defining moment. Right then, I realized that prayer is more than just words. Prayer is a five year old glancing up at his father for reassurance. A wordless expression of trust in the only source of strength he knows. Prayer is communication based on a deep, proven relationship. I looked up to Him for reassurance. He smiled at me, filling me with peace and encouragement.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” The Holman translations says, “Pray constantly.” Prayer is more than words. It is constant awareness of your Father’s presence. Look up to Him. See His smile. Feel His peace. Hold His hand.