The weird, perplexing, yet empowering politics of God

All I heard from the Lord this morning was John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  John the Baptist said this to his followers because I think they were confused about him having baptized a ton of people, to only be replaced by Jesus the Christ, who was now taking over.  John reminded those people that he himself was not the Christ.  He made way for Him, but he is just a friend to the bridegroom, a loyal friend who rejoices at the bridegroom’s voice.  God blew my mind over this notion.  Over and over and over He said it gently to me in various ways, and He expanded on it.  He said you must decrease so that I may increase, and guess what?  I will increase you!

I know I write about these principles a lot – to be humble, yet exalted.  To decrease in order to be increased.  It’s all a part of the weird, perplexing, yet empowering politics of God.  Anytime you feel you are working in your own power call on God.  Decrease yourself and increase Him.  This will call out a power way beyond your own capability, such that you must glorify Him in all you do.  This notion of course brought me to Matt 6:33, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.”

Letter to Leftie

I went on a prayer retreat a few weeks ago and I had an epiphany.  I realized that I can't be mad at my left brain (or whatever part of the brain, look, I'm not a scientist!) for doing what she does best.  I need to forgive her and just gently remind her that she can relax.  She is the way overprotective best friend.  Here's my letter to her:


Dear Leftie,

I love ya.  I understand why you do what you do.  You have been trained well to protect at all costs, to spring into action and solve problems effectively & quickly.  I know you simply want to protect me from harm, danger, disappointment, loss, humiliation and other things of that nature.  I appreciate you and I appreciate your efforts.  They are not in vain.  This letter is simply a love note to say, it's ok if you take a break.  I give you my full permission to take a beach day!  You can come down off your post and let down your guard -- rightie has some skills as well and she needs the room to use them to her fullest capability.  In order for all of us to go to the next level you (and I for that matter!) are going to have to trust her a lot more.  We’re gonna have to rely on her more, let her take a few risks, let her step out on faith.  And you and I will both remember that God has got us in the palm of His hand.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  We don’t have to have all the answers, the research, all the formulas worked out in advance.  When it’s time for that, don’t worry, we know who to call! : ) But this is a turning point.  You have brought us a long way, but now it’s time to go higher.  And we’ll ALL have to work together in divine harmony with God leading the way.  And if God is leading, it may mean, more often than not, that rightie will have to lead us, as she can hear more directly from Him than the both of us.  And that’s ok.  That’s her forte, her special skill.  Give her the chance to lead and you’ll be amazed where we end up.  In the meantime, enjoy your beach days, you deserve it!!

God-conscious vs. self-conscious

My father’s Daily Word today was great.  (Genesis 3:7)  It talked about the shift Adam and Eve had after the fall when they went from being God-conscious to self-conscious.  It hit me like a ton of bricks.  Of course I may find it difficult to get into a higher, more spiritual place of connection to God.  We spend the majority of our time in this temporal place called Earth where we are physically bound by time and space.  Our lower selves fight everyday for survival and they are well trained to protect and survive at all costs.  So those of us that want to seek God, that want to rise above the clutter, must seek, scratch, and claw our way into a closer connection with the Almighty.  We are unfortunately naturally cut off due to the actions of the first man.
 
I think this is why, at the core, I love music.  It was perhaps the first thing, when I really learned to let go, that brought me way closer to God than I had ever been.  It allowed me to go beyond the temporal into a special and more sacred place.  A place I couldn’t easily access with my 5 senses.  And this is the place I love to go!  And what is interesting about a God-conscious perspective is that it alleviates nervousness or anxiety about performing (at the very last second of course :).  Knowing that it’s truly for His glory, not mine.  Knowing that He has my life in the palm of His hand so I don’t have to fear the outcomes.  This brings a peace that is so far beyond by understanding I can’t help but get excited! (Phil 4: 7) 


And so, as I aim to continue to access my Higher Self, to connect to the Holy Spirit and seek God’s face, I remember to have patience.  Patience with the lower self that has been trained for many, many years to survive by analyzing, thinking, planning, preparing, controlling (or trying to control) all of the circumstances.  Patience with that self as it begins to trust the Higher Self.  To let go of its need for control.  I recognize also that along with patience is a need for practice.  We must let the Higher Self do its “work” each day so that it too can develop a strong muscle.  We must deny aspects of our flesh that we know are just the lower self, aching for attention.  (Romans 12:1) We cannot be the same as we once were.  One of the Elders at one of our churches said to me “if you want something to change you have to do something different.”   So simple right?  And so, Higher Self, Holy Spirit, I welcome your guidance and wisdom and direction.