sacred strokes

Life can be hard, can’t it?  Whatever the specifics may be, it is more likely than not that you are experiencing something difficult in your life on any given day.  We each have burdens on our hearts for others, struggles in our own lives, and things we wish we could simply snap our fingers to change or resolve in the way which seems best to us.

Christians know that when we feel such weight, we can bring it to the Lord in prayer.  Philippians 4:6 tells us “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” We share our concerns and requests with Jesus and often prayer helps to alleviate the weight we feel, even bringing a sense of comfort or peace.  Prayer is powerful, both physically and spiritually.

But there is a nuance I have been considering lately as I reflect on my own prayer life and how I go about verbalizing these things when they are laid on my heart.

The question I’m pondering is:  Am I inviting Jesus into these areas, or am I instructing Jesus about these areas?

I have been thinking lately on the importance of inviting Jesus into every area of our lives.  Intentionally and regularly and wholeheartedly, with a full access pass.  It is far easier said than done, and I realize that so often when we think we are inviting Him into areas of our lives, it’s more of a restricted access kind of deal or perhaps rather accompanied with an itinerary which we expect Him to follow when He arrives on scene.

A good example to think of as I ponder through this is that of a relationship, whether a marriage or other romantic relationship, a friendship, a family relationship, dynamics with a colleague, etc.  How many times do I pray asking for specific outcomes or changes within someone, within our relationship or even within myself?  I can’t know the number, but I know it’s essentially 100% of the time that I have any concerns or desires regarding any relational aspect of my life.  I pray for the outcomes that I desire the Lord to help make happen. 

And I want to say right upfront that I don’t think there is the slightest thing wrong with this.  If we are praying honestly from our hearts, I don’t know that it can ever be “wrong” and I’m of the opinion that God wants to hear from us no matter where we find ourselves, even if we are being grudgy or selfish in the moment.  He knows it all anyway, so why not choose to bring it up with Him, lay it all out in the open before Him, and allow Him to speak into it and recalibrate our thoughts and feelings on the matter?

That said, I should not stop at simply informing the Lord about how I want Him to respond regarding that particular relationship.  I need to also continually invite Jesus into the relationship and trust Him with all that He will do. 

See, if we only instruct Jesus and do not also invite Jesus, we are likely a bit misguided in our concept of prayer, or perhaps driven by non-ideal motives – even if unbeknownst to us as our hearts are tricky little buggers sometimes.

So, the main question to keep myself in check:  Do I pray with the simple yet earnest invitation for Jesus to enter into an area or circumstance of my life (outcomes be whatever they will) for the sake of having Jesus right there in it with me?  Telling Him that what matters most is His presence, even if the whole scene or situation turns out differently than I would choose at the time? 

That may seem like simple words, but meaning it is much tougher.  It requires a humility that can be difficult to muster or attain as we acknowledge that the Lord is the One with the real power, that any sense of control we have is false and fleeting, and that we certainly do not always know best.  And… He always does.

The thing is that, sometimes, this means that relationships will alter or even end.  Sometimes, the way we spend our time will drastically change.  Sometimes, the way we manage our finances will be upended.  Some areas of our lives may not be in alignment with the Lord’s desires and plans for our lives.  Even while Jesus has defeated death and bridged the chasm created between God and man by the sin of humanity, sin still today creates a rift between us and God. When we choose to cling to our instructions for Jesus rather than extend a true invitation for Him to enter (or if we only offer restricted access), He may not work in those areas of our lives the way He will if we are truly open and receptive to what He will do.

A specific example is prayer over a health concern.  Perhaps we are comfortable praying that the Lord will help our heart condition to improve, but we don’t want to invite Him into the whole overall arena of our health because there are certain things, like our poor diet or excessive alcohol use or lack of sufficient sleep, that we just frankly don’t want Him to get involved in even if they play a role in the very issue we are praying about.  The thought might be that if we open up that can, it could mess with our entire lifestyle and we’re gonna pass on switching any of that up.

We are worried to open the can of worms, so to speak.  But what if those worms are exactly what we need to hand over to Jesus in order for Him to make us more successful fishers of men?  What if we will be more fruitful for the Kingdom, and what if our lives bring God more glory by opening up that can and handing it over to Jesus?  It’s a can of nothing short of miraculous potential when we give it all to Jesus.  And I think most of us know this.  So then why do we have such a hard time inviting Jesus into certain places?

It can feel scarier at first to invite rather than instruct.  What if Jesus does something different than we want Him to?  What if His presence so changes the situation that doors close that we had wanted to remain at least a little ajar?  What if we have a conviction about something that we don’t currently feel any inclination to change?  What if He dares* ask us to surrender or suffer something for His glory?

*I say this facetiously.

In fact, I think we should understand and even expect exactly those kinds of results when we truly invite Jesus in.  When Jesus showed up, things sure changed, didn’t they?  Even still, when Jesus arrives, things change.  Boy, do they change!  Perhaps something we ought to wrestle with more is when they don’t.  Have we simply pinpointed the results we wish for Him to give us, or are we inviting Him in to do whatever work necessary in our lives? 

I believe that Jesus will enter any place to meet me, but is there any place I am not inviting Him to enter? Am I simply instructing Him as I inform Him of my desired outcomes?  Do I value the results over the relationship with Jesus, or am I trusting Him to work out all things for the good according to His purposes? 

Romans 8:28 encourages us that “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Lord, help us to know.  Help us to believe.  Help us to trust.

Trust.  That’s what it all comes down to.  Do I trust Jesus enough to invite Him to enter every area of my life?  Or are there areas where I politely redirect Him to a “safer” or more comfortable place for Him to step into?  I hate to think that I might stand, arms crossed, in front of some doorway that I just don’t want Him walking through with me.

We’re all learning and growing as we go.  Ever deeper, ever more into our relationship with our Lord and Savior.  Not one of us could get by without His daily grace.  What a gift is His love for us.  He loves you, and He will show you time and again.  Allow Him to get involved in every aspect of your life.  Go ahead, invite Him in.

Revelation 3:20,

HLC