Little Gems

Here it is 11:30 at night on a Thursday and I should be in bed. We are driving to St. Louis tomorrow morning leaving around 8 or 9 in the morning. But I had to get up, to answer the call, at least that’s what I am hoping this is. Otherwise it’s the two glasses of tea talking. Have you ever had one of those nights, where you just lay there, fully awake but fully at rest and at peace? Thoughts going through your mind with ideas and answers that are highly intelligent and fully complete in their construct. Wondering where are you during the day? Or, How the heck did I get so smart? And then you think, maybe I should get up and write this stuff down, this is good. But remember you are so comfortable and peaceful and think to yourself, "This stuff is so good I'll remember it in the morning and write it down then" Or maybe you think, "Man, I have to get up in less than X hours! I can't do that I'll be worn out and wasted. God, let me get to sleep so I will feel good in the morning."

I have and you know what I think, that I just told God I didn't have time for him. That I would rather catch some REM's instead of some gems from God. Kind of amazing to think that, but I believe it. I have to give Him credit for all he has done in my life and that includes my thought life. And since I believe in Christ's birth, death and resurrection, I have the confidence that I received the gift of the Holy Spirit. And when do you think the Holy Spirit speaks to you most. When you're rushing through the day, checking things off your to do list. Well, let's see I have to shower, shave, eat, let the dogs out, unload the dishwasher, put the whites in the washer, do my daily bread, pray for 15 minutes, work on this, pick up that, fix that, call him, go there, eat, drive, get gas, stop by get milk, go by the post office, stop by and say hi to so and so, do some more work on that, finish that project, read that, go home, kiss the wife, eat watch TV answer the phone(all at the same time), put dishes in the dishwasher, clothes in the dryer, watch more TV, check email, lay in bed watching TV, read, Go to Bed.

Hmmm. I wonder when I had time to hear the calling of the Holy Spirit. I look at that list and wonder how I hear God at all, my wife or even my own self think. Looks to me like I'm thinking about one or two steps ahead on the next thing I have to do and that’s all. I sure don't leave much time for anything else, let alone rest and peace. The quiet comes at night, with the light off. Yes, in the dark, in silence. And then I get these thoughts. To use the new much used slogan BRILLIANT! But yes most of them are. Am I bragging, no, because they are not my own. They are inbreathed, divinely inspired, of the Spirit. I take no credit for what I am writing at this moment. Because, tonight, instead of laying there frozen and lazy, fighting it. I am sitting here actively and peaceful, writing it.

I think what I am getting at is there are times in my life when I actively feel His presence. It’s not all the time, but I have felt it. And it gives me peace, because if I can feel His presence that means I am His. Since I am His, than I should not be that far from His heart. Which means I am closer to His will and hearing what He has to say to me. And that is all I desire. To know that I am doing all I can to live a life that glorifies Christ, then I am closer to where I should be. Not perfect, but on track. 'Cause I don’t know about you, but the track I am on most of the time seems like the deep dark rain forest, where I can’t see the sky and there doesn’t seem to be any path. I just keep walking hoping I’m heading north not exactly comfortable with where I am or where I am going. So the next time you feel His presence you can either lay there and soak it in, which feels nice, or you can try communicating with Him one way or another and maybe He’ll give you a glimpse of where you’re heading. More to follow…