Stretching to heal

Matthew 12:9-13
New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.

In the Synagogue with a Withered Hand  

In the midst of this holy place, there was a man 

He was in the place to hear and learn about God

to draw near to God 

to learn of Him 

worship Him

love Him

He had come to draw near with others in community to the living and all powerful God

It was the Sabbath, the holiest day of the week

It was the place where the right was clearly spelled out in detail

and this man had a withered and shriveled hand

It was there for all to see, it could not be hid for long

And yet he did not hide, he was there in this holy place with these other seekers, seeking the living God

Another man entered, in appearance no different from the rest

Those who wanted to be right in themselves, yet hiding envy, jealousy and hostility in their hearts, asked a question,

'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?'

the response was driven by care and love for others, not for himself and how he appeared or was perceived

His care and value of others demonstrated by a real call to this man in the crowd

the man with the withered hand

'Stretch out your hand'

This man could have responded,

'But I cannot sir, as you see it is withered and shriveled.

It has always been so. 

It most likely will always be so.

You don't understand the true nature of this situation.'

But as this man responded to Jesus in faith that somehow, Jesus would do for him what he could not do, that somehow, it might just be different than it had always been before 

He must have made some attempt to try to stretch it out

And in the stretching, Jesus made it whole

restored it to what it was meant to be

to what he intended it to be 

It was not the location that brought healing to this man

It was not the religious leaders that brought healing to this man

It was not this man that brought healing to himself. 

It was not even knowing God's perfect law and 'rules' for right behavior that brought healing

It was Jesus

but it came as this man responded in obedience to what Jesus said to him,

Stretch it out

It would really just be so nice to feel healed first then stretch out

It would be so wonderful to feel loving first towards those he calls us to love

and then act on it

But Jesus commanded this man to do what he could not do,

 had never ever been able to do

When Jesus commands me to love and I know I cannot
to be at peace in Him and I cannot

to be patient where I cannot

to be content where I cannot

to love him more than anything else and I cannot

to believe and trust in Him and obey him and I cannot

This is the great opportunity

This is the place where He makes his power known

This is where I pray as the one father did, 'Lord, I believe, please help my unbelief''

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12 : 7-9 NIV 

It was in the effort, motion, desire to move as he commands that this man experienced this healing

So when God is stretching, calling us to what we know is beyond

When I read your word, Lord and I want to say, I cannot stretch out
not here, not now

When my heart is withered and strangled by worries and cares

When my heart is hardened by grief and loss and unresponsive to you

You see
You understand
You are filled with longing to touch, to heal, to renew 

You are desiring our healing

the untwisting of what has curled in upon itself

lifeless

useless

not able to bless or care for others

the undoing of the gordian knots of our tangled states

As I seek to respond in trust to you,
honestly and bravely facing the real need that is being exposed
and yet seeking in spite of it to do as you command
crying out to you for help, comfort, enabling, repentance, change

bringing you all the pain, fear, frustration and agony of the dilemma between what I feel and experience and what you want

not choosing excuses, delusion or blame

There were those there with shriveled hearts that he also longed to also heal

but it seems they missed this opportunity

This man not only believed in Jesus' power - he experienced it

and became an opportunity for God's glory to shine and others to respond too

O Lord, please help us not to miss you when you enter

when you call us to respond in faith

to change 

to be transformed

to be more like you

to be at peace in you

no matter what the circumstances or

level of healing we are experiencing right now

to love you most 

and others with your love

to be the opportunity for your glory to shine forth

Heal our shriveled hearts that they may unfold as a flower before you

to soak in your love

your glorious love

your personal care for us

your desire to heal our withered places

to cause our soul to experience you more deeply and fuller than ever before

and to grow in actual loving behavior to those around us

Amen

The God of Glory

^3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.  Ephesians 1:3-6

2 Corinthians 4:7-9
English Standard Version (ESV)
Treasure in Jars of Clay 

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

this passage above in its beautiful context:

2 Corinthians 4
New International Version (NIV)
Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[b] Since we have that same spirit of^[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.Footnotes:

1. 2 Corinthians 4:6
 Gen. 1:3

1. 2 Corinthians 4:13
 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)

1. 2 Corinthians 4:13
 Or Spirit-given

Journeying towards the God of Peace

Philippians 4:6-9
J.B. Phillips New Testament 

^6-7 Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.^8-9 Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you.

Enjoying brunch with my very good friends whom I love dearly...

My one friend was describing how her mother would gladly take her daughter and new baby to care for on a moment's notice - and how wonderful to know there is someone there to rely on besides you - you are not alone in this sometimes overwhelming place we call life, as we now  know it.

Love and gladness welling up in my heart for my friend was also instantaneously intertwined with sharp, piercing and painful longings and sadness....

How it hurts to want
to want what she was describing,
 what is not likely to happen in my experience.

She turned to me, and expressed such kindness to me 
 she knew this lovely picture she was painting with her words was also creating pain for me.

The eyes of all upon me, What could I say?

How to live in this in-between time?

with the pain that is in-between what I so earnestly wish and long for

and what it is

what I wish this relationship was like

and acceptance of what it is 

without bitterness

to walk in truth and love 

believing God for great and awesome things that he is so able to do

and acceptance of what is given right here and now

the limits of this friendship

this relationship

the limits of my time 

energy

focus 

abilities, desires etc

I answered with truth, "Yes, it hurts but I am so glad for you. I have been given such wonderful gifts of God too, just not this one. I rejoice with you."

but the conversation fell flat 

no one spoke for a few minutes 

and then conversation resumed on a different topic

affirming the truth and love for her was helpful

but the pain in my heart remained

what to do with that?

I am comforted by this verse: 

Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.

He is inviting me to tell him every detail about what I feel, what I long for, what hurts, what I wish for, what I desire. 

I do not have to speak in polite generalities with God

He wants me to tell him everything, in detail

in earnest and thankful prayer

prayer that brings me to Him and to his peace
is a healthy mixture of:

request 
praise,
supplication (strong crying or emotion)
and thanksgiving  

So many times I do try to be thankful before God and others

To take the time think, recognize and acknowledge 
all of God's bountiful care, kindness and generosity and love

however giving thanks alone and acknowledging truth alone is only half of what is represented here

in the same manner

Talking to God only about what hurts, what angers and burns, what gireves and confuses

does help to relieve and soothe my soul 

but has the danger of sucking my soul down into hopelessness and despair 

self-pity and a whirlpool that drowns

I am comforted that here I am told to express all of them together

Philippians 4:6-7
New King James Version (NKJV)
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Praise to remind who God is and His amazing love and power and wisdom and care

this is always helpful, yes?

thanksgiving to acknowledge what he has given and is giving

to help me see beyond how I feel right now and to what I am not seeing correctly

supplication - strong crying to give vent to my soul

it does not have to be tidy, pretty, correct or acceptable 

it just has to be what is 

being able to articulate and identify what needs to be released

expressed, 

redeemed 

processed in my soul right now

my needs in detail 

not hiding but the truth of what

I really want

I really long for

I want

I need

Helping me to recognize and articulate what is

A transforming prayer has a healthy combination of all of these elements

and can bring me into vibrant connection with the living God

who is both truth and love

whose peace can calm my soul and then I can think more clearly how to answer my friend being both truthful and loving to her

"I love you my friend and rejoice with you in the blessing God is giving

I do also hurt and so long for my own mom who can never come and be with me

and share in the lives of my children"

I thank you Lord for giving me a mom who loved me so, and was such a powerful and living display of your love

I ask you for grace to walk with you through this love, joy, hurt, thankfulness and desire

I need you to bring your peace into the deep places where there is still grieving to do

pain to walk through with you 

and also opportunity to see that I was given a precious gift that many others never had 

Let me hold my soul before you in all its raw and bleeding places

keep it open for you to touch,  and transform

an honest communion with you who alone can bring peace

and to enter into relationships of vulnerability and intimacy where your love can flow between us. 

"Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,all you who love her, rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance."
For thus says the LORD;'Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. as one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you, you shall be comforted in Jerusalem,"
Isaiah 66:10-13 ESV

Being Content with what God has given

^6-8 There is a real profit, of course, but it comes only to those who live contentedly as God would have them live. We brought absolutely nothing with us when we entered the world and we can be sure we shall take absolutely nothing with us when we leave it. Surely then, as far as physical things are concerned, it is sufficient for us to keep our bodies fed and clothed.

^9-10 For men who set their hearts on being wealthy expose themselves to temptation. They fall into one of the world’s traps, and lay themselves open to all sorts of silly and wicked desires, which are quite capable of utterly ruining and destroying their souls. For loving money leads to all kinds of evil, and some men in the struggle to be rich have lost their faith and caused themselves untold agonies of mind.

^11-12 But you, the man of God, keep clear of such things. Set your heart not on riches, but on goodness, Christ-likeness, faith, love, patience and humility. Fight the worthwhile battle of the faith, keep your grip on that life eternal to which you have been called, and to which you boldly professed your loyalty before many witnesses.

I Timothy 6:6-12 Phillips

How to be content in God?

What do I do with these passionate desires within me to be noticed, approved of, respected, esteemed, admired, and dare I say it, worshiped???

What do I do with the longing and desire for love, friendship, community, when it is not happening the way I earnestly wish it was?

I want to be content in Christ and what he has given me but trying to do so by putting a lid on a boiling pot of water and hoping all will be well is courting disaster of a major sort!

Oh, Lord give me the kind of heart to love you and desire you most of all and to be content with the life you have given me, the friends you have given me, the things you have given me to do. Here are all the desires of my heart. You alone are really the one that can soothe, calm, bring peace and contentment within. My part is to be honest and forthcoming with you about what I do desire and not try to deny it or whitewash it and pretend it is something else. 

Why is my life not simple and quiet?

Why do I keep trying to cram all kinds of activities and worthy acts into a schedule and limits of time and energy where they just do not fit?

Isn't it because I am trying to make myself feel better?

that I am worthwhile? 

that what I do is worthwhile?

that I am a kind and helpful person?

to try to establish something about my character that I want to believe is true? 

But then I am harried, rushed, anxious, uptight, grumpy and very easily frustrated by anything or anyone who, without meaning to, interrupts these demands on time and energy that are stretched to the breaking point like an old brittle rubber band pulled way too far out. 

In seeking to love others, especially those I live with and interact with frequently, there must be time and energy to focus and interact with them, time and energy to hear their needs and be responsive to them, time and energy to be courteous, kind, polite, helpful.  Love is patient and is kind. I Corinthians 13:4 NIV

this cannot occur when I am frazzled and impatient and frustrated and anxious. 

To be in a relationship with anyone means needs, interruptions, opportunities to connect on someone else's timetable not mine.

this all takes time and availability

it requires a life that has margins and flexibility to adjust to another

I cannot do this if I am being driven along by my own desires, expectations, etc.

The key is for me to be content. But how?

to pour out all my heart and all my desires, the good, the bad and the ugly

to Him who alone is able to take all that burning desire a

and pour in his cool and soothing peace and fill me with his love. 

I am his child.

I am a part of his body.

He has made me a part.

Find my identity and value there.

In Him and what He has done and is doing.

I am loved, not because of any character in me, any traits or talents I have

or anything I can do or not do.

I am loved because He IS LOVE.

and he loves me

right here in the middle of my mess and my desires and my struggles.

He wants to set me on a firm foundation that cannot be shaken.

I am valuable because He has put value on my life, 

whether I feel this or not.

I am loved because He loves me, 

whether I feel this way or not.

He has given me meaningful work to do, 

whether I feel it is so or not.

Let him define this, not me.

Let me be content to do what He has set before me, 

whether big or small in my own estimation.

He has given me this place to serve, these people to love.

Oh Lord let me desire large and wonderful things for you

and be available for all you want

But let me be content when what you ask is small in my eyes

care for this man, be a friend to this woman

take time to listen and give my full attention to you

work towards a space that is clean and orderly

clean some clothes, some dishes

sweep a floor, make a bed

make some food to nourish, strengthen and enjoy

help a child with homework

For this is holy ground you tread.

Zechariah 4:10 NKJV
"For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see,
the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the LORD,
which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth"

You see me
you see this is done out of love for you
and desire to love others

Luke 16:10a

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁰ “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much;

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives, be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous of you. Be happy anyway.
The good you do. may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Matthew 25:40

New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 Henri Nouwen 2/21/14"Human relationships easily become possessive. Our hearts so much desire to be loved that we are inclined to cling to the person who offers us love, affection, friendship, care, or support. Once we have seen or felt a hint of love, we want more of it. That explains why lovers so often bicker with each other. Lovers' quarrels are quarrels between people who want more of each other than they are able or willing to give.
It is very hard for love not to become possessive because our hearts look for perfect love and no human being is capable of that. Only God can offer perfect love. Therefore, the art of loving includes the art of giving one another space. When we invade one another's space and do not allow the other to be his or her own free person, we cause great suffering in our relationships. But when we give another space to move and share our gifts, true intimacy becomes possible."

"Protect me, God, 

because I trust in you.

I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord. 

Every good thing I have comes from you.'

There are godly people in the world. I enjoy them.

But those who turn to idols will have much pain. 

I will not offer blood to those idols.

I won't even speak their names. 

No, the Lord is all I need. 

He takes care of me. 

My share in life has been pleasant. 

My part has been beautiful.

I praise the Lord because he guides me.

even at night, I feel his leading. 

I keep the Lord before me always. 

because he is close by my side.

I will not be hurt. 

So, I rejoice and I am glad. 

Even my body has hope. 

This is because you will not leave me in the grave. 

You will not let your holy one rot.

You will teach me God's way to live.

Being with you will fill me with joy. 

At your right hand I will find pleasure forever. 

Psalm 16 International Children's Bible

linking today with Emily Wierenga at

http://www.emilywierenga.com/mops-response-bad-mother-movement/