Devotional 3-10-13

Selah Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

32:7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah

Though there are many theories on the meaning of the word ‘selah’, there are two that I feel led to use. It might be a cue to really spend time to consider the value of the wisdom being shared. A second thought is that the word is rooted in Hebrew words meaning ‘to praise’ and ‘to lift up’. I encourage you to keep these in mind through this reading.

Both of the above verses mention God’s care for us. However, the words paint almost opposite pictures. In verse 5, “I did not hide”, while in verse 7, God is “a hiding place for me.” How can these two pictures come together in our heads and our hearts?

When I was in college studying music therapy, we practiced relaxation through imagery. A brief explanation is that a person or group relaxes with eyes closed. Over soft music, a leader directs the group to close their eyes and relax the entire body. Then there is a description which guides the group in creating visuals in the mind. I have for you one such ‘verbal sketch’, bringing together my mind’s picture of the two selected verses.

Life is a sometimes torrent of challenges. Yours might be stress at work, physical ailment, or concern for others. *Imagine yourself standing in the midst of a tornado of these challenges, gray and ominous, whipping around you and threatening to tear you from your roots. While this all continues on every side, you realize that you stand alone before God, sins and mistakes painfully exposed. You couldn’t hide them, of course, if you wanted it. He allows you to mourn your transgressions. Like any parent, He smiles at the maturity shown in your remorse. Just when you think you can’t withstand any more, His arms envelope you like huge wings. They are strong and warm. “Selah!” You collapse in exhausted relief. You now have time to allow yourself to relax, head to toe. (That’s a cue; I recommend actually trying to relax one part at a time, beginning with your head, progressing to the tips of your fingers and toes.) Through His protective embrace, you see the dark sky and hear the violent wind. It doesn’t touch you, for you are surrounded with a strong warm glow. You have been delivered from your stressors. “Selah!” This glow encases you in such a way that you must move a bit more slowly, but this allows time for you to weigh your decisions more clearly. What is the next decision to be made? Clear your mind and ask for His guidance.*

You know your challenges are there, but if you allow God to protect you, these issues will not taint your heart and mind. “Selah!” Weigh the value of what the Bible shows that He has given you, and praise Him for this amazing gift. God is good ALL THE TIME.

Natalie Wray

Devotional 4-4-12

Isaiah 50:4-9a

When experiencing a challenge, I might feel almost empowered by scripture such as this from Isaiah. It can serve as a set of reminders as to how I should face my environment in order to find joy. The following is how I read today’s scripture:
 

4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

To me, this was obvious. We all have many ideas swirling through our heads, and the truth is that we know we shouldn’t say most of it. Even the youngest Christians can give spiritual nourishment to others. It is a responsibility to listen to God in that we should feel driven to do so, and it is also a responsibility in the sense that it is a yoke to carry. Everyone knows the difficulty of “looking the part” of a good Christian.

5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.

…simply a reminder to press forward in our spiritual walk? There is a Veggietales video in which Minnesota Cuke gets tired of following (mostly God’s) instructions, because others always laugh at him. Of course, following instructions proves rewarding in the end. Following instructions proves rewarding in the end. Reminders—such as this one in verse 5—are everywhere, if we allow our ears to be opened to God’s word.

6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

 Especially in a day of instant messages and email, it is so difficult to keep with this one. We see something insulting on Facebook, and we fire off a ‘nastygram’ before we even take the next breath (much less think about the consequences). Our generations feel such entitlement that we cannot stand even the most constructive criticism, but we certainly dish out second and third unwarranted helpings of it to even those we love most. This notion of turning the other cheek is particularly important as we are role models for all the children around us.

7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

 These verses, of course, state the result of turning the other cheek. When I have been in a situation like this, I might be just a little proud of my self-restraint, but it’s difficult to feel good about myself after ridicule. Strangely to me, Isaiah almost starts to sound cocky; he is calling out someone else to pick on him. His self-control obviously led him to other fruits of the spirit as well.

I find one phrase to be remarkable; I have set my face like flint. It seems more extreme than to say one is stone-faced. Instead of a river-worn smooth and round stone, flint creates the image of sharpness in addition to solid resolve. Of course, there is also the relation between flint and a spark…
 

9a It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Our transgressions are between us and our Lord. As we focus on answering to only Him, the remaining aspects of our lives will be bumped into place. I think many of us are afraid that, given the chance, we wouldn’t have had the strength to stay at Jesus’ side to his end. We still have a very real opportunity to prove our dedication, by creating sparks in the hearts and minds of all those around us, and by doing it in Christian strength. May your Easter be moving and bring joy toyour spiritual life.

Natalie Wray

Devotional 3-1-12

As Lent is obviously connected to the idea of sacrifice, many of us forego sweets or other nonessential items through the season.  Some give up cursing or another behavior we shouldn’t be doing in the first place.  Some of us immerse ourselves in scripture and try to approach the forty days with reverence.  In a recent worship service, I heard the phrase “God’s glory is for giving”, and I thought I heard “God’s glory is forgiving”.  I have been ruminating about this in terms of how it might relate to Lent.  

Lent is for giving

First, rather than giving up something, we might feel more spiritual development through giving something.  I try to grow closer to God through some truly trivial ‘sacrifice’ (what a strong word for going without chocolate), but I simply replace what I’ve curbed with something else.  We could give to others instead of saving or doing for ourselves.  “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:36

Lent is (about) forgiving

A second focus during this introspective season might be forgiveness.  I try to tell myself I’m being a good Christian while I hold years-old grudges against friends or family.  Why not use this time to create a clean slate for others while scrubbing at the stains of my own wrongdoing?  Thankfully, God’s glory is not only for the saints; it is a gift for sinners.  “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)

Lent can be a time to reflect upon our Christian journey through giving and forgiving.  In the beginning, we may feel we are giving more than we can afford or forgiving those who we think instead “need justice!”  As we do what we can to honor Christ’s gift of salvation, the result is a certain reward.  We relinquish vanity and pride, and we replace them with peace and fulfillment.  In whatever fashion, I pray you use this time in Lent to take a step toward God’s glory.   

Natalie Wray

Devotional 4-23-11

Thankfully, we know the glorious end of the Easter story, and we know that Christ has given us the key to heaven’s gate. It is a never-ending challenge, though, to carry that key. Our Father’s disappointment in us must sometimes be unfathomable. It is on this day that all our sins are brought into perspective. 

We are unworthy of so great a sacrifice. At the very least, we can take the time to contemplate what was given for our salvation. We realize today, when the price of our redemption seems so tangible, that we must more diligently walk in love and humility.  

Today is the Day of Preparation. The body is being treated with myrrh, wrapped in linen, and is placed in the tomb. Imagine that we are sitting next to the stone after it is rolled into place. In our mourning, we might pray the following:

In the midst of life, we are in death;

From whom can we seek help?
From you alone, O Lord,
Who by our sins are justly angered.

Lord, you know the secrets of our hearts;
Shut not your ears to our prayers,
But spare us, O Lord.

O worthy and eternal Judge,
Do not let the pains of death
Turn us away from you at our last hour.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty,

Holy and merciful Savior,
Deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.

(A burial rite anthem from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer,
© 1986 by the Church Pension Fund)
Natalie Wray

Devotional 4-5-11

No More Dry Bones

Almost every time a violin student quits taking lessons, parents usually say that they don’t have time to practice. The novelty wears away, and the well of interest becomes hopelessly dry. It’s such a shame to hear, because they rarely give it a fair chance. A little bit of sincere effort can lead to such a gratifying experience. To “deny oneself” by putting time into something can yield great results. We all have something we’d love to do… if we just had more time.

To give up a luxury during Lent, while keeping genuine spiritual focus, always leads to personal fulfillment. To sacrifice of our time is even better, because it can also positively affect others. Donating time to the church-- from pulling weeds outside to attending services within-- would be the best form of giving more to get more. In most cases, we know it’s not about having time; it’s about making time.

One of this week’s scriptures is Ezekiel 37:1-14. I’ve read an encouraging comparison of those “dry bones” to some churches, saying that God can breathe new life into a church just as He did those bones. It would be amazing to see our Church revitalized. More fellowship, more unity, and more children!

Ezekiel didn’t believe those dusty bones could be revived, and we might sometimes feel as though the church is beyond (literal and spiritual) repair. God can make the dead walk. One bone connects to the next, which connects to the next, and so on… until the body is complete. Just think how He can use the living to wake a slumbering church. One person’s actions add to those of the next, and the next… until the complete body bustles with renewed vigor. Let us make time now to pray for the life of the church and find ways today to help it along. In closing, I quote the closing line of the well-known song about Ezekiel’s dry bones: Hear the word of the Lord!

Natalie Wray

Devotional 3-30-10

Jesus answered, “The light will be among you a little longer. Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness wil not come upon you; for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Believe in the light, then, while you have it, so that you will be the people of the light.” [John 12: 35-36]

What if every year’s spring equinox brought a sudden change in weather and temperature? We would know on exactly which day to pack away heavy clothes and break out the short sleeves. In the last days of winter, we would be jittery with childlike anticipation. Possibly because there is no way to predict with complete certainty our last day with that winter coat, we often trudge through as pessimists. Whether or not diagnosed, many of us have a touch of Seasonal Affective Disorder. With the lack of sunlight, our moods and energy levels deteriorate.

The seemingly most Godly people in my life have faces that I am always happy to see. Even when I know they are carrying heavy emotional burdens, they continue to endure with a faith-filled glow about them. They truly are people of the light. Especially around Easter, sermons encourage us to live every day as though Jesus Christ will arrive tomorrow. If we knew that were the case, might our expectant faces be nearly luminescent?

We might think of the second coming as that first bright and warm day of spring. Without a tangible date, though, we easily fall into a spiritual sort of Seasonal Affective Disorder. From today’s scripture, “The one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going” reminds us that we often forget about our true North. Not only do we take for granted all of the beauty of winter, but we also disregard the fact that spring is truly on its way. My prayer for us all is that we savor every moment of the now while anxiously awaiting what is to come. As we expect tomorrow’s sky to be the brightest ever seen, I hope that our faces shine with Christ’s light.

Natalie Wray

Devotional 2-24-10

Keeping up with the Dittenhafers
My grandmother, whose maiden name was Dittenhafer, is always frugal and practical. I know that she has used her reel (motor-less) lawn mower in the last decade, which is proof that she still tries to save money. If you ask her about her childhood, I doubt there would ever be a tale of splurging on a pair of unneccessary shoes or gourmet coffee. Though I don’t think any of the Dittenhafers ever really spent much on anything frivolous, my grandmother is happy with what she has. Grandma worked hard to take care of her family, and she has wisely managed her finances. I imagine you’ve heard that “Happiness isn’t having what you want; it’s wanting what you have.” How true it is!

During my childhood, possibly like yours, I heard plenty of tales echoing the old “walking seven miles up the hill through snow to get to school” tune. Though my brother and I were quick to roll our eyes at the time, something that really can’t be pushed aside is that our parents and grandparents worked and sacrificed to give us a good life… and we do have more than we really need. Still, I often think, “We could really use the money for” this or that. Why have we as a society developed a constant feeling of want? In this day of instant gratification, we are reluctant to engage in anything that requires diligence or the ‘s’-word: sacrifice. Maybe that is why we are ungrateful for the things we already have.

We all know that true wealth lies in love and not in possessions, but it is a concept difficult to realize. During Lent, the season of sacrifice, I pray that we all gain that sense of happiness without material things. Rather than keeping up with the Joneses (or the cable-famed Kardashians), shouldn’t we all try to “keep up” with people like the Dittenhafers? We should be mindful of those who choose to live with simplicity and are often more fulfilled for it. What more perfect time of year is there for us to grow closer to God through simple living? I think that, instead of the first day of January, Ash Wednesday should be the day on which we make resolutions. Yes, we could simply give up candy or something we’ll just allow ourselves to have again on Easter. However, maybe it would be more meaningful to do something that would truly better oneself for the long term. To really be ‘resolute’ (thus the word ‘resolution’) in that sacrifice could create in us a better appreciation for the greatest sacrifice of all.

Natalie Wray