Communication & Relationships
The morning when I woke up and turned on the computer, it didn’t respond, I panicked. Disaster! Everything said to re-boot, but I struggled and tried to reach my Computer Person (my son), by email. It didn’t go. I wrote a text on the computer, the message ‘undeliverable’ came on.
My phone is connected to the internet, I listened and breathed a sigh of relief when I heard a dial tone. I called. Since my son, Tim, is in great demand for IT work, I heard his voice say, “Unavailable!” Then I called his wife. By then two hours had passed. My usual morning emails were not sent. Soon Tim drove up, and with his calm, assured manner, he reconnected the computer to the internet within fifteen minutes. Then I could begin writing while praising God.
As I wrote, I pondered. I have learned God often teaches me lessons along the way to share. I reviewed how hopeless I felt, not being able to communicate. I realized, without communication, there is no relationship. With this sheltering in place, visits are rare. The masks muffle the words, hindering communication. And we lose the sweet friendship with others.
The alone-ness and lost feeling intensified during the two hours, trying to reach someone. Later, as I reviewed my experience, I found these verses:
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! Psalm 4:1.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Psalm 17:6-7.
The ultimate aloneness is the inability to read the scriptures and know His presence for there is no Bible. When I read the book, Heavenly Man (Brother Yun, and Paul Hathaway), during a 3-day power outage, I realized how real God’s Love is and how vibrant and alive His Word is. I read by flashlight and shivered as the furnace during the ice storm did not function. Then I understood the real hunger we have for God’s Presence around us and to be connected with Him who saves us and Our Friend who loves us.
We are defined from the spirit outward by our connection to God the Father, and Jesus, the Son of God. We are connected or not connected, Either yay or nay. His light shines from within us, or it does not. Just as a computer is connected or not.
We often need a ‘reboot’ to re-connect to our Father in Heaven. To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24.
We like to look forward to comforts and rewards in this world. It is when we rather look forward to being renewed and put on our new self, seeking righteousness and holiness, we can find true Joy in the Lord.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.
What are the things unseen? They are the things we live by in our inner being. When we follow Jesus and His teaching, the fruit of the Holy Spirit gives us, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. (Galatians 5:22-23).
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6. These words of Jesus remind us of the desire to live a holy life for Him. Oh, the wonders of the creation we see around us and we realize the immensity of the creation, He spoke into being, the words of Jesus mean truth and life to us.
Are you satisfied now? Do you know the difference between the Light and the Darkness? In the ‘darkness’ we stumble and fall. The Light provides our way. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.
Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8b-10.
The Light defines who we are in this world. And whose we are. We long to belong. When we belong to the Creator of the World, we belong, not just for the moment, but for eternity.
Communication with others is important but seeking God in prayer is vital. Does prayer really make a difference? Jesus prayed because He desired to be obedient to, united with, and empowered by His father. Prayer empowers us to produce the fruit of His Spirit in our lives. Prayer becomes our ministry.
“Prayer is a love response to the burdens of others.” From Becoming a Prayer Warrior by Elizabeth Alves.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34.
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