"...everyone whose heart God had moved... prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings." Ezra 1:5-6
The Jews returned to Israel after 70 years in captivity and began to rebuild the Lord's temple. Every family pitched in, as did neighbors and non-Jews.
As people, as Americans, we are very good at helping others immediately after a time of crisis. September 11, Katrina, Joplin...our reaction is often swift and strong. But it is so easy to forget the lasting effects of such disasters; to move on with our lives after we have put in our time helping.
Despite the incredible length of time the Jews were in captivity, the desire to rebuild, to help, was still strong, because God moved their hearts. I can only hope that my heart will be so moved both now and in the future. I so frequently am wrapped up in my own life and struggles that I don't even do the simplest thing for other people...pray. When we have no money, when we have no time, when we have no resources...we can still pray. Pray for those still suffering the effects of the big disasters. Pray for those suffering the day to day tragedies. And pray for those who do have the money, the time, and the resources, that their hearts too will be moved.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wisdom and Prayer
"Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you." Numbers 9:8
The notes on this passage are exactly on target.. 'Sometimes we face predicaments where the most obvious solution might cause us to compromise God's standards. Like Moses, we should use wisdom and prayer to reach a workable solution.'
I do not do this. I mean, I do, but not like I should. I usually try to figure things out for myself first. This usually results in days, weeks, even months of struggling before I finally remember that I don't have to rely on my own smarts or skills. It is so much like how a toddler lives that it is almost embarrassing.
Ophelia is in that phase where she wants to do things "all by me-self." Sometimes she does a great job at whatever new thing she is trying to do. Often, she makes a big old mess that I try and get her to help clean up. And a lot of times she will get fed up and frustrated, but she still won't accept the help that her parents offer. This is so exactly how I live my life with God that it is not amusing. I'd like to think that I am a little more grown up than my two year old, but it turns out...not so much.
The notes on this passage are exactly on target.. 'Sometimes we face predicaments where the most obvious solution might cause us to compromise God's standards. Like Moses, we should use wisdom and prayer to reach a workable solution.'
I do not do this. I mean, I do, but not like I should. I usually try to figure things out for myself first. This usually results in days, weeks, even months of struggling before I finally remember that I don't have to rely on my own smarts or skills. It is so much like how a toddler lives that it is almost embarrassing.
Ophelia is in that phase where she wants to do things "all by me-self." Sometimes she does a great job at whatever new thing she is trying to do. Often, she makes a big old mess that I try and get her to help clean up. And a lot of times she will get fed up and frustrated, but she still won't accept the help that her parents offer. This is so exactly how I live my life with God that it is not amusing. I'd like to think that I am a little more grown up than my two year old, but it turns out...not so much.
New goal: try not to act like a two year old.
Even a cute one.
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