Intimately Acquainted

A month ago I began reading "A Year With God"--Living Out the Spiritual Disciplines, edited by Richard J. Foster and Julia L. Roller.  I had been searching for a devotional book to assist me in my quiet moments with God.  I tend to lean towards having some type of guide to lead and challenge me in my quest to know Him.

The timing of this book has been wonderfully  purposeful.  My first twenty-five days I spent in the Spiritual Practice of Looking for God and Learning from Jesus.  During this time I was faced with a situation which required a response from me.  I know that what I was studying with God, drew me deeper into Him, and compelled me to convey my heart in a more Christ-like fashion.

Today, I began the Spiritual Practice of Simple Prayer.  Remarkably, this evening had been set aside for my husband and I to meet with some friends to pray!  We are deeply burdened for a friend, and one of our foursome challenged us to a more concerted prayer time.  It was beautiful to hear and express, heartfelt, earnest prayers on behalf of someone we love.

And what I'm struck with is... He knew!  God knew that this particular book would provide direction and challenge and encouragement in the unfoldings of my life and those around me.  It shouldn't surprise me.  Psalm 139:3b expresses what David knows to be true... "You are intimately acquainted with all my ways."  Now I suppose to some that might be unnerving.  God knows everything I do??!!!  Yikes!!  But for me, these words have always been comforting.  I relish God's intimate knowing of me and what is transpiring in my life. Truly, I desire God to be this intimate, this creative, this involved. 

I know that there are countless times that I miss the ways in which He is expressing His intimacy towards me.  But recently, my eyes are wide open.

I'm so in awe of Him.

WWJD??

It was a commonly used phrase by Christians several years ago...primarily the youth population.  It could be found engraved on just about anything it seemed...bracelets, necklaces, bookmarks... or scrolled across t-shirts and posters.  WWJD would easily tumble out of mouths, searching for a response of some sort.

WWJD..."what would Jesus do"?

I've been asking myself this question most of the week.  Or more aptly, I've been asking Jesus..."just what would YOU do?"

I've been aware for some time, of a relational situation that brings much grief to my spirit.  The reality of it has been somewhat of a simmering stew in my being.  But recently a further dynamic came into play and stirred up the pot bigtime.  Very quickly, that which had been simmering, came to the surface.   I was convinced that my response was right and good and necessary. 

Or was it?

The familiar phrase "what would Jesus do"? began to run through my mind on a regular basis.  I began to pray and read God's Word...specifically the gospels which reveal so much about Jesus and the way He interacted and responded to people.  I saw this God-man relate gently to some, and sternly with others.  His compassion was deep, for suffering people.  His words were harsh for anyone who pointed a finger. He had a soft spot for all who seemed to be "lost", but challenged those who thought they had the monopoly on life.  One thing was clear:  He was all about people and meeting their deepest need...a relationship with Him.  Sometimes He expressed Himself succintly; there was no question about what He had said.  Other times, I found Him to be obscure, or seemingly stop short of revealing the full meaning.

It's been almost a week since WWJD has been imprinted on my spirit.  And truthfully, I haven't come to a conclusive answer. The waters are still muddied.  But I know the Spirit is roaming all over my heart.   I am  moving deeper into Him, and farther away from me.  Whenever this happens, and I'm thankful it does,  I know one thing for sure...it is good and right and necessary.  It compels me to continue praying and reading, seeking to discern the heart of Jesus. 

Ultimately, this is what Jesus would long for me do.