In learning how to cultivate a lifestyle of listening prayer, try asking Jesus a question. You might be surprised that what you hear in your thoughts ~ is truely a God encounter.
Question for the day: “Is anything hindering our friendship, Lord?”
As I ask this question, I see the Lord with a smile on His face, and a twinkle in His eye. With inviting arms outstretched, His movements and overwhelming joy draw me to join in the playful dance. I see myself over to the side with a serious look of self inspection, praying “Lord, please wash me…cleanse me that I may come into Your presence.” As I say this, it looks as if I’m trying to wash myself with dirty water. Then I see the Lord pick up a huge bucket of water, which He dumps all over me, with a big grin on His face. I hear Him say:
“Why do you try so hard to clean yourself up before entering into my presence? Don’t you know that it’s in the midst of our relationship that the true washing takes place? You are already cleansed by My blood and washed by My word.”
At that, I respond to His invitation and we begin to spin around in a circle until pure water from some hidden source begins splashing over us and we’re both soaked even more. As the dance ceases and we begin to walk hand in hand, I get a glimpse of my heart. Like a flower opening up to the warmth of trusted sun after a long, cold night of darkness, so my heart rests in knowing….this is a safe place of vulnerability. I no longer have a tight fisted grip on the hidden areas of my heart…lies perceived as truth. Now, in response to the security I feel in this friendship with Jesus, He can gently remove those intruders that I have unknowingly welcomed into my secret place. He asks me this question:
“Why do you feel secure in your relationships with your closest friends?”
My response:
“Well….because they love me for who I am, and accept me for what I am. They really like me, and they make me want to be a better person. They make me feel special, are fun to be with, and cheer me on in my journey. I can trust them with the deep things of my heart.”
The Lord then says:
“Would you choose to be friends with a judge? Someone who constantly judges you, criticizes you, and tries to change you? Someone who is constantly frustrated with your performance, and points out all your faults?”
My response:
“Well, no, of course not, Lord.”
I then begin to realize some things that have hindered my friendship with the Lover of my soul. I have some truly amazing friends. They encourage me, affirm me, love me, pray for me, support me, cry with me, take the blinders off of me, and the list goes on and on. I know, as awesome as they are, they are still just a shadow of what His friendship has to offer! How much more does He love me, encourage me, affirm me, pray for me, support me….etc., etc!? Have I thought that He is less of a trusted friend than those I surround myself with?
“Lord, have I misjudged Your true character? Have I thought that if I entrust my heart to You, that You will begin to point the finger of accusation? You are the One who took my blame in the first place. Have I thought that You would try to fix all my imperfections with a look of frustration and disgust on Your face, when You know that it’s only in the hope of Your cross that I am made perfect? Have I thought that if I get too close that Your primary motive would be to focus on my lack instead of Your provision?
Wow! I realize the motive of God’s heart really is love, friendship and relationship. Change is a given. He does the transformation in me as we walk together. He doesn’t want to get close to me just to point out all the areas that need fixing!
I also realize that I am my own worst judge. Religious training is good at twisting true cleansing. How often do we try to perfect ourselves apart from our relationship with Jesus? How often do we judge ourselves apart from His blood’s washing. Where is our focus? On our lack; our failure; our imperfections? We’ll never measure up when our eyes are fixed on ourselves.
Those areas in my heart that are still awaiting experiential redemption through my choice of surrender, are the very blinders that block my vision of His finished work in me.
He sees me through the cross. His vision of me is through His blood. I am made completely whole in Him. Whether I release those areas in my heart to Him today, tomorrow or next year; He sees my surrendered heart now through His completed work and He rejoices over me! My choice to hang on to baggage does not hinder His view – BUT IT DOES HINDER MINE! I’m not talking about compromise here. Sin is sin and making excuses for our sin only postpones the fullness of joy that He intended for us to walk in. Let the obvious sin go. Sin is not a luxury ~ it’s a prison. That’s just dumb to hang on to what He’s nailed to the cross. I’m talking to those who are doing all they know to do to walk in right standing with God and yet, get tripped up along the way. Doing all you know to do, but never feeling like you quite measure up. Fix your eyes on His vision. He sees you through eyes of pure love. He wants to be our friend! Can you imagine?! He really likes us! Can you receive such a gift of friendship? Too good to be true? Then it MUST be God! He is your wildest dream come true.
