At a dinner party in their home one evening, a father asked his six-year-old daughter to offer the prayer before the meal.
“But I don’t know what to say,” the little girl replied, looking around at the guests.
The father coaxed her a little more, gently pressing. “Just say what you’ve heard Mommy say.”
“Dear Lord,” she began, “why did I invite all these people to dinner?”
Masks, masks, everywhere…Masks of every shape, size, color, and material are sported in public now. A friend of our has personally sewn over 200 masks since COVID started. In this pandemic, it is the norm to see people wearing masks, some even double up. But do i also have masks on my heart?
This morning during my Bible study, I felt God asking, “Do you take your mask off when we meet or do you carry it into our visits for protection?” When I started thinking about it, I realized that I have gotten into the habit of doing and saying the “right things,” the “good things,” the “acceptable things.” I have gotten away from exposing all of my heart to the LORD, afraid of the outcome.
Jesus did God’s perfect will and never sinned. But even He struggled. He didn’t gloss His prayers over…He prayed from His heart.
**Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Then He returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done.” When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So, He left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Matthew 26:39-43
Notice that Jesus didn’t sugar coat His prayer, and He didn’t wear a mask. He said what was truly on His heart with raw and passionate honesty. He asked God to change the situation three times, but accepted the outcome no matter what it was. He asked for what He wanted, then consented to God’s ultimate will.
After He prayed, He came back to His disciples, and He found those around Him sleeping from exhaustion. He woke them up and begged them to pray. This assignment was the toughest one yet for Jesus and His disciples had no idea what lay ahead. He needed them to be on their knees, and they slept. I feel like America has been lulled to sleep, just like the disciples were. I have found myself complacent because my life has turned out good. I didn’t have the easiest childhood, but God has always seen me through and held my hand in the terrible times. He gave me a wonderful man to marry, blessed us with three awesome kiddos, and we’ve never really wanted for anything. He has provided for all our needs. I can witness through my writing and Benny can freely stand in a pulpit every Sunday without fear of persecution. Life has rocked on as usual.
Then COVID hit…
There are many opinions on our current situation in America and how it should be handled. As Christians, our assignment is to continue to be shine the light of Jesus into the dark world, even in the chaos. We all have different ways on how we would like the COVID situation handled, and it is our right to pray for what we think best. But then we need to be ready to accept His will, even if it is different than what we ultimately want. He sees the entire situation and knows what is ahead. I also believe we need to pray for our leaders, whether we agree with them or not, for wisdom and discernment. Their decisions today will affect America for years to come. Their choices ripple through our nation and trickle down to us.
Lately in my prayers, I have been saying what God wants to hear, whether or not that is what I truly feel. Just as I used to say things to placate our children when we didn’t want to discuss issues they asked questions about, I sit before God and only pray surface prayers.
What makes me think I could get away with wearing a mask in the presence of the creator of the universe? Can He not see what is truly in my heart? Does He not know what I’m thinking, no matter what comes out of my mouth? Did He not make my entire being?? Can He not see through the mask to my heart??
I try to be an honest person, I really do. So why would I think God would be okay with me wearing a mask and pretending in His presence? This morning He showed me that I have worn a mask and only discussed “safe topics” with Him, while more important things were hidden for another day. He wants to hear my heart, and I must begin with the truth…that begins by taking the mask off.
“Do we trust that prayer is the safest place to tell the truth? Do we dare believe that God can hold our hearts and all that is in our hearts? That he fully knows who we are and, even more, who we can become? There is no safer place to begin telling the truth than to the God who made you and loves you. True surrender is to open your hands, lay down your guns, false motives, and strategies, and give the Eyes of love a good look at you. There is no shame at the feet of Jesus. No one can come and pull the curtain back and expose you; the curtain is already open. It’s been torn from top to bottom. There is nothing to hide in the presence of God.” — Johnson, Nicole. Fresh-Brewed Life Revised and Updated. Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
LORD, today I just want to be real and honest in Your presence…You know what is in my heart and on my mind before I speak. You know how heavy COVID weighs on our nation, our community, and our people. Be with our leaders as they make decisions that affect everything in one way or another. Give them wisdom and discernment and show them the best courses to take. I want healing for those affected and their families, I want our lives to go back to normal, and I want our nation to turn back to You. But not my will, LORD…Yours. Please help me accept whatever path You choose to go with America, with my church, with my family, and with my life. In the meantime, while I wait, help me stay on our knees, open and honest before You…
Today was a heavier subject than I normally post. Please enjoy a smile from a family that is dear to our hearts, the Haynies. They did a great job making this video to encourage others and brighten days..
https://youtu.be/u9imu7Y4VjI
ON THE PORCH 