We have a chaplain who works in the hospital.
He’s on 24/7.
He’s available to come to the patients’ bedside anytime they want him to.
I’ve been working in the ER for over 10 years, and it occurred to me that I’ve only seen the chaplain during life and death resuscitations.
People don’t seem to pray until they are dying.
Or perhaps prayers don’t become desperate until we find ourselves in a desperate place.
I tend to view the needy areas in my life as troublesome. They are obstacles I wish would pass quickly so I can get back to a place of peace and rest.
Yet it is the very point of need in my life that becomes the intersection where God shows up.
It is my point of need that drives me to my knees.
It is my point of need that opens up room for the divine to turn my obstacles into soil for His hand to work.
If my life were simply a series of colds and ear infections, I’d probably never pray.
I don’t need God to help me get over a rash.
I’ve got that covered.
I don’t need him to help me overcome a sprain.
He can rest up in heaven while I rehab myself.
But throw in a new diagnosis of leukemia, or tell me my heart rhythm is in a fib, and you better believe I know exactly which posture to take on.
I’m flat on my face crying desperately for help.
The very thing we hate becomes the driving force towards a closer walk with Jesus.
Do you look at the difficulties in your life as an inconvenience? Do you wonder why God would allow them? Do you resent them and wish them away?
Your very point of need is what God is using to bring you closer into his presence.
Will you let it?
Will you see in your need an opportunity to lean into Jesus? He’s on 24/7 and he’s waiting to help you in your point of need.
Amen. Growing in prayer…a lifelong quest. God is patient as we grow in prayer. I find such comfort and peace when I stay at the throne of grace. Thank you.
He is always there whether we are aware or not. He is always helping, the point is are we grateful and aware of His love. His love is always there, we need to open our hearts and thank Him.
First reaction should be talking to God instead of people. Lately, enjoy reading Psalm, David put everything on God’s plate, his agony under trials, yet left his eyes to our Lord and believed He is the one holds all answers.
Thank you for the reminder, Lina!
Great reminder to turn to God in good times and bad.
Needed this today, Thanks
When we were struggling with our son, I spent a lot of time on my knees, especially at his bed. However, at the peak of my despair, I found myself at a point where I was so low that I had to ask a couple of friends to do the praying for me, as I just had nothing left. I knew that God was there, and that He was in control, but the pain was nearly too much to bear. I am so thankful that he gives us people to hold us up when we can’t stand on our own.
I am so learning to trust Him. I wish I could say that I am as dependant on God in the good times as I am in the not so good. But I look at my past and I know that when things were going good I tend to forget to pray for myself. In the desperate times I run to Him because I know I cannot deal with it on my own. When things are going well I believe I can do it on my own. Which is why I think He often puts us in serving where we may not feel comfortable or adequate so that we can depend on Him. In the past when difficulties came I believed the lie that it was a result of sin and quit serving, that added guilt for quitting. I am serving again and again find myself going through a difficult time, but I am not quitting. I have found great comfort in sharing my difficulty with my small group. We pray and I share how He has taken care of us. This last year Pastor James has mentioned many times to press on remain faithful. I was so encouraged this week by the message to finish well. I do not want to be one of those people who crumbles when the going gets tough. I also don’t want to fail when things go well.