If we take time to see God in simple things, we will never lack for hope
Why do bees swim in circles? This summer as I passed by the pool, I found a bee. I set him beside of the pool, and he promptly made a “bee line” for the water again. This time I placed him further away from the water. I watched as he preened his legs and antennae, while he basking in the sun. Eventually, he flew away, hopefully to a good place.
Bees need to drink water as often as we do, but they don’t like to get their feet wet.. They store water in a special stomach called a crop. A hive of 80,000 bees can drink 3 gallons of water on a warm day. This same hive could lose hundreds of bees in a day to old age, and when they die they flutter to the ground, and some land in my pool. Or, maybe this bee just fell in while taking a sip; they don’t land very gracefully.
The bee reminds me of myself. Trials come, and I swim in circles, so to speak. I have access to a Heavenly Father, Who watches my every move, and cares. Maybe I need to stamp “pray” on my forehead.
Last year I lost a sister-in-law, and this year a cousin with whom I’d recently reconnected. I developed a serious cough after removing some old vines, and lost 25 pounds in two weeks! In a recent church service, the pastor announced the passing of a dear congregant. Events like these serve to illustrate that people experience troubles in life.
Jesus told his disciples, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NLT.)
I’ve taken comfort in this verse when praying for healing, or provision, or understanding, but when things don’t change, or get worse, my prayer room get a little dark. Prayer, when done in earnest, is hard work, and it’s a battle. I battle my own flesh, I battle the enemy, Satan, when he attacks me with doubt and fear, and I battle against God, when I struggle to align my will with Christ’s Lordship.
I tell myself God has a plan and nothing can alter it, but I doubt God is listening, and I become complacent about my prayers. God has a plan, but I’m missing something when I choose not to pray. The Lord Jesus told us to pray when he related the parable of the persistent widow.
“Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,” (Luke 18:1, AMP.)
The writer of Hebrews tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NASB.)
When my prayer room feels dark and silent, I remember I have access to a great God. This light comes not from me, but the Spirit.
“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think, according to His power that is at work within us,” (Eph. 3:20, AMP.)
His power works within us.
God has ordained the end, but he has also ordained the means to that end. While much of His plan is a secret to us, it is big enough to include anything that happens to us. As His redeemed, He gave us a responsibility to be a part of His plan. He uses our prayers to change things. What a wonderful mystery and blessing.
He wants us to pray specifically. Rather than swim in circles like the bee, I choose a straight path to the Father in prayer. Everything on our hearts lies upon His heart.
“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, AMP.)
To pray according to God’s will is not a cop out. His will is a hedge of protection around us, to keep evil away. Both the Old and New Testaments affirm this truth.
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, (Nahum 1:7, NIV); and
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18, NIV.)
Our Lord meant for us to strive together in prayer. Like a team sport, it’s most effective when we pray with each other. We need each other. I have Christian friends who choose to attend church infrequently. We, the Church, need them. We need the power of the Spirit at work within them, and they need the regular communion of the saints. Paul acknowledged this truth in his letter to the Romans.
“Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other” (Romans 15:30-32, NLT.)
My wonderful wife has been laying out fall decorations today. She knows I love this season. The other day, while we were in a store, I noticed several beautiful signs using the phrase, “Gather.” That sums up this time of year for me. I look forward to the times we will share with our friends, and pray together.
I invite you to do the same.
Selah