How are YOU? Morning Devotions from the Edges.

FROM THE EDGES – Morning Devotional

Pastor Calvin Cook

LENT – Day 20 – HOW ARE YOU – (3-7-2024)

Scripture focus – John 1:9-13 “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and through the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The common response to the question of greeting – “How are you”? Mostly ends with the response “Good” “OK” “Not bad” “Living the Dream” and so on. One of the common questions that John Wesley would ask which has been carried out in Wesleyan inspired conversations is “How is it with your Soul”? When asked should I be honest? Is the one who I am asking being honest. This morning in a self-diagnosis I am asking myself “ how it is with my Soul? “. I hope I can be honest!

A new spiritual practice in my life has been what is commonly referred to as the “Daily Examen”. I was recently re-introduced to this practice in a sermon by Tyler Staton on You Tube entitled “Hearing God – Discernment”. The idea of the century old practice is to end your day with the same questions for self-evaluation to review “Your Day with GOD”. Basically, the review or daily examine includes the following; Where did I feel closest to God today? Where did I feel distant from God today? To then seek forgiveness and experience Redemption through a coming face to face with the true light. The suggestion is made then to pray one prayer. It might be “Lord – I felt distanced from you today when ………… Help me not to experience that tomorrow.

Last night as I went to sleep and as I woke up through the night. I had a very restless night, that wrestling with God kind of night. While trying to blame it on everything else, it was a soul repair that I really needed. I realized the care and burden I carry for others, I found myself writing the words that follow –

As much as I want people to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. As much as I want people to take serious their faith and relationship. As much as I want to avoid the distractions of life, so that I can be more centered on the will of God. I’ve come to the conclusion, a very important resolution, that the only one that can really get us to the place where we need to be in our relationship with Jesus Christ is me.

Maybe that is why we call faith personal. It is something that all of us need to experience personally. Part of the undertone of the Apostle Paul’s writing was he just couldn’t understand why people were not being transformed into the completeness of Christ. I ask that question as well. The answer really came in Romans 14. In a nutshell is says that whether weak or strong – it is the power of salvation and knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life, Christ resurrection, the moving and being of the Holy Spirit, and us/me and how we/I respond. It is asking the question – “What do I need to fix in my life so that others can see Jesus living in me without me speaking a word.

This morning – I really don’t want to wrap this up. I just want to sit a bit longer with Jesus and hear the Spirit speak of how I can draw closer, how I can experience more of God’s presence, how I can have the heaviness of life lifted, how I can fix the broken and fill in the cracks. Again, it all comes down to me.

So – How am I ?……………………