TCM - Training Christians for Ministry

October 21, 2009

Vol 1, Issue 6

GPS JOURNAL

Dear Friend,

Lately I've found myself thinking about home.
This world is full of so much bad stuff. I long for a place where children are safe, nobody suffers hunger, friends don't have health problems, and the war is finally over.

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GUIDANCE

Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him" (John 14:23 ESV).

PERSPECTIVE

So, there can come a moment when you're home. When you are just "there." The inward pushing and pulling subsides. "Beams of love" transport the heart outside time. Breathless, lest anything disturb the eternal calm, you wait. Almost anxious that no intrusive thought disturb the "now" with the "then" or the "next." Heart and mind obediently present with Them.

A distraction. Perhaps some noise, a cough, the cat, or pressing problems. That's when the mind goes leap-frogging down some side alley. Chasing the thoughts, you quickly forget all about abiding. At some point down the road, however, you remember. "I was praying."

That's when the Holy Spirit will work. God actually provides the power to "go ahead" and stop. His love gathers the mentally-scattered wanderer back to Himself. And more. If we really wish it, He empowers us to abide again.

An evil thought. Dwelling upon the bad. Invading with vivid detail. Your heart begins to race. The mind follows, stupidly drawn by the siren lure of false fulfillment. The evil masked behind the goodies paraded just out of reach. At some point you recollect again, "I was praying."

It does no good to berate or wallow in the alley. Like a child learning to walk, you simply get up and abide again. But always listening to the Son while keeping the Father in view. His hand reaches out to steady the balance. His strength again provides the stability to move homeward.

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

Such is fellowship with the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Their great fellowship enlarges to include us. We participate in the conversation, hearing and being caught up in Their process. When we faint, They strengthen our faltering knees and clear our feeble minds. They open the eyes of our hearts so we can see with the immediacy of divine love.

We do not really initiate the process. They call. We feel empty. Or long for something "other." They call. And we ARE home. Branches who abide in the Vine. We stay with Them as They empower and enable. Such moments are priceless. When They come we are beyond grateful. Especially because They receive into Their home sinners like us.

Tony

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