A Mountaintop Experience!

Dear Friends in Christ:

It was good to be away, and it’s good to be back from my continuing education retreat in the mountains of Colorado. Mary and I had an inspiring, restful, joyful, and challenging experience from the lectures, the fellowship, the worship times, and the beautiful scenery, weather, and wildlife. The words of Jesus in this past Sunday’s Gospel reading (Matthew 11:28) are so true: “Come to me, all that are weary… and I will give you rest.”

Jesus himself identifies with us in this human need. Later in Matthew’s Gospel we read (14:23): “After Jesus had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.” Thanks be to God for such special times!

While in Colorado, we were also able to spend some free time visiting some local artists and crafts persons. Mary and I have both some of the same as well as different interests. We try to respect that. So, one day I found myself in a “Quilting Store”. As I was trying my best to appreciate this place, I was surprised when I came across a table that contained a variety of Christian literature, etc.! One book immediately caught my eye. It was titled “Dear Jesus”, by Sarah Young. As I opened the book’s cover, I read these words: “Seeking His light in your life… From your heart’s deepest cry to life’s joyful praises, you can bring everything to Jesus! Come confidently into His presence and find out what He has to say about your intimate longings and struggles. Draw closer to the One who understands you perfectly and loves you eternally. He’s waiting to hear from you.”

The book contains a series of prayers followed by answers from Jesus, and accompanying quotations from the Bible that support the prayer concerns. I share one of these prayers and answers with the hope that it speaks to your need:

(Prayer…)
Dear Jesus,
I desperately need to learn how to live in the present moment. My mind so easily slips into the future, where worries abound. I also spend way too much time analyzing things in the past. Meanwhile, splendors of the present moment parade before me, and I’m too preoccupied to notice. Part of the problem is my tendency to strive for self-sufficiency. Help me learn to rest in Your sufficiency, depending on You more and more. Amen.

(Answer…)
Beloved, you need My grace in order to live in the present. Grace is all about My provision for you, and accepting that goes against the grain of your natural tendencies. Do you really believe My grace is sufficient for you? If so, then it makes sense to stop your anxious striving. My grace is indeed sufficient for every situation you will ever encounter. However, you must learn to receive My provisions by looking to Me continually. Each day you face a number of situations requiring My help. Moment by moment. I offer to you the needed assistance. Your part is to recognize your neediness and receive what I offer. My Presence is with you always, providing everything you need. Don’t worry about tomorrow’s needs. My sufficiency is for one day at a time—today!

“But Jesus said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

—Pastor David Fetter