“Corona? This is not what I ordered!”

Just one solemn thought from this servant’s heart this morning has led to a lot that I seem to have to say at this table set for two over what I feel none of us deserve.

A long….. distant relationship….

With the minimum (cough) distance between us growing, the fact that we can’t truly sup together means; what is being served at this table leaves a bit more to be desired regarding what’s on my plate. You see, in our relationship, I am always looking forward to the feast, and at a feast, which is what the extended invitation is for, take-out and delivery should not even be an option. This spawned a question in my mind… Who are you and I to judge the distance between anyone and God. With both the opportunity and current need for some to attend church from their comfy couch at home, I can’t help but wonder… how many will be willing to answer the call of God from where they are and step out of their comfort zone.

I have heard many tell me, “I don’t feel I need to go to church because church is not about the building.” … OK, to that there is some truth. But, I humbly ask, “Isn’t God about the building though?” Not the physical building… but the building up of His people and of His kingdom.

I am trying to re-assemble my thoughts so I can share instead of table them and be self-consumed with the current events. The reasonable need for others is spurred by the thought of me being left to myself at a feast, which would probably lead to nothing short of a huge helping of self-indulgence with a side of self-deceit… which in my past experience has ended up just giving me a ton of extra weight and defeat.

The bible clearly tells us “do not forsake the assembling of my people”…. and my understanding is that it’s important because it also says… “where two or more are gathered, there will I be also.”

There is no one we need to show up right now, more than the great “I AM”

Just when we were all starting to get comfy with the idea of having God up in the house… He stands at the door and knocks… and we are alarmed. Who are we really trying to be socially distanced from.  I was self-deceived, for a moment of time to think that not being gathered together may be the best option for all and that caring for others can still be done from a distance. To be honest, some desperately need to be touched by God and noone can judge the distance between anyone and God but God himself.

So maybe, just maybe you feel and are told you are selfish for wanting to gather OR perhaps you are feeling wrong for feeling the need to stay home. As I sit alone, in prayer, hoping to hear from someone other than myself, I hear exactly what I need to. He says, “The greatest concern of mine is not the measured distance that keeps us apart… but instead… your distant heart.”

I know this is a long distance relationship but can I speak with you frankly for a moment, heart to heart? With all the focus on social distancing, I feel we are masking the real problem… to truly stop the spread of what is killing us all… it’s not our mouth that needs to covered, it’s our heart.

Matthew 15:11 It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the heart of a man. 

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

An Apple a Day

Reflecting on my plans on how to best fill the days that fall ahead, my first thought is to plan to start every day off in the best way because at the end of the day, I want to be able to say I made the best choices. Expecting to be at my best all day long is a pretty tall order to fill, but if I follow the good doctor’s orders maybe I can come close.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” You may have heard this said a time or two before. When talking about love, especially the kind we set aside for ourselves, the idea of doing what is healthy every day is novel. In truth, being consistent in making healthy choices for your heart is a real struggle. Naturally, I’m talking about more than just the choices that please the palate.

How do you like them apples?

Choosing what’s good for ourselves in love is a challenge we all face. There are  forces that constantly tug to tempt us to take the wrong turn. Exposing the core of the question at hand…our own heart can even be what deceives us to think we are doing what’s best.

Basically, if any past effort to do good turned out rotten in despite of all you sacrificed, you are probably hesitant to put all of your apples into one basket again. Afterall, if you can not keep the bad from happening, why plan to keep trying for good, right?  After a heartbreaking experience or two “Not falling for that again” quickly became my reason for making minimal moves toward love. I was playing it smart, so I thought.

At the heart of it all, God knew my area of struggle. I didn’t want to completely trust anyone with my heart again. However, the love He has to offer is not like anything I’ve experienced in the past so…. He had to show me. With much trepidation, I slowly learned my investment is only a waste if my heart’s desire is not lined up with His. He is the one who holds the blueprints for all that is in the works. What about your plans for building upon what’s healthy for you in love?

Wondering where to begin? It starts exactly where you think.

Proverbs: 23. 7. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

A Heart to Heart Moment

The noted verse is intended to make one consider the source. When and where we choose to dine matters. Who we are enjoying our meal with can also make a world of difference. However, those should not be given more thought than who is doing the cooking. The one who has prepared these tasteful bites definitely deserves to be considered and I cannot move on to the next course without further clarification. So I’m curious to know, in the wait for what’s good to come….are you in for the long run?

You weren’t thinking of dining and ditching, right? If you intend to make sure you’re taking in more of what’s in store then let’s get straight to the core. When was the last time you checked your heart? What about the heart of others at the table with you? Sometimes we can get so caught up with trying to play it smart that the need to check everyone else’s heart takes precidence and we forget about our own. If you pulled up a second seat, God is checking all of the hearts at this table to get us to answer one question because He wants to see who will admit whether or not they are all in because where you stand determines where He sits.

“Who sits on the throne of your heart?”

If you’ve decided to join me in sup with the king, I have invited him to stay at the table. If you plan to continue to eat and drink here… you must put what you know of love from the past in its place. He aims to take His place and He is second to none.

That’s the thought of the hour folks!

Thought #5 of 101:

True love is “King”…second to none