Back Assward: Calling The Weak

         Have you ever found yourself in a position where it seems God wants to use you for something but you feel spiritually depraved, removed from God, and in ways useless to his purpose? Has there ever been a call to something greater that seemed just too large for you to summit?  If so, you're not alone.
        The kingdom of God seems to operate contradictory to natural thinking and approach.  God doesn't call the equipped; God equips the called.  This is a theme that is played out over and over again with scripture right down to those Christ kept closest to him; the apostles.  Christ could have picked the best of the best in the religious world to be his closest representation but instead he wanted those that just simply had faith; simple faith.
         All too often we clutter God's desires to use us with self-pity, loathing, and doubt.  We allow question marks in ourselves to be red lights.  We drive faith-simple away for some belief that we NEED to be something in order for God to use us or want us.  The truth is, God wants to use any and all of us so long as we have faith - simple.  The truth is, God prefers us in our imperfect state.  God desires us to be humble, to be weak, to be poor in spirit, to be perfectly imperfect.  It is when we see our faults, we recognize our needs.  When we open ourselves up to the fulfillment and equipping of God, that is when a loving, reforming, light can enter in and mold us for God's glory and kingdom betterment.  God doesn't desire strength out of us, he desires humility, acknowledgement of brokeness, and simple openness to the mere fact that God delights in you a wants you.  God wants and can use you no matter how shitty your circumstances may be - no matter what a waste of space you may feel like.
         The kingdom of God is built back assward!  So much of it doesn't ring true to us at first because the ideology backwards.  But it is what it is and if it makes sense to God (GOD! God - CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, well, let us embrace it and open us up to simple faith.  He uses the fuck-ups and ill prepared and I am one. And so it is with you....

Matthew 5:3-10
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Purpose in Prayer

       I'm not a prayer warrior; I never have been. Some people have a gift for it and I seemed to have not made the list.  What is the purpose of prayer? How does it function? For those of us who haven't seemed to make the list or have yet to discover that we are on it, understanding the purpose and function of prayer can be a difficult thing.
        I've come to understand a several things over the years about prayer.  Prayer can come in many different forms.  Prayer can look like a audible conversation with god or just one in our heads.  Prayer can look like words or just an open space in our minds.  Prayer can be a simple form of acknowledging that God is here with us.  For those of us that are artistically inclined, it can look like a painting, dance, ceramics, writing, or some other form of creative outlet.  I've also learned that prayer can take discipline.  To be honest, this is where I am lacking.
        Like other forms of relationships, our relationship with God requires and desires time and attention.  Much like a friend, we need to make time to spend with God.  For me, creating this space and time is the discipline component that I struggle with.  It's hard enough to create space and time for my friends and family let alone for an unseen, inaudible for some, God.  It would be so much easier if I could call God up and schedule a time to get a beer! But I can't....
        So why should we pray?  Why do I pray?  To be known and fully seen; to hear and be fully heard; to respond in a way in which deepens our understanding and image of God in our lives.  Where I feel I lack, God picks up my slack.  Without saying anything to God, the Holy Spirit works on my behalf and reveals the depths of my heart and mind to God.  And that is where my continual conversation with God begins.

 "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words". - Romans 8:26

          What I do know is this, when you tell someone you are going to pray for them...mean it! Do it! "Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no". -Matthew 5:37  I might stink at being a prayer warrior but one thing I make sure to do is when I tell someone they are in my prayers or that I will pray for them...I mean it! I do it! This is where we must be intentional in our conversation with God.  We owe it to our word and to our people to do so.

           Whether you are a gifted prayer warrior or a "gifted in other areas" person like me, prayer is an intrinsic part of our relationship with God.  It's our lifeline, our understanding, and from it sprouts a deeper relationship with God and wisdom.  How do you pray? Will you open the line?