12/19/2010

Little Drummer Boy

My all-time, favorite Christmas carol is Little Drummer Boy. I'll share the part that never fails to bring me to tears - "pa rum pum pum pums" omitted, of course.

Little baby
I am a poor boy too
I have no gift to bring
That's fit to give our King
Shall I play for you
On my drum

And, here come the water works. I can relate to the boy's sincerity when he admits that he feels he has nothing to offer the King; nothing that's worthy to present to the King; nothing within himself that would be considered -by any stretch of the imagination - as being good enough.

I am nothing within myself. I'm at the mercy of God's strength and grace. Not until I allow God to take this lump of clay and form it into His image, will I experience true success and produce an offering that is worthy to present to our King. God in me, makes me able to do "all things".

I imagine an unexpected relief washing over the drummer's face, as he grasps his drum sticks. Almost, as a second thought, the child remembers the one thing that he is able to do, however small; playing his drum. So he takes that talent, that gift of God that he has become so familiar with and plays his little heart out.

I hope this encourages someone to stir up the gift of God, which is in thee (2 Timothy 1:6) and use that thing to bring Glory to God, throughout this holiday season and everyday.

12/04/2010

Jehovah-Rapha, God our Healer

Everything I need, God is. He is Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord that healeth thee.

Why me, God? I've asked this question before when disappointment knocked at my door. No, not just knocked, but disappointment took the key from underneath the doormat, helped himself into my home, went into the kitchen and fixed a sandwich. Then, sat down in front of me and bragged about his superior sandwich making skills. This actually happened to me.

I'm reading this great book called Healing for Damaged Emotions, by Pastor David A. Seamands. Funny, writing the book title in it's entirety, made me feel a bit embarrassed to admit that I'd purchased such a book. At any rate, please don't judge me. I'm simply recognizing lately an area in my life that needs the Balm of Gilead applied. Pastor Seamands talks extensively about God's desire to heal our "infirmities". Infirmities are deep-rooted, emotional pains that are the result of some life-altering hardship, disappointment or failure - possibly even, encounters with physical, mental or sexual abuse.

Pastor Seamands makes a point that clergy, ministers, etc., however well-equipped to minister to our flesh or spirit man, aren't always given the opportunity to minister to the emotional needs of individuals within their congregation. A prominent reason being, that the inflicted person has not yet come to a place where they are aware that seeds of bitterness, unforgiveness and low self-worth have taken root within their heart. In many of us, these emotional deficits may lie undetected and dormant for many years, awaiting their next opportunity to torment our mind. So, we press on, bandaging our afflictions by placing our hands to the plow and working feverishly in whatever role of ministry we may be able to fulfill.

I realize, it's acceptable for me to be honest with myself and recognize that, like many people, some things in my life have wounded me deeply and thereby, held me captive for many years. No matter how deep my commitment to service in the Kingdom of God, these little foxes still seem to rear their ugly heads at the most inconvenient moments, stagnating me at times. I am the only one that can identify these dark places for what they really are. Then, God promises total deliverance and healing.

I believe it is important that we lean on Christ as not only a healer of our physical bodies, but a healer of the heart and mind.