Karen Rabbitt

Can You Hear Me?

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27(NIV)

Do we know his voice? Some of us struggle to believe his voice is the one we are hearing. Often we believe what we’ve heard is just our own thoughts. How can we distinguish his words from media voices, parental words, Satan’s input, and our own ruminations? A friend recommended a helpful book, Can You Hear Me? by Brad Jersak.

Jersak, a Canadian pastor, writes clearly on hearing Jesus’ voice. He talks about the simplicity of listening, blocks to hearing, and the life of listening prayer. His simple instructions offer practical guidelines. For example, he describes listening through biblical stories by starting with picturing the details of a Bible story, after asking God to bring to mind one that is meaningful to you. After you imagine the characters and their behavior, he suggests, just in your imagination, to use your senses of touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell to immerse yourself in the narrative. Then, see where Jesus is and what he’s doing. Finally, as you draw near to him, ask him what truth he wants to speak to you.

Following these instructions with the Mary and Martha story, I got a clear sense of a personal word. I was surprised, actually. I’ve often questioned whether I’m listening to his voice, but the sentence that came to me spoke directly to a current need.

As Jersak points out, this particular prayer strategy isn’t new, but he communicates it in a way I can grasp. In addition to this engagement with scripture stories, Jersak teaches other ways of hearing God. He also talks about intercession, justice, and inner healing, among other topics. If you, too, are hungry to hear the shepard’s voice, this book will feed you.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, we want to hear and obey your voice.

Who Will Stand?

Americans now know, with gas at more than $4 a gallon, what Europeans have known for years. Energy is precious. We are learning deliberation. “If I drive to Meijers, across town, I need to stop at the library, Ace hardware, and Sam’s on the way.” I ran out of ink yesterday. Knowing I’d be near Wal-Mart today, I didn’t run out for ink. Ridership is up on mass transit and bike sales must be picking up. That’s just the first layer of effects.

The second economic effect is how the increase in gas prices increases consumer prices. We’re beginning to feel those pangs, too. The local whole wheat flour I buy for bread-making has increased $.12 a pound. Our trash bill went up recently. We’ve yet to see the full effect of increased transportation costs. Some effects are predictable—increased food pantry demand—while others remain to be seen.

World economic pressures add additional uncertainty to the mix. China and India, with their rapid development, increase demand for clothing, cars, and building materials. And why should America remain on the top of the heap? What gives us the right to use so much of the world’s resources? But what a painful slide it will be. Some American middle-class folks will slide right into poverty. And what will the poor do?

When I turn my eyes from the gas pumps to the scriptures, I see Jesus. After foreseeing people “fainting from terror” because of the events of the end, he says:   “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28 (NIV) Are we near the time of the end? I don’t know. But as prices squeeze us, let’s look up to Jesus’ promises, more precious than any fuel. When the end comes, only he, and those who hold his hand, will stand.

Jesus, may we feel the pressure of your hand today.

Join the Dark Side?

“Join the dark side.” That was the bumper sticker I saw this morning. Yikes. Why would anyone consciously want to join with darkness? Many have made an unknowing contract with the dark of night, for example, when they allow themselves to be addicted to drugs. But, a well-thought-out choice?

I can think of three reasons: 1. They’ve never seen the light. 2. Darkness promises power. 3. They want to be with someone who lives in darkness. “God is light and in him there is no darkness at all,” John says. (1John 1:5, NIV)  With no experience of God’s multi-splendored light, the light that illumines the colors of life, the dark side may feel like the realistic side. Then, the dark side promises the ability to achieve your own purposes. To join with God is to put aside our own desires and to work with him to bring the rule and reign of King Jesus. And, it’s easy to slide into darkness if people depend on others who have already chosen the dark side.

But those who join with darkness do not foresee the consequences. They see only the glittery promises of personal power or the comfort of connection. The dark one hides in the shadows, around the corner, behind the shed.

Even for those of us who walk in the light, the darkness sometimes entices. For most of us, drugs are easy to recognize as lightless. Pride, prejudice, and greed are not so easy to see, crouching in the shadows. Let’s keep asking King Jesus to shine his light into our dark passages. We need his power to see the consequences of darkness. By his grace, we will choose the light of day, every day.

Holy Spirit, come illumine the hidden corners of our hearts.

Face to Face

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.  Luke 22:61 (NIV)

What sort of look did Jesus give Peter when he heard Peter’s third denial? The answer we instinctively give to that question tells us a lot about our view of Jesus. Was Jesus’ brow knit above hard eyes? Was his intention punishment?

Was his mouth turned down? Was he shaking his head? Did Jesus mean to let Peter know just how disappointed he was in him?

I doubt he was either angry or sad. I think his eyes were soft, his face relaxed. Jesus had previously told Peter the truth about himself: “You will deny me.” Now, I think Jesus was both calling Peter to account and pouring forth his compassion.

Peter didn’t know his own weakness. Jesus knew. Peter’s denials were no surprise to Jesus. But it looks like they were a surprise to Peter, himself. The text gives the impression that Peter hadn’t quite realized what he’d done until Jesus looked at him.

And isn’t that how it is with us? Only when we get face to face with Jesus do we see our sin clearly. We can go blithely through our day, reacting to the people around us, not thinking much about eternal realities. And then God breaks in and we suddenly see what Jesus sees. We see the tired Walgreen’s clerk through Jesus’ compassionate eyes. We see our toddler’s frustration as a cry for attention rather than an intentional interruption to our reading. We see in our own hearts all the subtle ways we deny Jesus’ reality—in our small faith, our weak hope, our cold love.

Oh, Lord Jesus, may we once again, come face to face with you—your clear-sightedness and your compassion.

Wanting What We Don’t Want

In a March, 2001 quote, Christian philosopher Dallas Willard says, “One of the hardest points to get past in spiritual formation is that in order for me to be spiritually transformed, I have to want to not want what I now want.”

I thought of this yesterday when I realized that a part of me thinks it’s okay not to lose the three pounds I gained on our March vacation. I thought I was all in agreement about losing. If I don’t eliminate them now, I’ll gain three more when I go help my daughter with the birth of our first grandchild in June. Not until yesterday morning, when I stopped and thought more seriously why my efforts over the last few weeks haven’t been working, did I notice her hidden in the corner.

Lifting her nose, she said:  “My clothes still fit, my lipid panel numbers are okay, what’s the problem here?”

I pulled her out into the light: “Oh, no you don’t. If I don’t lose these pounds now, I’ll gain more in June. I won’t be so mindful of my eating then. I am not going there.” 

Sometimes, even as Christians, we fully want to disobey in a particular area. But aren’t we usually of two minds? Part of us wants to do the right thing; part of us wants what it wants and doesn’t want to change. Part of us wants to read the Bible, the other part says, “Oh, what’s the use?” Part of us wants to tithe, the other says, “I need that money myself.” One part says, “Don’t even look,” while another part says, “Just one glance at that X-rated site won’t hurt.”

With renewed prayer, I managed to reduce my portions yesterday. By grace, I’ll do it again today. Jesus is Prince of Peace. He is the one who exposes and settles our conflicts. Only he gives power to change our wants.

Lord, we come to you, just as we are, conflicts and all. Please grow our internal peace and unity.

Unshakeable

Twenty to five in the morning, April 18, I was awakened from sleep by the shaking of my bed. Wind? No. Earthquake. Nothing else shakes a bed inside a house. Just as I wondered if I should climb under the bed in case the ceiling fan fell, the jarring stopped. I jumped up to see if my husband, in his bedroom, felt it. We grabbed each other in the living room.

“Did you feel that?” I said. 

“Oh, yeah. That was a big one. Turn on the radio, let’s see where the center was.” For central Illinois, it was big. Centered 150 miles south, it was 5.2 on the scale.

In Reno, USA Today reported yesterday, “Residents here are being shaken, literally, by an ongoing series of earthquakes, which experts warn could be a precursor to a major seismic event.” Sandy Jung, formerly a California resident, says, she’s used to the ground shaking, but not “swarms of them. Not day after day after day.” Unsettling, scary, irritating at best.

And many of us are enduring financial earthquakes. Foreclosures. Job loss. Food and gas prices.

It is time to cling even more tightly to the unshakeable kingdom. The writer to the Hebrews says, “ ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”  Hebrews 12:26-29 NIV 

To cling to the Creator-King does not mean our worst fears won’t come true. It means, even if they do, the God who is with us will carry us through. Jesus’ grip is unshakeable. 

Father, Jesus, Spirit, we worship you. We cling to you. You are our hope, our faith, and our life.

Flying High

As we approached downtown on our morning walk, a Canadian goose landed on the top of the courthouse tower. 

“There’s a goose that’s been hanging out with pigeons,” I said to my husband. We watched it fly away as we entered the parking deck where he works. 

He smiled. “There’s your devotional for the day.” 

“Yeah, if the ones you hang with fly high, you will too.” I kissed him and continued on my morning exercise. 

Like the goose, who has the wings to lift himself to that high perch, we have the ability to reach the pinnacle of God’s plan for us. Having never seen a goose perched on the tip of the tower, I’m guessing he’s seen pigeons on that roof. We, too, have the ability to soar, but we need to hang with those who model the behavior for us. We need the vision that others provide. 

If we parent, we want to learn from patient, wise parents. If we are meant to teach, we’ll want to observe how master teachers teach. If we sense a call to evangelism, we’ll study the lives of those who’ve led many people into relationship with Jesus. 

No one soars alone. We need others to teach us, mentor us, and pray for us. Only then can we reach the peak of God’s plan.

Father, please provide those who will show us how to reach for your heights.

Content to be Discontent?

God honors boldness. In Luke 19, when Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd following Jesus to climb the sycamore tree, he expected to get a better view, not a better life. But Jesus, seeing his audacity, walked into Zacchaeus’ house and heart. Zacchaeus collected taxes for the Roman occupiers, keeping for himself whatever he could extort beyond the Roman levy. Like a Frenchman collaborating with the Nazis during WWII, he was ostracized. Jesus’ closeness convicted Zacchaeus of his separation from the community. He vowed to make restitution, thus opening the way to restoration. 

Zacchaeus was bold because he was discontent. He wanted something he could not get without a risky move. Are we discontent? Are we content to be discontent? Do we tolerate an unsatisfying job for fear of change? Do we go through the motions of Christianity without giving our hearts? Are we happy enough in our ministry? Is there a place where we want to see God’s power? How can we let our discontent move from crowd-following to risky faith? 

Makes me nervous just thinking about climbing a tree, alone, exposed. But if that boldness is what it takes for Jesus to come close… 

Father, send your bold Holy Spirit into our hearts, right now. Whatever boldness we exert comes from you.  

To See as He Sees

Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:30  NIV

Her eyes are dull, her mouth turns down, and her step is slow. She’s over fifty and she weighs over two hundred pounds. “Kathy” is a church acquaintance from a congregation we attended thirty years ago. By any American standard, greeting customers at Mejiers, she’s one of the “last.” Leaving the store on Monday, I smiled a greeting.

“Karen, George had open-heart surgery four weeks ago.” George was her husband, so overweight the last time I’d seen him that he was using an electric scooter.

 I stopped and turned toward her. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is he recovering okay?”

“He’s diabetic, so healing has been slow, but God has been with us.”

 As she went on to describe their ordeal, I took an internal deep breath and consciously focused on her words.

 As I listened, watching her face, a completely different image flashed through my mind. I saw her leading a line of worshippers, twirling a red silk flag, stepping high, eyes flashing in joy and wonder.

 After a few minutes she said, “Well, I’d better let you go.” As I walked away, I thought, I’ve just seen her through God’s eyes. To him, she is a precious, delightful worshipper, first in line. God doesn’t conceal impatience in her presence. He rejoices over her heart. He looks forward to the consummation of her life in the fully realized Kingdom. 

Father, we need your eyes to see each other as you see us.

Oops!

Oops! I forgot to write a devotional yesterday. I’m taking that as a sign. I need a break. So, watch for a new devotional in a month.

In the meantime, maybe you’d like to read some of my earlier ones. www.karenrabbitt.typepad.com contains more than 100 devotionals, written since February of ’06. And here’s a photo for all of us who are waiting for the energy that spring gives.