Squattin' in the Spirit
Dear friends,
Did you ever consider you can strengthen your faith every time you sit? My pastor shared an analogy on Sunday that truly got my brain percolating. He was speaking on unbridled faith and used a chair as a visual. As he stood beside it he asked, “Am I putting my faith in this chair to hold my weight?” Of course the answer was obvious. He then propped his foot on the seat and asked again, “Am I trusting the chair to support me now?” “No,” the audience murmured. Next he hovered his hiney above the seat, just like you would squat in the woods to pee. (You’ve never relieved yourself in the forest? Oh honey, you need to get out more.) And for the final time the congregation clearly connected the analogy. Refusing to surrender completely to the strength of the chair resembles our reserve in fully trusting Jesus. We must place our entire lives into His hands, completely releasing our own will, wishes and ways. Do you fully rely on the stability of His love, faithfulness and promises?
I sort of giggled to myself as I listened to the pastor speak, thinking about my own bottom nearing but not quite surrendering to the strength and comfort of my gracious heavenly Father. Oh no, I got just a few small things I want to handle myself. You know, we all have ’em. Those little pet sins we prefer to keep private, or those self-identified needs we’re sure God has overlooked. Like one of Santa’s faithful elves, we’re happy to help Him out by going after it ourselves. Then afterwards we feel a little pitiful and pathetic, believing He was unwilling to provide quite right.
What is it you’re holding too tightly? God, I give you everything except ………….
Lord, I mostly trust you, but this one thing…………
Father, I admit I struggle fully believing You’re going to care for me in this area ………….
If you’re sticking one little fear or small little sin in the closet, thinking you’ve surrendered enough, then you’re doing a self-reliant squat! Instead of sitting and resting on God’s throne of grace you’re hovering above the seat and feeling the burn of self-reliance! Oh saints, squatting in the flesh is surely a great exercise to strengthen your middle. (Yes, can you feel while you’re squatting you use your back and belly too? Not so sure? Go pee in the woods for a week…) But don’t be squattin’ in the Spirit! Give God ALL of you! Cast ALL your cares on Him! He cares for you Church! He is intimately acquainted with ALL your ways so you might as well fess up! Lay those burdens down and put your bum fully flat on the cushion of Christ. And while you’re sittin’ a spell, ponder these holy scriptures:
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” Exodus 3:13-14
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:1-6
This week, every time you sit - and I mean EVERY time you sit - surrender. Say, “Jesus, I surrender all to you. My fears about finances. My angst over the future. The ill feelings I carry toward you-know-who. I am going to relax in Your loving arms, trusting in your stability and strength. Thank You, Almighty God, that You are faithful and trustworthy, ever present in all my times of need.”
Live Well,
Grace