Coffee With The Lord

Incredibly busy day… Got up really early… No time to have breakfast or lunch… went from one meeting to another all day… Got home and was really famished… Wonderful meal prepared by Sharon… delightful, satisfying conversation with her… Nothing much better…

I thought of that today as I read the following verses from Psalm 63… especially as it relates to my deepest hunger and thirst for God!

“O God, you are my God! I long for you! My soul thirsts for you! My flesh yearns for you! …as in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Yes, in the sanctuary I have seen you, and witnessed your power and splendor. Because experiencing your loyal love is better than life itself, my lips will praise you. For this reason I will praise you while I live; in your name I will lift up my hands! As if with choice meat you satisfy my soul. My mouth joyfully praises you, whenever I remember you on my bed, and think about you during the nighttime hours. 7 For you are my deliverer; under your wings I rejoice. My soul pursues you; your right hand upholds me!” (from Psalm 63:1–8 the NET Bible)

How did the old worship song express it? …

“The world may try to satisfy
That longing in your soul.
You may search the wide world over
But you’ll be just as before.
You’ll never find true satisfaction
Until you’ve found the Lord,
For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

“Only Jesus can satisfy your soul.
Yes, only He can change your heart
And make you whole.
He’ll give you peace you never knew,
Sweet joy and love and Heaven, too.
For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.”

This morning during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” I was reminded that little things – simple things – matter to the Lord!

We tend to minimize their importance in what we view as “the grand scheme of things” – God doesn’t. We overlook them and neglect them – God notices. We marginalize them – God rewards them! We look for a celebratory cup of wine – God looks for a simple cup of water.

My hearts cry today? Oh Lord may I learn this lesson that you taught your disciples… “I tell you the truth! Whoever gives a cup of water because you bear Christ’s name will never lose his reward!” (Mark 9:41 the NET Bible) Many of the vaunted “big and grand things” I cannot do… a cup of water I can do. Help me never excuse my inaction with my inability to deliver on “the grand thing!” May I do what I able to do as a simple act of kindness and mercy “in His Name!”

His promise? “It will never lose it’s reward!” That’s enough for me!

Uneasy! Uncomfortable! Ashamed!  That’s how they felt…

“Then they came to Capernaum. After Jesus was inside the house he asked them, ‘What were you discussing on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.” (Mark 9:33–34 the NET Bible)

Every feel that way? You suddenly don’t want to talk about it? Seemed like an OK conversation a minute ago… everyone was chiming in… was good natured to start with… a little competitive edge, but that was OK… everyone seemed to understand the “one-upsmanship” … but then it began to be more than that… a real argument!

Then a real, authentic, servant-leader showed up… and the question: “What were you guys just talking about?” Deadly silence!

Jesus asked the question! The seminal servant leader! This is the guy who a little later would personally pick up the towel (when there was no slave around to do it) and wash their feet! (And it was like he enjoyed doing it for them!)

That’s right total silence… nothing to say – no response! Inside the house though… “After he sat down, he called the twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and be servant of all.’”

Just got to say… I’ve been involved in too many discussions like the disciples had – “who is the greatest” discussions! I’m embarrassed about them – ashamed that I participated! Here’s my heart’s cry… Oh Lord Jesus, may I learn your lesson and follow your example… “If anyone wants to be first, he must be servant of all!”