Getting Dressed Sitting Down

August…that month of the year when our springtime visions of lush, colorful blooms collide with the reality of endless summer heat and drought.

I took a quick walk through my flower garden this afternoon. My Dad’s lilac bush has recuperated from transplant shock and the over watering that it experienced last year. The heat loving annuals like zinnia, purslane, and moss rose are happy as ever. On the other hand, my lantana is struggling. The garden phlox had a few blooms but the plants remain short as they continue to establish their root system.

I imagined what my plants would say if they could talk. Would it be something like, “Where have you been? Have you forgotten us? Was this really part of your plan?”

I know talking plants sound silly. Still…I wonder…in all honesty haven’t we all said that exact same thing to our Creator?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

As followers of Jesus, most of us have heard that verse a thousand times. Many of us even have it on a plaque or picture hanging in our home. The question is, do we actually believe it? Do we honestly trust that God has our best interest in mind? I’ve been through times when I was tired, worn out, and thirsty. My soul was at the point where I couldn’t handle one more thing, or I would most certainly break. Then, I heard a still, small voice say to me; “Who’s job is it to feed and water you?”

“…he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life:…” 2 Peter 1:3(TLB)

We live in a messed up society. Our lives are busy, hectic and complicated. As a result, we look for complex answers or methods that will be our ticket out of our problems. We turn to people, money, a new job, or hobbies in search of an answer that, in reality, is only a whisper away.

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

According to that verse, who’s job is it “to call”?
Answer: It’s our job.

My husband and I have the privilege to pray with people on almost a weekly basis. We have a common question we ask at the beginning of most conversations. The question is, “What does your chair time look like?”

“Chair time” is simply a time that you set aside every day when it is just you and your Savior. It’s a quiet time when we read our Bible, and sit quietly alone before the presence of our God and say, “Here I am, Lord.” It doesn’t have to be a lengthy amount of time. Just a daily appointment of a few minutes to breathe in God’s Word. To quiet our minds so His voice can speak to us above the noise that is all around us. “I don’t have any spare time” is a common response. How much are peace and a sound mind worth? What if getting up thirty minutes before your spouse or children actually causes you to feel more strong and rested to face the day? What if the answers you have been losing sleep over are already written down within the pages of God’s Word?

What would happen if we fasted all social media for a week, or better yet, for a month? How much more focused would we be if we also shut off our phones and read a book instead? What would change in our children’s behavior if there was no TV, video, or music on? Instead, we actually played with them or helped them with their homework?

We are in a war, my friends. Some of us need to return to Boot Camp.

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:13

The weapons we need in this war are found within the sixth chapter of the book of Ephesians. The victory has already been won. It was paid in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. But we experience it by renewing our mind through His Word. I have lived through the August of life. I found that there was only one way out…His name is Jesus. He is and always will be a simple answer to any and all situations. No matter what comes, in Him, we shall always win.

“ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33