I can not appreciate more that the Lord knows EXACTLY where we are mentally and where we leave stuff and where He wants us to be (mentally and physically). If we remain open to the Holy Spirit AND ask for “what’s next?” AND be willing to pick up the pen or the purpose, then we are ready for a lifetime of His Walk and Work.
Case in point: ME. I had this rare Friday night freetime and no work and no need to do anything – Friday night rest is the best – no guilt for work – no guilt for play – just sit and be OK – especially as Saturday can be filled with dishes and shopping and errands. Free moments – and Hmmm… So, what should I do Lord?
My recent memory told me to continue watching the Netflix intriguing show about Spock. My distant past memory told me I was forgetting something – a promise on my “to-do list” was ever so close to the top of my memory. I looked down at the pile of promises and remembered that I promised God – oh about 3 years ago to finish writing up notes I took at the Michael Card conference – a blessed event – a humbling event too with the coughdrop incident (ugh). But the notes? That blue paper WAS in front of me but buried so very deep. Yeah GOD REMEMBERED! And so I sorted out to the bottom of the pile. BIG LETTERS on my scribbled page 2 said: “GOD SHOWS UP!!!” Yeah – tell me about it!
Back to Spock – I did finish that Netflix special (after a short nap) and yeah it was good. And so was the ending credits final song: a rendition of David Bowie’s Starman… “There’s a Starman, waiting in the sky – He’d like to come meet us, but He thinks He’d blow our minds. He told us not to blow it, cause He knows its all worthwhile.”
God takes Holy Spirit actions, He can also give us theme music until we do what He wants us to do. I am always amazed that God shows up as He does. In baby’s smiles, in pieces of paper, in HOPE. The paper notes from Michael Card’s lecture says “God doesn’t give answers as much as He gives HIMSELF.”
I turned the blue paper over (a list of local restaurants) and the notes speak of Psalm 51 and Psalm 25. “Create in me a clean heart” because we don’t want what we deserve in punishment for sin – but we should take confidence in our forgiveness “The Lord says: ‘JUST COME BACK TO ME’” – and oh yeah Psalm 109 – the enemy psalm – David venting outrage but reminding that we are to offer our anger to God so that we can then can LOVE our enemies. This is where I stopped dead (and risen) in my tracks. I was asked to write the opening prayer for next week’s church service and the theme is: LOVING OUR ENEMIES…. Cute God, Cute… God gave me the cheat sheet of prayers – God gave me the chills of coincidence – God gave me the reminder once again that I too need to put aside any anger, ticked-off-ness, jealousy, rage, revenge. Out the window with the Holy Spirit whoosh… “Give God’s Love if you can’t give yours” that’s what I wrote.
So – I got my prayer done (written at 4AM because I fell asleep on the couch and couldn’t re-rest) and I kept that song-theme reminder stuck in my head (probably will until I finish writing up these notes in the next couple days) – and I got my reminder: LET GOD PICK YOUR EVENTS… BE ON GOD’S SCHEDULE.
So, this David Bowie song Starman is about a savior-like man who would show up at some point, but this is POP-culture myth and I am sure just a thrill for David to have a great Ziggy Stardust character, a successful record and concert career and a fun story. However, there is NO MYTH with GOD – and NO distance – and NO doubt He has a plan to come. And NO doubt that He already has done the Work – there is none of: “He told us not to blow it” because we CAN’T – HE did all the Work. HE IS THE WAY.
Jesus is not a starman in that He is sitting waiting out there in the universe to come back – He is integrated here and yet WILL come from Heaven to Earth in return – ON GOD’S SCHEDULE. The StarMan is the Star of it all and He IS a Man who gave it all.
Star Man, come quickly – but whenever God wants… Our Hope Lord is In YOU!
Amen
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2nd Peter 3:9
Psalm 25:1-11 Of David.
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Debbie Upper 