Transcend: We must lift our eyes up, off of ourselves

Thanks to my friend Meg who has allowed me to post this from her blog:

Patience, O Heart of Mine
I am in a season of waiting.

Life has presented some fairly important decisions lately in the areas of profession, study, romance, and location. I am praying through many options, and waiting on the Lord for direction. I am also waiting on the physical healing of my knee. Before my surgery I prayed for two things: the miraculous healing of my ligament and that God's will be done. I had a successful surgery on September 30th and have been adjusting to a level of physical activity much lower than what I'm accustomed to. I know that I went through surgery for a reason, and so I have been praying to take advantage of this time of physical rest and spiritual stillness. I have moaned my share of desperate and frustrated prayers, pleading for a quicker response, but God continues to give me comfort through His Word.

Today, while lying on a magnetic therapy table at my rehab center I read John 15:1-12 (the Vine and the Branches), which gave me some insight into the process of having patience.

Proactive Patience
Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
There is always something we can be doing, even if we don't have clear direction in making certain decisions. We can remain. We must stay connected to the source. He chose us, and that leaves us with the option to choose him. To remain signifies an active pursuit of intimacy and development of relationship. His words stimulate growth and peace.

Productive Patience
If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you
I don't know where I will be 3 months from now, but right now I have a purpose where I currently work, worship and live. Yes, I would have preferred that my anterior cruciate ligament be healed without an operation, but I praise God that I had the opportunity to share my faith with the nurse at the hospital and my physical therapists, all of whom I met because I went through surgery. We have the opportunity to plant seeds daily by obeying God's command to LOVE. We must lift our eyes up, off of ourselves. I pray that we can look up and be active in loving whoever is near, wherever we are. Remaining connected to the source results in an overflow of life, love poured out on others through us.

Prosperous Patience
...ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples...If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
As we keep our eyes on Him we can live in the hope and joy of His promises. How powerful is the promise in verse 7? Whatever we ask in the name of Jesus will be given! Do I believe that? The key is asking in the name of Jesus. Our true attitude in asking may reflect how strong our connection is to the Vine. If our truest desire is to bring our Father glory, to bear much fruit and show ourselves as his disciples, then that promise is limitless.

Dear God Almighty, you rock!

Oh Giver of Life, you are the source of all life and joy. We can only be fulfilled and fruitful if we passionately remain in you. Give us the discipline and supernatural ability to obey your command. May we have the faith to pray in the power and authority of your name. In your Spirit we can practice patience. The fruit will blossom in time. The harvest is coming and your promises will be completed.

We pray for discernment of your timing and your direction.