I'm praying for Los Angeles this morning. And I can't even tell you why.Last night I we drove to Westport for dinner with Adam & Taryn, we were talking about people we know the LA area and something gripped my heart. I couldn't get the city out of my mind or heart. Over my gyros at the Jerusalem Cafe , I whispered to Kelsey "I cannot get Los Angeles out of my mind. Something is burning in me.
Language for this might be outside of your experience, but many of you know the feeling, even if you are uncomfortable with the terms. I was burdened. It's a term we don't mess with much anymore. Burden. It seems to have gone the way of anointing, linguistically, philosophically, and...well, practically. We don't feel much of either, and we certainly don't talk about it. A burden seems so old fashioned. So Hudson Taylor of us. So Jonathan Edwards. Hmmm. Maybe it's something we need to resurrect. Makes me wonder what would happen if we revisited the anointing.
For all of our postmodern ranting about pursuing the mystical side of our faith - the part our modern forefathers supposedly abandon - good luck finding a postmodern speaking much about these two. Why? Because they both carry an overtone of responsibility and others-focus. When most belly-aching postmoderns talk about the mystical, what they mean is the ME-stycal. The current reformation is arguably more self centered than the prior incarnation of the church, particularly in the area of prayer.
I don't suppose to know exactly why I'm praying for Los Angeles this morning, but I am. May God rest on the city of angels today.
7 comments:
Hey Kelsey! Load up the moving van again! :)
Oh, and this line...
When most belly-aching postmoderns talk about the mystical, what they mean is the ME-stycal.
...hits home this morning.
RE: The moving van. Get thee behind me, Charlie...
Ill join in with you Randy.
See you even have Brent willing to help you move...
And yes, burden is definetly the word to use. It describes it perfectly. This thing that God puts in your heart and you know in your knower something is there... not always sure what... not always clear as crystal... but a burden that demands a response...
Actually I dont want to help you move.
i was just in LA (Laguna Nigel) and there was such a sense of the land and the water being angry and the need to pray for peace and protection over the land and the people of LA in general. i think it is on the Lord's heart to pray for them right now. lean into it
My childrens Godparents and my pastor/spiritual father has been practically beating Matthew 11:28-30 into me. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
This scripture helps me keep "burdens" in perspective. I am awakened at night burdened to pray for someone. I have learned not to discount those times. God always provides the energy for the day. Funny, enough, usually in the way of a great coffee too :)
As forerunners of the end times, I am learning to appreciate the burdens as an honor from God. I cannot think of a better thing to be burdened with than prayer.
Post a Comment