Scripture: Psalm 78:23-29
I realize that I have not written much over the past few weeks. It is a testiment of how easily our lives can spiral out of the disipline. What caused my spiral out of a rhythm of prayer. You might think it would be something sinister, but no it was nothing like that. It was simply a change in the rhythm of my life. I recently changed positions at my job outside the church. With this new position came a different schedule, then another change, and yet another. I know it sounds like an excuse but little things in our lives, things that in many ways are good, can drastically change the expression of our relationship with God.
Israel was met with a rhythm change several times in their history. They were nomads, slaves, nomads againg, warriors, farmers, traders, and exciles each of these lifesyle changes changed the way they related to the God that loved them and called them to be His people. This Psalm was remembering the past, remembering how their God carried them through a change in the rhythm of life.
What changed for them? They went from an enslaved people to a group wondering in the wilderness. Though they were basically free they still had to adjust to a radically different life. They we faced with challenges they did not anticipate this caused them to look back to those days of slavery with distorted vision. As slaves their most basic needs were met, at least they were had enough food. In the desert they did not know where their food would come from. They began to fall into a rhythm of complaining instead of praise, they quickly forgot the amazing exodus out of the land of bondage and began to focus on their base needs.
Life changes always require adjustment. I think this is the greatest treasure we recieve from the trail our spiritual ancestors walked. When they were hungrey God fed them with bread and meat, and when they were thirsty God provided the water through a stone. They forgot that God was in the exodus, they also forgot the promises He made to their fore fathers, God would provide an was providing. All they had to do to see His mighty hand was to change their perspective, and proceed in faith.
Life’s rhythm constantly changes, this requires us to adjust to it. These adjustments can be seen as trials, or we can see them in a more positive light. These changes can be like a dance with God leading, turning, and moving forward and back. We can train our spiritual lives to respond to these movements and respond, or we can step on toes and trip. (If I were really dancing steel toes would be required)
If you dance or if you do not the fact remains the same, as our lives change we must adjust. Jobs change, worship communities change, our political ideals change, even our families change, pretty much everything about our lives change daily. How we adjust to and respond to these changes reflect our relationship with God. I am not saying that if you struggle you are not trusting. Actually I am saying the opposite are we responding with trust as God throws us a different step and turn, or are we letting go of His hand and stomping our feet. To learn to dance we practice, trust, and follow the lead that is what this Psalm is about. Remember that God will provide through every twist and turn, Our job is to keep trusting and adjustin our movements to His.
Now you all witnessed a period of my own adjustment in the rhythm of life. A simple change in my job cycle caused a twist in my prayer cycle. I encourage you all to reflect on these scriptures, reflect on the history of these children of Israel and reflect on our own responces to the changes in life. I also encourage us all to be very mindful of our rhythm of prayer, it is through prayer our relationship with God and our ability to respond gracefully to others is built. So let us all dance with God in the rhythm of life.
Discussion
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