Thursday, January 9, 2014

Cover Me

It's funny really.

Being back in a place you've been before many times and remembering all of the good which has come your way the last several years.
Romans 8:26-28 (MSG) #verseOfReflection #d-shedRemix

...the moment we get tired in the waiting, 
God’s Spirit is...helping us along. 
...we don’t know how or what to pray...He does our praying
...prayer out of our wordless sighs...aching groans. 
He knows us far better than we know ourselves...
keeps us present before God....we can be so sure
...every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.


Today marks the 3rd time in four years I've had to attend a job fair because of scholarship obligations from my education. You see, I've never really been materially wealthy or rich and so somebody had to pay for me to go to school. Beyond that I knew God would provide so long as I worked hard, remained faithful, and continued to press on. Friends, family, and mentors alike have all been encouraging me to go out and "make it happen". I myself am more ready than I've ever been. What really helps in times like these (or any time, whether the "best or worst") is knowing that people are praying for me. In fact they're "covering me".

My heritage plays a vital role in who I am not only as a person but as a Christian. When I read the Bible, I take it "literally" that God is the "God of my ancestors". This doesn't mean that my ancestors are Jewish, more or less that I know and it has been instilled in me by my family that God has been the "God of my ancestors". Faith along with other family traditions tend to play a role in who we become as people. Whether we stick with the customs or ways of doing things as life goes on is another story.

Back to this idea of "being covered". Community is such a powerful yet underrated force; an absolute necessity. I honestly don't see why more "communities" of people aren't committed to making positive change in their life; to live how they want and not how it is or always has been. There is strength in numbers, no matter how big or small the numbers are so long as those connected believe they can make a difference and act on it, they will.


As silly as it may be to compare prayer, positive thoughts, and good will to silly string; it's very relevant. I don't know what you believe but karma and many "universal truths" like it are real and exist. When you tend to give off good vibes and do for others, it invariably does come back to you. Sometimes this happens in ways we could never imagine.

I remember back in Spring 2012 when I failed and had to figure out if I'd come back to school or not. A close friend Jeff, who also happened to be my former youth pastor, played a key role (as well as many others) in encouraging me not to give up but to keep the faith. At one point in the conversation he said, "I feel God is calling me to grow in prayer". Prayer (as Jeff and many others know) isn't only about the person who is praying. It encompasses (or should include) others who are a part of one's community as well as those who aren't. Those whom you may not ever meet or see face to face. With today's ubiquitous nature of technology being in touch with people who you may never get to know or see face to face has become an ever increasing part of reality.

What's the point? If you don't have coverage, get some. You never know what it might do for you. In addition to that cover someone else. We all have those who we can be a help or encouragement to, even if it's a stranger we bypass on the street.

We are each other's keeper, not just our brother's keeper.

Peace.

-liMitz

P.S. Pray for our leaders. They could use it.

Sumthn2Ponder (s2p):
  • How have I been "covering" for someone recently?
  • When was the last time I asked someone to "cover me"?
  • Am I covered for today?

In case you need it

Pray (CeCe Winans)