When I think about writing the next installment on simplicity of heart, I stop thinking about it. I’m not sure where to start, but I’m also intimidated at the whole process. Like, for example, how keenly aware I am that my inner world this morning didn’t line up with anything I would write about.
But I really don’t want that to stop me.
So on we travel.
Last time I ended on the note of obedience. I don’t think that word is very popular in our culture. It conjures up only negative images for a lot of us. We most definitely prefer our independence and rights over any notion of obedience.
And yet…
There’s something so beautiful in not being ultimately in control. In knowing and actually living out the reality that there’s One Who knows better and He might have a better idea than I do. In fact, I’m learning that’s what prayer is (in this study our group is doing). If prayer were about us getting God to change His mind, His plans could be thwarted (Job42:2), He wouldn’t be doing what He wants (Ps115:3) but what I want, His plans wouldn’t be standing firm forever (Ps33:11) and He would be like a man changing His mind (1Sam15:29) rather than being unchanging (Num23:19).
No, He is working according to a plan. Thank goodness. And He desires mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment! However, when sin is going to bear the natural consequence (death) in a situation, God looks for an intercessor. Someone whose heart can sync up with His heart and mind. Someone who will stand in the gap (Ezek22) on behalf of those who would otherwise bear the consequences of their disobedience. Dean writes, “What God wants to do on the earth, He will do through intercessors… When God wants to change the course events will take on their own, He calls out an intercessor.” (page 27)
So, no, prayer does not change God, but “prayer does change the circumstances of earth. If we approach prayer as if God’s mind needed to be changed, then aren’t we starting out with the supposition that God is about to make a mistake? But if we understand that every thought and intention in the mind of God is good and righteous, then we will enthusiastically cooperate with Him, praying His power and provision onto the earth.”
Prayer changes us. We get to line up with His desires in whatever situation we’re talking to Him about. Soon we find His words remaining in us more and more (John15:7). We’re not so confused about what to ask in a situation, or so selfish, because we’ve been spending more and more time with Him. He’s teaching us to line up with Him.
And I think that’s the spirit of obedience Foster refers to that I quoted last time. When we get to know His voice through the Word and the Spirit, and obey even when it’s hard, He changes us. When we get honest in our prayer lives about what we really are wanting in the situation, and then get to the place where we can sincerely say, “Not my will, but Yours,” we don’t rise up from our knees the same.
Can you see why it would be important for us to start here if we’re going to address money and possessions and time and living in simplicity? If you don’t, the odds of missing the point are pretty high. But if we start with Him as the ultimate Treasure, and us as moldable and obedient, we can begin to talk about our bank accounts.
Thus, Foster starts with Christ the Center. And the inner reality that must be in place. “If all within us is honed down to the single treasure of Christ and his kingdom, then we are living in the light of simplicity.” (pg. 41)
But how does that happen? How do we get there in our lived-out reality? Isn’t that why we read the Bible, share life with like-minded people, go to church, pray? I would say most definitely. And Foster adds his thoughts on going deeper, which challenged me.
But I think that should wait. So until next time!