On a wing and a prayer . . .

On a wing and a prayer . . . 2 Timothy 3.16-17 

Several weeks ago, I was in the Apple store discussing something related to podcasting and my MacBook.  The manager, to whom I was speaking, asked about my boss’s expectations . . . ‘Oh, here we go,’ I thought and then smiled, ‘Boss?  Well, you see,’ I chuckled, ‘if I had a boss, at least a regular boss, I would probably quit right about now.  It has been a very tough several months in my field, but the thing is, I work for God . . .’ and then explained what I do.  ‘Tough as it is sometimes—I know I’ve been called—so until something changes, I will keep doing the best I know how, though ministry can exact quite a toll.’  Funny thing is—my manager friend was really okay with that.

Simply, what do I do?  I endeavor to share the love of God with folks.  The truth is that a relationship with Jesus Christ changes everything.  The best way I can tell of God’s love is to communicate what is on the pages of my well-worn Bible.  Oh, I know—believe me, I’ve heard it so many times . . . the Bible can be difficult to understand, at least at first.  Plus, generations of religious people have been told they had better leave Bible study to those who were properly trained to read and understand it.  [I guess I never got that memo.]

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.¹  And again I say, ‘Don’t you just love Paul?!’  I truly wish I could sit down and share a pot of coffee with him.  Someday. 

Anyways . . . Scripture is the primary source and location where the words of God may be found.  I love to read it every single morning when the day is still fresh.  Sometimes, when looking to express my feelings for a really big God, I turn to the Psalms:                                                                                        I love to write these words as a prayer of worship~                                    “O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
                        Your glory is higher than the heavens.
 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,
     silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
             the moon and the stars you set in place—
 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
            human beings that you should care for them?
                              Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.”²  

Psalms (songs) express every single emotion, including gratitude, awe, praise, fear, sorrow, anger, remorse and even a wondering about what God is doing, and when he will show up.  Psalms let us know that scripture and our God is more than big enough to deal with all of who we are, our very human condition, at any point in time. 

When I am feeling small, even a little lost, with regard to how God might know me or I might make a difference, or one of a hundred other small thoughts, the psalmist again captures both my mind and God’s heart and mind toward me:  “O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.”³

We are known, we are understood, and wait … did you see it?  God knows when I travel.  So right now, he sees me winging my way across the country, some 3000 miles, as I travel from California to New York to a book convention, on a wing and a prayer.  Tomorrow morning I will do a ‘book signing’ of Morning Briefings: Philippians and Colossians, a book I paid to publish on my own as a total act of obedience (that which I believe God prompted me to do), praying now that a publisher just might pick it up.  Why do I make such a huge financial investment in the daily studies I wrote from those two letters of Paul’s? Why do I make such a journey?  Because I believe in the power of God’s words, and I wish to obey and do my part.  

On a wing and a prayer.  Pray with me that God will prosper Morning Briefings, won’t you? 

^{1 – 2 Timothy 3.16-17, NLT}

^{2 - Psalm 8.1-5}

^{3 – Psalm 139.1-4}