caring

Caring
6-16-09
I’ve known for some time now that if I want to be sure of God’s leading I have to care about what I’m asking Him. Sounds simple, but some of my prayers are not so full of caring. They are “God bless aunt Norma, and please save uncle Art . . .“ I care about people, but finding the leading for my prayers when it’s the day’s end and I’m tired isn’t always easy. I used to wonder why we needed to pray for people if Jesus “always lives to intercede” for us (Heb 7:25b). Seems like the Son of God’s prayers should carry enough weight. Today the Lord gave me an answer.

He said that a husband and wife who each care about the same thing become one. In the garden of Eden Adam needed a helper, so God gave him Eve. She was his “helpmate” (Gen 2:18), involved in his life and growing to care about all he cared about. In the same way the Lord Jesus still lives on and cares about us, praying for us. He likes to share with those who pray and tell them what His cares are. This is so that we might become one, in caring. Our hearts become knit together, much the same as a husband and wife’s.

The Lord also likes to share with those who care about what He cares about. He has often filled my heart with prayer for a person, and that spiritual language begins to be translated into English, transforming my mind by the magic of His love for the one we are praying for. God loves to share with us. And God loves to care with us.
Back to caring about the topic or outcome of what we are praying for . . . it is written that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jms 5:16b). God created us to be passionate about what we want. It is life that cools us off. And unbelief comes to douse the final sparks that remain in our prayers. Then our prayers become like a march in the dark, heading towards sleep or some other preferred activity. Let us promise ourselves today that we will care. And in caring, let us knit our hearts with He who cares above us all. He has much to share with those who listen, and as His bride, we will hang on His every word.

In Song of Solomon we read “ . . . let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” (SOS 2:14b – 15). The sweetness of our relationship with the Lord isn’t just about caring what each other cares about; it is also about preserving our labors together. There are things that sneak into our lives and hurt our fruit. But Jesus labored together with us to plant the vineyard and it’s for both of us to enjoy together. He will speak sweetly to us, catching the “little foxes” before our relationship is damaged.

It is by God’s design that we are the wife of His Son Jesus. If we think of our relationship as one of love, we will care. We will hear the voice of our beloved husband and not stray. And all His seeds in us will bear wonderful fruit, for it is His nature to be the Husbandman who cares for his field. Today, ask Jesus what’s on His heart. Amen.