Sunday, May 11, 2008

Dear God,

I struggled for every word of the sermon. It took nearly an hour to write three paragraphs. I just kept praying.

Last night I wrote all my thoughts on paper. I read the commentaries and took notes. I prayed. And as always I went to bed, allowing the message to collect in my spirit and mind. I was writing with a fury. The spirit always excites me. The Holy Spirit is such an active presence in my life even when no one is watching. I had so many ideas when I went to bed.

But morning brought quiet. I had to hunt in each dark corner for a word, a phrase. Yet, several people were moved by the message. At the second service I wanted to walk up and down the aisles, crying out, "Do you know what we're talking about here? It's the Spirit of the Living God! Get moved by God!"

I wonder if we Americans will ever get excited again about such things. I wonder if we will ever get back to what is truly important. Parents want to be sure their kids are part of sports teams but far less concerned about church things. When kids face tragedy, a friend dying of a drug overdose or someone killed in an accident, they will want long-term answers. It won't be the sports teams that will give them respite because they will long for answers that really count for the long haul. They will one day want to understand their purpose in life. Where will they turn?

What will happen
to the world's children
if they don't have
a godly center,
a center where God
is first.
America's children
think they are first.
Their parents
have taught them
that belief.
What is the word
for them?
How long
will they be willing
to hunt
in dark corners
to find
the Word
for themselves?
It's a sad dilemma.
Help us,
please.

Love, Andrea