We often spend our lives with hands out and mouths open, looking for what we might consume. This is our experience as humans, in part because of how God designed us. We are created with needs and also desires, implanted by God himself (Acts 17: 24-27). Those desires inevitably send us on a search for fullness of joy. But the way God designed us, this fullness and completeness can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. As Augustine famously said of God “because you have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you."
Our desires are quite easily turned into compulsions and obsessions and often lead into wild over consumption. Our desires become cravings, the ultimate pursuit on a daily basis, and then can become the focus of our entire lives. Rather than signals meant to send us in exploration for the original source of joy - Jesus Christ - these cravings become evil taskmasters, demanding our undivided loyalty and robbing us of our peace, joy, and all the “fruits of the spirit” listed in Galatians.
Al Hassler spoke on Isaiah 55, weaving in his life story and how he pursued the things the world says will be fulfilling and where that ultimately led he and his wife, Jan. It is a powerful story about how God makes beauty from ashes. About how God is the ultimate fullness of joy. You can listen to it on our Facebook page or our website.
INVITATION: This week we are in a rich portion of scripture from the prophet Isaiah. Stop, look and listen to what the Spirit of the living God has for you this week as we take small portions and pray with it, meditate on it and take it into each day to marinate and live into what God may have for us. Do you have any needs or desires that may need to be placed into the hands of the resurrected savior? Saint Ignatius of Loyola had a term that some people find helpful: Do you have any “disordered attachments” that are controlling your life and possibly your destiny? Be open to if there might be an invitation from God regarding that this week. May the Lord open your heart, mind and soul to His plan and purposes for you during this week in Isaiah.
MONDAY: Isaiah 55:1-2: Ask the Spirit of God to be with you today as you open your eyes to consider what you might be spending time, money, or emotion on that “does not satisfy.” Consider doing a self review of the past month or two, or even year or two. How does what you spend time, money and emotion on demonstrate your values and commitments? How does it honor your Christian faith? Have you ever considered making a personal “mission statement” or a “rule of life” for yourself? Many people are using this quarantine time for just such a “reset” and focus in their spiritual lives. Here is a resource if something like that resonates within you.
TUESDAY: Isaiah 55:3-5: God has made a covenant with YOU. How is He inviting you this week to “give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live?” During this pandemic many express the feeling that it seems as though their soul is dying. Does that seem true with you? Could it be you are trying too hard? What might it look like to “try softer?” What if you gave yourself as much grace as God gives to you? We are all off balance right now and do not have our normal resources. It’s almost like the entire world has been forced into a “sabbath” period of taking a giant pause. What is God inviting you into during this “sabbath” time?
WEDNESDAY: Isaiah 55:6: This verse speaks specifically about seeking God. During this quarantine, we are all realizing just how out of control our lives really are. This was always true, but we are all feeling it very intensely right now. How are you seeking God during this time? Perhaps the methods you employed prior to the “shutdown” are not working for you now. Have you attempted to connect with God in other ways? Have you considered how you might pursue him or allow him o pursue you in new and different ways? Perhaps some more tactile approaches to connecting with God might be helpful for you. Approaches that involve your entire body, or some art work, or a long walk? Maybe beginning to journal would be soul nourishing right now? Consider expressing to God your desire to seek and find……then, as Matthew 11:15 states, “let him who has ears hear…” Watch, listen and wait. God will speak in His “still small voice” (I Kings).
THURSDAY: Isaiah 55:7-13: Prayerfully read this passage about God’s restorative mercy toward Israel. He has restorative mercy toward YOU as well. Let yourself be open to the richness of the metaphors and phrases, perhaps envisioning the drama: God’s restorative word showers down from heaven like the rain, bringing healing and fertility to the earth. As you read it a second time, notice which images or phrases seem to call for your deeper attention. Ponder one or two in turn, being open to associations you might make with your memories, your current life situation, or from other parts of Scripture. How does God’s mercy show itself in these associations? Express these ideas and feelings in prayer today.
FRIDAY: Isaiah 55:7-13: We are repeating these beautiful verses again today. How can you “soak” in God’s mercy today? How might that become a daily practice for you? How can you visualize this soaking as you begin your day today? Many people find it helpful to attach a spiritual practice to something they already do (for example: brush your teeth, wait for coffee to brew). Perhaps closing your eyes and visualizing God’s mercy being poured over you as you begin each new day might be helpful?
SATURDAY: Psalm 16:11: Do you believe there is joy and “eternal pleasures” as you seek God and walk in His ways? How might this affect your decision making processes about what does and does not satisfy? (Isaiah 55:2).