10/2-10/6 Devo Two

This is the second devotional for the week of October 2 through October 6, 2017, from Vicki Wagner.

Since I’m more comfortable with the written word than the spoken (and especially not video!), I decided to share an idea that is currently helping me in daily life. It’s not a new idea, I’ve done it many times in the past, but like many devotional practices, it can get old or trite or uninteresting, or your attention just goes somewhere else. When I discover it all once again, I’m overwhelmed by how easy it is!

Many people have daily devotional time, in the morning, in the evening, before bed. Some do it with families. For that quiet, personal time, some people read the Bible, memorize verses, read an inspiration Christian book, write in a journal, go to Bible studies, go to weekly chapel or devotions, etc.

For the musicians in this group, especially worship leaders J, this daily devotional may be a standard practice.  For parents in this group, you might have similar feelings about what is driving me to pull closer to God and find more time each day for prayer.

Here’s a bit of background of where I’m coming from, before I reveal the simple idea I use.

When I had my first son in 1987 and I became responsible for this tiny, beautiful gift from God, I had to stop reading, watching and listening to the news. I also cancelled my newspaper. It was just too upsetting to think that my perfect, innocent child would have to deal with this broken world. Even though I had a strong faith, it hurt my heart to read about all of the trouble and then look at his happy, baby face. How could I ever explain it all to him?

There were wars, fires, shootings, natural disasters, political fighting people suffering, dying, crying, cheating, lying, killing…well, being a journalism/public relations major, it was difficult because I was a news hound.  There was no internet, but I devoured newspapers, magazines, TV and radio talk shows all my life. I studied how to analyze, dissect, and discuss. Of course, after a baby, I had lots less time for these things, but really, I had no stomach for it. The world was a scary place, as I looked at it through my infant’s eyes. I wanted to live in oblivion, in the warm, cozy, sweet place we weaved around our son and in our home, and the bubbles we created at church, school, with family and friends.

As my boys grew up, I found the skills to discuss world and local affairs with them, to help guide them to an understanding of their place in the world, and how they could help by dedicating their lives to Jesus and his teachings. We all grew together in our faith in God’s protection and love.

So gradually, we started reading the newspaper, selectively watching the news, and discussing what we saw. Then came 9/11, and that primal fear came back. This time, I did not shield them from anything – we saw and talked and prayed about it all. They were in middle & high school by then.

I am proud of where my boys are in their lives now. Since 9/11, I tuned back in. I must say, this past year and a half have been difficult for many of us. So much chaos in the political and natural realms, it’s dizzying. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, another hurricane hits, tweets fly, people are suffering 24-7, right on our screens, in print, and in discussions with family and friends. Just this past weekend, the girlfriend of my nephew was hit by a bullet in the Las Vegas tragedy. She is still hospitalized, but will survive. It’s terrifying when it starts to hit close to home.

But it seems I can’t look away from the chaos. Maybe I should mute notifications of news on my cell phone and my browsers.  Maybe I should impose another news blackout. Because it hits me hard on somedays.

This time, it’s because a new life was born to my son last March, a beautiful, innocent grandson, who looks just like his dad. That instinct to protect came roaring back. I needed a break from news and gloom and doom. I needed to turn my face to God.

So…I turned once again to a tried and true way to pray daily, several times a day, whenever I’m in my car. It is so good for my soul, because sometimes, I just can’t find the words.

I turn on Christian radio, and sing along with the songs. Or, if I don’t know the song, I just listen with my heart. God is speaking to me.

My favorite now is Sirius/XM “The Message,” channel 63. Before I was fortunate enough to have that service, I’d listen to KLOVE 91.9FM.  I’ve even put that on at work a few times, with the sound low. Even if I’m not paying attention to the words, that blessed music is pounding into my psyche and soothing the cares and fears.

It’s so easy – singing, tapping along on the morning commute. I dedicate that time to God, and it’s like prayer. 20 minutes of prayer in the morning, 20 minutes of prayer in the afternoon. WOW. I wasted that time so many days, listening to bad news, fake news, oldies, alt rock, even jazz and spa music (not that music is ever a waste!)  But it’s the easiest thing in the world to tune in to Christian music and it doesn’t take a lot of thinking of what to say to God – just use the words others are writing and performing, and use them to pray.

Here are the lyrics to my current favorite song, because it sums up what I want to say to God right now. We need you, God. It’s not a new song, it’s not a new idea. I’ve heard it a hundred times in the past. But it really hit home a few weeks ago. It  fits so relevantly with today’s news and chaos. It’s an awesome prayer.

Casting Crowns (2009)

Hear our cry, Lord we pray,
Our faces down, our hands are raised,
You called us out, we turned away, we've turned away.

With ship wrecked faith, idols rise,
We do what is right, in our own eyes,
Our children now, will pay the price,
We need Your light, Lord, shine Your light.

If we've ever needed You, Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now,
We are desperate for Your hand, we're reachin' out, we're reachin' out.

All our hearts, all our strength,
With all our minds, we're at Your fate,
May Your Kingdom come, in our hearts and lives,
Let Your Church arise, let Your Church arise!

If we've ever needed You, Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now,
We are desperate for Your hand, we're reachin' out, we're reachin' out, we're reachin' out

If we've ever needed You, Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now,
We are desperate for Your hand, we're reachin' out, we're reachin' out,
If we've ever needed You, Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now,
We are desperate for Your hand, we're reachin' out, we're reachin' out

We need You now
Revive us now
We need You now

There’s even a cool video of this song.

Like I said – this isn’t new. Many of you contribute musically to your church, your school, your family. It’s worship practice. But this proved to be easy for me, and sometimes I just put my playlist on wherever I am. It’s filled with songs like this, along with some Coates, Wolfe, Vitchev, and VCJazz Ensemble mixed in!

One more share - I saw this poem recently in a Facebook post by a friend. As Adrian said in his devotional last week – listen to the quiet sounds around you – it’s God’s voice. It’s your spirit.

I now use this as a prayer.

When we can’t find the

Words to express our

Needs, feelings, thoughts

Or depth of desperation,

The Holy Spirit is present to help us.

When we don’t know how to pray,

The Spirit intercedes for us

With sighs too deep for words.

~ ELCA Prayer Ventures adapted from Romans 8:26

I hope this writing might help some of you, and I look forward to your sharing of your ideas/routines/devotions in a future post here on this Conservatory Devotions site.

Thank you,

Vicki