Today’s practical tip is guest posted by devo extraordinaire, Emily Cabitac. Our love for women’s ministry brought us together in Hawaii, and our love for Jesus keeps us in touch over the miles. There is always depth to Emily’s words, even the simplest of them. Today’s words are no different. Enjoy her post, written just for you, all the way from California. ~ Kristi
I started Bikram Yoga. Bikram is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, and my first class was an eye-opener. I learned that sweat can pour out of my body by the gallons, and that I was capable of praying without ceasing.
“Dear God, please help me…
Lord, is this what hell is like?
I’m tired, Father.”
Throughout, I pleaded with God to help me through self-imposed torture. It was so hot I couldn’t breathe; muscles I never knew existed screamed in agony.
Blinded by perspiration and a barrage of idle thoughts: When is this over? Did I put enough money in the meter? What is my husband doing?, I struggled to listen to the teacher and tried my best to do the postures.
During a short rest, I sensed the Holy Spirit. Emily, when you go through seemingly impossible situations and pray, I want you to HEAR ME as clearly as you hear this teacher’s voice. I will tell you your next move. And you WILL do it.
“God, is that You?
I can barely focus on the teacher’s voice.
What do You mean You’ll tell me my next move?”
Then it hit me.
Yoga was about pulling and stretching my body in all directions, challenging my balance and flexibility. I was to hear my teacher’s voice and submit, breathing through the difficulty. The end result: a stronger, healthier me.
What does this have to do with prayer? I was praying buckets during yoga. Oftentimes though, prayer is my one-way conversation with God, complaining about life’s situations and hoping for a way out. He listens, He does. But God was asking me to speak less and listen more.
He wants me to call on Him when the world feels less-than-heavenly and it hurts to keep going. He knows my pain; therefore, He knows how to help me. When I “pause” to breathe in His Spirit and intentionally listen for His voice, He’s crystal-clear, revealing His good and perfect will for my life. Then I can take bold action.
1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
Our goal is to live a life of OBEDIENCE IN ACTION.
In order to know God’s will and do it, WE NEED TO HEAR HIM.
Prayer involves reaching out, being intimate with God, and embracing His desires for us.
When the going gets tough, we tend to complain and quit. Instead, let’s raise our hands up and declare, “God, You are my Lord, My Savior. I follow Your lead because You love me and Your way is better.”
And when He speaks, respond, “Yes, Lord. I agree. It is good,” and pray everything back to Him, committing to do exactly what He says to do.
Yoga has made my body stronger, healthier. But more importantly, my prayers are deeper, and I hope, closer to the heart of God. Let’s talk less, listen more, and obey with full confidence that we have what we ask for.
About Emily Cabitac~
I am blessed to be called Wife to an A-MAY-ZING Man (married 15 years this month!) and Homeschool Mom to three Fun and Wildly Energetic Boys. I love to sing and dance and play the guitar, as well as run and bike and be “sporty”. I am a Consultant for Rodan+Fields which is my fun time, since I get to speak with adults. My passion is to see people fall in love with Jesus and live their lives empowered by the Holy Spirit – in essence, to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!
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