Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem.

Spiritual direction involves a process through which one person helps another person understand what God is doing and saying.

Graciousness, courtesy, compassion-this is hesed. Hesed is a quality that extends even to the animals and the land. The sabbath rest principle of Hebrew law included the needs of the livestock (Exod. 23:12). After seven years of planting and harvesting, the land itself needed "a year of complete rest" (Lev. 25:5). Even the soil of the vineyards was not to be overtaxed by planting other crops between the rows (Deut. 22:9). The oxen that trod out the grain were not to be muzzled so that they could eat while they worked (Deut. 25:4). And so on.

When we determine to dwell on the good and excellent things in life, we will be so full of those things that they will tend to swallow our problems.

But if we know that the people of God are first a fellowship of sinners, we are freed to hear the unconditional call of God's love and to confess our needs openly before our brothers and sisters. The fear and pride that clings to us like barnacles cling to others also. In acts of mutual confession we release the power that heals. Our humanity is no longer denied, but transformed.

If the Lord is to be Lord, worship must have priority in our lives. The divine priority is worship first, service second.

Prayer is - loving conversation with the One who has invited us into His embrace.