Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life.  On the Mount of Olives, the All Powerful One needed strength. Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me. [1] It may be the most poignant prayer in the Bible. It is the night before the cross, the night of Jesus’ most intense spiritual battle, the night before all hell would break loose. Earlier in the evening, Jesus shared a last supper with his disciples. Afterwards, although he knew Judas would betray him, Jesus went as usual  to the Mount of Olives. [2]  He could have gone to an alternate location, a place where Judas did not expect him to go, a place where Judas could not find him. But he did not. When he arrived at the Mount of Olives, he withdrew a stone’s throw from his disciples. He knelt and prayed, “Father, if you are willing take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Why is this prayer in the Bible? A good portion of Jesus’ life was spent in prayer. Most of these conversations have been hidden from our eyes. But ...

Welcome to Real Life . What has your attention? If I had a dollar for every time I got distracted. I wish I had some ice cream. –Anonymous “ Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task,” says Cal Newport in his book by that title. In our ultra-connected, media-saturated culture, distraction-free can be hard to come by. Newport believes it’s worth the effort. Learning to focus deeply improves our concentration which enables us to master new skills. This results in a greater sense of gratification, meaning, and purpose. Deep work enriches our lives. Prayer is a work that requires deep focus. It’s not always easy to achieve. My phone dings. My husband has a question. My mind wanders to the next item on my to-do list. It takes determination to carve out distraction-free time with God. Although Jesus Christ did not carry a smartphone, his days were full of distractions. He lived, ate, and ministered with his disciples. Jesus had no office door to c...

Welcome to Real Life . Knock, knock. Is anyone there? A river cuts through a rock  not because of its power, but its persistence. –James N. Watkins, Author Lindsey Jacobellis knows the power of perseverance. Sixteen years ago, at her Olympic debut, Jacobellis was favored to win gold in Woman’s Snowboard Cross. On her final jump, however, she fell and lost to Switzerland’s Tanja Frieden. But Jacobellis never quit. She kept trying, kept competing, kept knocking on the door of Olympic Gold. This year, at her fifth Olympic competition, Jacobellis finally won that gold medal! Perseverance is a key element of success... unfortunately.  Because we prefer quick and easy, don't we? Perseverance isn't fun, flashy, or fuzzy-warm. It's the grimy, gutsy, grappling-alone-in-the-dark resolve that quietly wins the day. Not surprisingly, perseverance is also a key element of successful prayer. (Cue that grappling-alone-in-the-dark resolve.) Jesus emphasized this with a story. A neighbor kno...

Welcome to Real Life . What do I need? Dear Lord, As your humble servant  l et me prove to you that  winning the lottery won’t change me.  Amen. [ 1] “You don’t have because you don’t ask God.” This gentle chide in the book of James never fails to encourage me to pray. If you need something, ask for it. Easy-peasy. The Lord is handing out blank checks. So, I begin contemplating. What do I need? What do I want to see happen?  But James’ next words give me pause. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2–3 NIV Yikes! Motivation is key. Maybe the lottery prayer isn’t a good idea. God’s blank check comes with a caveat. What's driving my desires? Do I need a better car or just want a shiny, new, candy-apple-red one? Do I seek success in writing because I love to encourage people or has selfish ambition crept in? I usually begin with pure intentions, but along t...

Welcome to Real Life . Where was God today? “Prayer is a moment of incarnation—God with us.” –Paul E. Miller, A Praying Life “Where was God today?” Anna wondered. She'd had a busy day working as a court reporter. That evening, when our group met for Bible study, she confessed she hadn’t thought of God all day. Remain in me. Like Anna, I have yet to learn the secret of staying vitally connected to Jesus in the midst of busy days, weeks, months. Recently, I’ve been meditating on “I am the vine, you are the branches” passages in John 15. The timing was perfect. Because it was an especially busy month. Every day, I was running out the door, praying on the road, distracted by a flurry of activities. I needed Jesus more than ever. Repeating three simple words “remain in me” helped me stay connected to my God. . . . as I also remain in you.   Jesus’ words wrap a warm, fuzzy blanket around my soul. He’s with us. Not only on the days we’re aware of his presence. He’s with us on th...

Welcome to Real Life . I’m amazed by those who ask boldly. “Buď tak dobre . . .” my mother would begin in Slovak and then pause with a mischievous grin. We knew what was coming. Translation: Be so good as to . . . Mom was about to beg a favor. She wasn’t shy about asking. Anita told me this anecdote at her funeral. “Once I called for your sister. Your mom told me she wasn’t home. But then she asked me to come over and drive her to Bingo. Of course, I couldn’t refuse your mom.” I thought of Mom as I read Nehemiah. He, too, made bold requests, though a bit more serious than a ride to Bingo. His story begins with sad news. A group just returned from Jerusalem. Nehemiah asks for an update. They give this report. “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” [1] Stunned, Nehemiah sits and weeps. For days, he mourns, fasts, and prays. Nehemiah is cupbear...