At last I heard – not verbally, but clearly – the word Engage.
Really? “What do you mean, Lord?”
I didn’t hear an answer, just an impression that I should think about it. When I searched online for a definition, a few meanings popped out at me (from MerriamWebster.com):
to offer (something, such as one's life or word) as backing to a cause or aim: to expose to risk for the attainment or support of some end
to interlock with: MESH
to deal with especially at length
to pledge oneself: PROMISE
to enter into conflict or battle
Okay, the last one makes me uncomfortable, but we’ll talk about it in a bit. The picture I got from these definitions is a connection, but more than a simple touch. To connect is like a wave or fist bump, while to engage is like a hug. Closer, longer, with greater intent.
I’d gotten into the habit of scrolling through Facebook, the only social media I use, and simply hitting Like, Love, or Wow icons in response to posts. That’s a fist bump or maybe even a long-distance wave.
God opened my eyes to realize how much it means to me when I post something and get comments, whether positive or negative, showing that someone actually read and reacted to things I considered important enough to share. “Do unto others” fits here, and I’m trying.
Engagement often means a pledge, as in the third meaning – and hopefully not the fourth! But it does fit with the first, also, as one offers his life for the one he loves. Sound familiar? Jesus Christ showed us what engagement means at its core: sacrificial love.
Sometimes, however, we are called to fight. When evil wants to rule us, we must engage in battle, not in our own power but by the Spirit of God.
That brings me to my final thought-offering. As I meditated on Engage, I heard an echo of my long-ago driving lessons: “Don’t forget to engage the parking brake.” Yes, there are times when we need to hit full stop. We lived in a hillside town when I was learning to drive, and the parking brake was needed to prevent the car from sliding down the hill.
In the same way, pride, temptations and fears want us to slide down the steep slope to doubts and despair. Then it’s time to engage the parking brake.
In this first month of 2022, the year ahead beckons. I have no idea what God has planned, but as I seek to engage according to His leading, it’s bound to be an adventure!
This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. (Titus 3:8, NASB)
Be quick to abstain from senseless traditions and legends, but instead be engaged in the training of truth that brings righteousness. (1 Timothy 4:7, TPT)
(READY, SET…ENGAGE!
After last year’s confusion and aimlessness concerning writing and life, I needed a focus word for 2022. My request was less a prayer and more a continuous, “Please show me, Lord.”
This went on for several weeks, until last week I heard – not verbally, but clearly – the word Engage.
Really? “What do you mean, Lord?”
I didn’t hear an answer, just an impression that I should think about it. When I searched online for a definition, a few meanings popped out at me (from MerriamWebster.com):
to offer (something, such as one's life or word) as backing to a cause or aim: to expose to risk for the attainment or support of some end
to interlock with: MESH
to deal with especially at length
to pledge oneself: PROMISE
to enter into conflict or battle
Okay, the last one makes me uncomfortable, but we’ll talk about it in a bit. The picture I got from these definitions is a connection, but more than a simple touch. To connect is like a wave or fist bump, while to engage is like a hug. Closer, longer, with greater intent.
I’d gotten into the habit of scrolling through Facebook, the only social media I use, and simply hitting Like, Love, or Wow icons in response to posts. That’s a fist bump or maybe even a long-distance wave.
God opened my eyes to realize how much it means to me when I post something and get comments, whether positive or negative, showing that someone actually read and reacted to things I considered important enough to share. “Do unto others” fits here, and I’m trying.
Engagement often means a pledge, as in the third meaning – and hopefully not the fourth! But it does fit with the first, also, as one offers his life for the one he loves. Sound familiar? Jesus Christ showed us what engagement means at its core: sacrificial love.
Sometimes, however, we are called to fight. When evil w