In right - Out right for 2010

Last week in the Neighborhood Bible Study, we talked about what it means for something to be in God's "right hand" or someone to "sit at His right hand" as we discussed Rev. 5:1 & 7. We also mentioned that group dynamics research proves that the person seated to the right of the "leader" is the one in the power position as far as influence is concerned. I shared an incident from my days in the Army Nurse Corps. As a new LTC (Lieutenant Colonel) & as the Asst. Chief Nurse for the military hospital at Fort Leavenworth, I occassionally would fill in for the Chief Nurse. One of her jobs was to brief the Medical Commander of the hospital each morning on the patients & other things that had occurred in the hospital in the past 24 hours. One of the first times I filled in for the Chief Nurse, I walked into the Commander's Office & took the chair that was open & closest to the Commander. Thinking that since I would be doing the briefing, I would want to be close to the Commander, I didn't think about it being the first chair on his right. About as soon as I sat down, the Chief of Preventive Medicine walked in the door & straight over to my chair. "That is my chair," he demanded. I replied, "I did not see a sign on this chair & besides, I am a woman." Everyone else in the room was a man & most of them had smirks on their faces as the Commander told the Chief of Preventive Medicine to find another seat so we could get started. Only after the morning briefing did the Adjutant pull me aside to tell me how I had "cracked up" everyone! It was known by the others that the chair closest to the Commander's right hand was the "power position" in the room. The Chief of Preventive Medicine always grabbed that chair if possible. He even bullied the others for it. Since he was almost late that day, I unknowingly outwitted him. My comment about being a woman just added to the hilarity of the whole scene as far as they were concerned. (Thankfully I had previously developed a personal relationship with the Commander & his wife through my assignment as the hospital representative to the Red Cross, so the Commander supported me in my blunder.) Anyway, I guess my mind was still ruminating on this "right hand" meaning as I read Psalm 16 in my devotions this morning.

Psalm 16:8 jumped off the page at me. "I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." I would paraphrase that to myself as, " My eyes must remain focused on the LORD & I must let Him be my chief influencer in 2010." A friend of mine has an e-mail address of inrightoutright@----.com. I am sort of borrowing the "in right - out right" idea as the spiritual theme of 2010 for myself. Like computers, what we put into our minds & bodies will be displayed for the world to see given time. The food I eat will show on my body. What I choose to input to my mind will overflow into my attitudes, words & actions. (Matt. 12:33-37) I so need the Holy Spirit to guard my eye, ear & mouth gates today & every day of the year, so my output will be pleasing to Him. Psalm 16:8 gives me one of the keys to achieving my goal. No matter what 2010 brings my way, my soul/spirit will be calm & at peace in the LORD as long as my focus & position in relationship to Him remain right.

This was tested immediately in early January, when my daughter moved in with her boyfriend. She says they got a marriage certificate first, but we have not verified that. They plan to have a church wedding at a later date...whatever that may mean. She is all set to start college nursing courses toward an LPN on Jan. 25th. So far, I have responded by placing this firmly in the LORD's hands & have prayed continually for Esther & Robert. Esther usually chooses to do everything the "hard way". Two large transitions so close together without much family support is a difficult way for her to start 2010.

Have a great week in the LORD with Him at your right hand. May He be the chief influencer in your life & the Commander, too!