A Donkey? Really?

“Eee-aaw! Eee-aaw! You’re a donkey!”  That was the ridicule I faced from one fellow classmate back in grade school.  Oh, how I hated it!  I still remember the feeling of cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment.  After all what young girl wants to be identified with a barnyard animal, let alone one that is equated with stubbornness.   So it may seem odd to you that I have taken this to be my pseudonym.  But you see, over time I have come to understand that young classmate unknowingly spoke some truth.

In the Bible in Numbers chapter 22, Baalam (a diviner) was summoned by the King of Moab to curse the Israelites.  On his way to Moab an angel of the Lord blocked his path, but Baalam did not see the angel.  The donkey he was riding did see the angel, though, and refused to move forward even after being struck three times by Baalam.  In verse 28 it is written, “Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Baalam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?’”  God enabled an ordinary donkey to speak his rider’s language!  Then, in what I think is the most amusing passage in the entire Bible, Baalam, still not seeing the angel proceeded to argue with the donkey.  Finally verse 31a says, “Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand.”

So it is with this in mind that I identify with the donkey.  I am just one of God’s many creations that go through the motions of life here on Earth.  But if I’m paying attention and my focus is on the Lord, I see things that are amazing, things that are inspiring, things that I want to share with you!  I do not write this out of arrogance, but humility.  For I know the things of God are visible to anyone who earnestly seeks them.  And I also know that there are so many things I miss because I do not have proper focus.   One reason I am starting this blog is to motivate myself to meditate on God’s Word and diligently look for how it applies to daily life.  In addition, I hope that it will encourage those of you that believe in Jesus and that it will cause those of you who do not believe to take a leap of faith and ask God what He wants to show you.

 

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.   

Jeremiah 29:13