"Blah, Blah, Blah" - God

Imagine the God of the universe coming down from Heaven and standing visibly in front of you.  He opens His mouth to speak.  Would you freeze so not to make a sound, not wanting to miss a single word?  Or would you tune out His words and think "blah, blah, blah" in your head?  Sounds ridiculous, right?  However I feel like I do something very similar every day.

When I am in need of guidance I listen for God to give me an answer.  I think I felt this most strongly when we were wondering if we should consider adopting our third child.  We had two wonderful children and I hadn't planned on having anymore.  Through fasting and reading the Bible God gave me two scriptures confirming that we should adopt.  Then after we met our youngest, our oldest said, "I love Youngest (of course he used his real name); I want Youngest to come live with us.  I want Youngest to be my brother!"  We had not discussed the adoption with our oldest and I know God was using his words to further confirm that we were doing His will by agreeing to adopt Youngest.

When I don't have a pressing question, however, I find it hard to diligently listen for God's words.  While God speaks to us in many ways, I believe the primary way is through the Bible.  And yet when someone posts a Bible verse on Facebook or in a blog, I often skip over it.  I read what the person wrote, and then essentially, I skip over God's words thinking "yada, yada, yada."  Why do I do this?  One reason is that I think, "Oh, I already know that verse."  Or I'll think, "This isn't my devotion time.  I'll read the Bible later."  Or, "I don't have time to read all this right now, so I'll just read that which I'm primarily interested." 

Lately, however, I have been convicted by this.  God, who made the vast universe, who made each unique person, who sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for payment for our sins, who loves each of us infinitely more than I will ever understand; THAT God wrote each of us a letter about His love and about His plan for us.  That is AMAZING when you really think about it!

God's timing is perfect and mine is definitely not.  So maybe I should read His words when they are laid out in front of me.  Maybe it is just what God knows I need to hear right then.  Althought He's always here, sometimes God can feel far away. But if I took the time to allow His words to be more a part of my life, I know I would have a richer relationship with Him. 

Maybe this behavior is not common among you.  But if it is, I would encourage you to have a renewed respect and desire for the words of God.  He may just tell you something that will change your perspective, your day...or even your life!

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.  

Psalm 119:105

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