Are you being tested?

Are you being tested?

by | May 5, 2022 | Belief, God, Obedience

It was a test of patience for my friend.

“Your son still on campus today?” she texted. “Yes,” I responded quickly. She called a second later.

Her son’s car was illegally parked and about to experience a visit from a tow truck. Since he didn’t answer his phone, she asked me to call my son and have him walk to his dorm room, bang on the door and wake him up.

Guess what? My son didn’t answer either. It was mid-morning.

The funny thing is, I had the same scenario happen two months prior, except campus security called me in the middle of the night. Those college students knew the rules but ignored them.

The Israelites faced a different kind of test. A much more consequential test.

After fleeing Egypt, they made it to the edge of the land God had promised. They were so close, yet so far away. The test was to:

  • follow God’s direction
  • conquer the land and
  • live in the paradise God had set aside for them, the land He had prepared for them. 

Somewhere along the journey, they lost their way.

After spies returned from scouting the land, Joshua and Caleb encouraged the assembly to go and take possession. But the other spies told a different story. 

Their fear had already defeated them. Their fearful outlook led the rest of the community into alarm and distress.

That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Numbers 14:1-3 (NIV)

Their mistake?

The Israelites listened to the wrong voices, ignoring God’s direction. They decided it was too risky to cross the Jordan into the land.  And they failed the test. Scripture says the Lord forgave them, but they paid dearly for it. You can read the entire account in Numbers 13-14. 

What is your test today?

  • What step is God asking you to take?
  • What giant keeps you from crossing over to the other side?
  • What obstacle holds you captive?
  • What hurt still grips your heart?

Listen to the One who calls you to follow His direction. With Jesus by your side, you CAN cross over and conquer the giants. You CAN take that step of faith. You CAN overcome that obstacle.

What will it take?

What will it take?

by | Apr 28, 2022 | God, Obedience, Rest

The melodic chirping of a bird awakened me from my morning slumber. Reading in 2 Kings about the kings who did evil in the eyes of the Lord had ushered me right into sleep. With my head down, chin to my chest, I couldn’t fight it any longer.

It’s the miles, not the company, right? Trying to fit everything into the day is as familiar as the daily rising of the sun. We rush throughout the day until we collapse in bed at night, then force ourselves up the next morning to do it all again.

Once, I even fell asleep while talking to someone on the phone! How embarrassing.

What will it take to get us to slow down and rest?

Ceaseless activity is not part of God’s plan. Busyness will eventually catch up with us. There was once a man who fell asleep as he listened to the Apostle Paul preach. Problem was, he sat in a window and fell out of the third story. I wonder if his busy lifestyle finally caught up with him, too. He obviously needed rest. (Acts 20:9)

 Jesus taught us to rest by example. He also calls us to work wholeheartedly, but then to rest.

  • We can rest during trying circumstances. While in a boat with his disciples, Jesus slept during a furious storm that had seasoned fishermen fearful. (Matthew 8:23-27)
  • Removing ourselves from everyday worries and constant activities (even good ones) allows us to find rest and strength. Jesus knew when it was time to leave the crowd and headed to a mountain to pray and be alone. (Matthew 14:23)
  • Rest doesn’t always mean sleep. Resting in the middle of our journey just might present an opportunity to help someone else. Not only did Jesus stop to rest as he traveled through Samaria, that break gave Him an opportunity to meet with the Samaritan woman. Many Samaritans believed in Him as a result. (John 4:1-42)

In today’s world, rest remains a hard-to-find commodity. If we take the time to rest, we get a fresh perspective, a new outlook and renewed strength. It’s even vital for physical and mental health.

Let’s follow Jesus’ lead. Work in all our strength and power, and then take time to rest – and unplug. It might be just the thing that God uses to bless us with what is good and worthwhile.

Dance with Me

Dance with Me

by | Mar 22, 2022 | Hope, Joy, Obedience

I have a secret . . . I can’t dance. No, that’s not the secret. If you know me well, you know dancing is not a natural ability for me. That footwork gets me every time. I’m a dancer wannabe. So, I’m taking dance lessons, but I’ve not told anyone, so it’s been a secret. Until now – I finally dropped my guard and told two people after seven weeks of lessons.

I’ve always wanted to dance well. I figure if I’m going to worship and dance before the Lord in Heaven, I’d better go ahead and learn here on earth. (Just kidding)

One lesson was on what would have been my 26th wedding anniversary. Memories came flooding back of the few times my husband and I danced at weddings and symphony pops concerts. That man could dance. Me? I would become a bumbling, stumbling, giggling mess. As I giggled, he would tell me to follow his lead. If I would do just that, we were in good shape. If I lost my focus and got out of step, graceful did not describe us.

My instructor reminds me to wait, saying he will guide me in what to do next. I succeed for a while, but when I begin to anticipate his next move I get out of step and stumble. If I’ve heard the word once, I’ve heard it a hundred times. Wait.

That’s what God asks of us too, isn’t it? Wait. Follow His lead. Don’t get ahead of Him. When we wait on his next move, our steps flow as they should. When we anticipate what’s next, and move ahead on our own, we falter and fail.

When we’re in sync with God, life is beautiful. That is when we hang on and enjoy the experience.

My friend, moments of joy await you when you’re in sync with the Father. Imagine yourself in the arms of Jesus, waltzing through life. Let his strong arms and hands guide you. Let his feet take you to places of inspiration and beauty. Let His words give you hope.

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Romans 10:15
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Ecclesiastes 3:4
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Psalm 30:11-12
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.

Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Exodus 15:2
“The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”

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