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In our Sunday school class we've been looking back at the deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians. As we read about the frogs, flies, and locusts I can't help but feel the heebie-jeebies! Gross! Can you even imagine? The thought of being swarmed, surrounded, and overwhelmed with those crispy, slimy, buzzy creatures makes me squirm. And you wonder, why in the world did Pharoah hold out so long!?
It reminds me of times in my life when I heard the Spirit say, "Well, Les, we can do this the easy way or the hard way!" And, like a rebellious Tween I said, "I'll take the hard way." Well, I don't think I ever SAID that, but I implied it with my disobedience. And I wonder, why would God give me the option? Well, maybe the answer can be found in Exodus.
Moses went to Pharoah, asking him to let the Israelites go! But even when God turned the Nile to blood, when He decimated the livestock, when He rained hail down from heaven, when He inflicted them with boils, Pharoah would not be moved. Why? Well, God tells us in the 9th chapter, "I have spared you for a purpose, to spread my fame throughout the earth." I don't think the story of liberation would be quite as powerful and world reknown if Moses would have simply gone into Egypt, told Pharoah to let the people go, and Pharoah immediately complied, bowing out gracefully! No, instead, you see a bull-headed man, convinced that He will stand firm against God until the very end...now, the frogs, flies, and locusts make for a whole new incredible story!
It's the same way in my life...If I would have easily given in and been obedient, maybe I wouldn't have quite the testimony I have today. If I hadn't eaten crow, and bit my tongue, and suffered pain, my story wouldn't be quite as powerful. But, God in His grace allowed me some distance, a chance to choose, to try to walk on my own, so that I would see that I have to depend on Him to keep from falling. And because of that, I can do as Jesus instructed Paul, "...go back and strengthen [my] brothers." Because, thankfully, what I have learned can be transferred to others to inspire, encourage, and strengthen! Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Getting ready for church this morning the melodic voice of my oldest daughter rang throughout the house. She is our singer. She loves music- to listen to it, to play it (piano), and to sing it! Every night she even sings herself to sleep. This morning her song of choice was "Free to be me" by Francesca Battastelli.
I like that song, but what I like most about that song is that in this age of feel good about who you are, find the ability to do and be anything within yourself, this song shares a message that says basically that I don't have to be perfect, because in Christ I am free to be me! The power is not found simply within MYSELF, but the power is given by an amazing loving Saviour!
I smiled as I watch her heartfelt worship bursting forth in song...that is exactly the message I want to sink deep into the bone and the marrow, to saturate her heart in truth and acceptance...Christ makes her free...free to be exactly who HE created her to be! And the invitation is offered to each of us without limit and without abandon! Live free... :)
Happy New Year!! . . . and I hope this finds you Healthy, Happy and full of Hope for all that God has ahead for us this year!! With the dawn of 2010, I certainly feel the reality of the threshhold of an open door - - I sense a certain measure of change ahead in this new year, as with every year, actually.
It's a new year, and as always, there is a list of things that each and everyone of us resolve to do. I am not an exception. But, as I was thinking about the last year, and looking forward to this new year, I began to think about all the other things I had "resolved" to do, and well...they didn't exactly happen. For instance, I am not 15 pounds lighter than I was this time last year, I have not taken up piano lessons, I didn't master the art of knitting, and I did not take the time each and every night to write a journal to my daughters! Then I thought, "Maybe if I would take it slower, resolve to do the possible, commit to attaining the necessary, maybe this time next year, I won't look back in shame."
So, this year I am resolving to be easier on myself. To start off, the things that I am committing to do are not only possible, probable and attainable, but they are necessary! Here are the three things that I am focusing on this year:
1. I resolve to wake each and every day to a conversation with God.
2. I resolve to take each day as it comes, not rushing forward or looking back; one day at a time.
3. I resolve to show God's love to someone each and every day.
As I look at the list, I think, that's not so hard, but when I really contemplate what each one of those things means, the time that it will take, the energy it will require...maybe it isn't so attainable! Oh, but it is necessary! So, with jaw clenched and head held high I march into the year...not rushing forward or looking back, one day at a time...afterall, it is what I have resolved to do and do it, I will. You'll see!
