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I don’t know about you, but I am not the most patient person. I like things to be moving, clicking. I like it when cars in front of me move fast and when things are going forward at work. I hate waiting, especially when waiting doesn’t look productive or when waiting means more than a few days. When waiting interrupts my neatly planned schedule or blocks some long-held dream, the ire rises in me.
When waiting drags on indefinitely and goals are placed on hold, when I wonder if things I have longed for will ever materialize, that’s when I find myself saying to God, Come on already! What gives? I am ready for my break. I am ready for my breakthrough. I am over the breakups and the breakdowns. What’s taking so long? You know I am all over that next plan you have for me, so bring it on!
But God isn’t impressed with my need for speed. He pulls up a chair and listens patiently. He just lets me beat the air. He lets me get it all out. And then He says with a certain firmness in His tone, Nope. It’s time you do the little stuff. Keep on keeping on. I know the beginning from the end. No worries. You just be faithful in the small stuff right now.
But God?!
Little things. Small beginnings. There is that verse in Zechariah 4:10 about not despising all of that. There is a reason that the word “despise” is clearly used. It’s because some of us hate the thought of doing the stuff that holds no glory. Read the rest of this entry »
Oh the joys of a really good, meat-filled sandwich—now there is a satisfying meal. And places like Subway have been making it their claim to fame for years.
But try separating those two foods, so that you eat only bread in the morning and only meat at night. Not quite the same thing, is it? And it gets worse if this diet continues for days, even months.
Now imagine that the bread you eat when you arise is the same white flaky stuff. It kind of looks like frost and it’s sweet, but it’s definitely some kind of grain, although you really can’t put your finger on what kind. The best way to think about it is to put it in today’s breakfast cereal terms: It’s like Frosted Flakes. But even such a sugary daily dose of dry cereal can get old after a while.
Stranger things have happened in real life. Let’s look back. . .way back. Read the rest of this entry »
Since I have been out in the desert, there have been some Bible verses that have really been speaking to my soul. It seems God is teaching me something about the hard ground of people’s hearts and the importance of the life-giving nature of the Lord in a desolate place.
I like to hike on weekends to this peak not far from where I live to unwind and enjoy God’s beautiful backyard before the weather gets too hot.
And on this one particular Saturday afternoon, one verse really came to mind as I was trying to find sure footing on the way down the steep, rocky mountain. Instinctively, I knew to look for sections where there were immovable rocks, rather than trying to put all my weight on shifting pebbles and loose rocks. Read the rest of this entry »
God has a way of surprising us, doesn’t He?
Just when you think you know why He has called you to go somewhere and do a certain predetermined thing, God comes in with His own agenda. It can be arresting, certainly, especially for those of us who would consider ourselves planners. It also can be delightful – enough to bring tears of thanksgiving when we let God have His way with us.
I had one of those moments recently while attending the CLASS Christian Writers Conference out at the (Holy) Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu, New Mexico, as a workshop leader and as one of the singers on the nightly worship team, led by the beautiful and talented Melodie Griffin. Read the rest of this entry »
I have been thinking a lot about Old Testament Abraham and his original call from God when he was called Abram. It’s written done in the book of Genesis chapter 12.
“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1, NIV).
What follows is God’s famous promise to make Abraham into a great nation: what many biblical scholars refer to as the Abrahamic covenant.
Abraham’s response is simple: “So Abram left, as the LORD had told him . . . ” (Genesis 12:4, NIV).
When we read this Scripture passage, we can quickly forget that God left out a lot of details about Abram’s transition– that is, until we are facing our own call to a new land. Read the rest of this entry »
Even as you read this, I am probably heading over the top of your neighborhood, high in the clouds above on a big jet plane. Planes always make me think of eagles: strong and able to fly above the storms of life.
Maybe you are experiencing some turbulence right where you are. If it’s getting you down, remember that you need to turn those problems and worries over to the Lord. Problems sap your strength; trusting in the Lord renews it.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).
Have a safe landing wherever you are. Rest and peace are yours today in Christ Jesus.
– Laura J. Bagby
We spend much of our lives waiting, don’t we? Waiting for the mail. Waiting for our paycheck. Waiting for the school year to end. Waiting for the traffic light to change.
And just when we think all that waiting is over, we end up waiting again – this time for different things. I am not one who enjoys waiting. But if life consists largely of doing just that, I know it would benefit me to learn how to wait well. Read the rest of this entry »
