The Bible says we can cry out to Him–He’s not “afraid” of our emotions…and with each experience, we can learn to TRUST Him more…and it deepens our FAITH. Babies don’t run marathons…It’s a ridiculous notion, in fact. And in much the same way, spiritual “babies” must grow in their Faith walk so they don’t “run the race in vain” as Paul said.
In this specific incidence, I had taken a Sunday off to spend with the guy I was seeing. So when we broke up days before, I stayed home to “regroup” and spend time with God. And during that precious quiet time, He told me that this time was a Gift to both of us. There were things God wants to share with him, and there were things for me to do. He had already shown me that after tri-guy; but I didn’t have a chance to deal with the busy-ness before meeting this next guy. Why on earth I actually chose to PAY to date during August, with kids going back to school and my commitment to spirit wear sales at the High School… I may never know. But I simply couldn’t juggle it all, and the proverbial balls were dropping. That’s why I wasn’t posting during that time…it had nothing to do with him. I just was so busy that my mind wasn’t free to receive the words.
God “gently reminded” me that He doesn’t need me in order for Him to receive glory; and these words are His gift to me…I just share them. But I had committed my time to volunteer and I take my commitments seriously, so I knew that I needed to take advantage of this gift of time in between relationships to honor my commitments…and then intentionally free up my time to put towards things and people that matter most to me and that will make the most impact for God’s kingdom. So I have done just that…getting my “house in order”. And now, I’m choosing simply to REST in HIM. There is Peace in the “in-between” times when we rest.
And having posted yesterday about God rewarding those who “diligently seek Him”, I smiled last night when I watched a brief video about how the Israelites were about to enter into the Promised land; and they sent 12 scouts out to report back on the land. There were mighty Giants inhabiting the land, so ten of the twelve came back to report that it was not wisdom to proceed. Only Joshua and Caleb had the FAITH to TRUST that Giants are no match for God. So the Israelites (ultimately) took the land…where the Giants had built big houses and dug big wells…and they were able to reap huge blessings that they didn’t sow. The very thing the people feared was a Blessing for them…
So I’ve learned to Trust that as I DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM, God will allow the “giants” in my world to work…until it’s time for me to step out of the “in-between” and receive all that God has prepared for me. 🙂
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16 NKJV)
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise..” (Hebrews 10:35-36NKJV)
The giants, the lack of Faith…and the Promise:
“Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants ( the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:27, 28, 30-33 NKJV)
So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:1-3, 6-9 NKJV)
But the people didn’t Believe and so rebelled in fear; and thus began the forty year trek through the wilderness. And after a time of reteaching so that the people wouldn’t forget their God, Joshua led the Faithful who remained into the Promised Land…”So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” (Joshua 21:43-45 NKJV)
gentlyreminded 