I know, I know, WHERE HAVE I BEEN!?
Believe me, I wish I could fully commit to a post per
day...or per week, heck at least per month. There is no excuse, except that I
just haven’t made the time. {Oops!}
Days off call for great mornings! (I can fully enjoy waking
up which consists of sipping my coffee, cooking a longer meal, and spending
much more time in God’s word.) So this morning was in fact one of those mornings. Before diving into my daily devo. I briefly thought: “Maybe I
should devote some time to my blog as well…” Well the devotional was based on 2
Chronicles 7:14 à (“If my people, who
are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn
from their evil ways, then I will hear their prayer from heaven, forgive their
sins, and heal their country.”) Our sins can be as simple as being
self-absorbed, which is exactly opposite of humility. How can we let God
operate in our lives if WE think we know best for ourselves? Yes, you may know
you, but no one knows you better than God. I’ve been struggling lately with the
issue of purpose and what I am supposed to make of myself in this world. First
and foremost, I have to realize God does have a plan for me, for us, and no
matter what our eyes and minds make of it… IT IS BIG! We just have to let him
show us. That means choosing his ways instead of our own. We never have to
“give up” things in the negative way that phrase is used, but we are actually letting
go in order to gain so much. Easier
said then done, but when we TRUST God, we define this: An Act of FAITH.
There is so much meaning to this word (Faith) I feel that I
could write a novel on it… but God’s already done that, it’s called the Bible -and
it’s written throughout His word.-
In the very beginning -Genesis 22- God tests Abraham. Now it
was hard at first for me to comprehend this. I was like, “God, I know you are
not cruel, but really… you want Abraham to sacrifice his own son!?” *Note*:
Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was not able to conceive for some time. God promised her
a son though, and he kept it. He gave them Issac in their old age.
I did not want to question God’s unconditional love, so I
prayed that he would show me in his perspective. He did and a couple mornings
later, it clicked! I feel like v.5 shows us 1st words of faith.
Abraham tells his servants to stay while he and Issac go (“…WE will worship and then WE will come back to you.”) Did you
catch that?? Abraham implies WE = both Abraham and Issac. It’s as if he knows
that he will not have to sacrifice his son. And so they go… Issac is confused
“the fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
(v.7)
2nd words of faith: Abraham tells Issac (v.8)
“God himself WILL PROVIDE the lamb
for the burnt offering.”
Abraham has no hesitation and is still very much trusting
God…I mean he is at the altar arranging wood, and laying his son on it for
crying out loud! WOW.
But God spares the gruesome details that could have come out of that because
yeap, that’s right…He stops Abraham. Abraham looks up and there, the Lord provided, a ram caught by its horns for
him to sacrifice as a burnt offering instead of his own son. (~v.10-13)
How Awesome, Right!?
There has been much more meaning added to this word Faith. ..A much more personal connection
to the word… After all, experiences are what shape us and help us learn and
grow. I almost feel ashamed to admit it because when everything is all cherry
and well, where is our faith? Faith doesn’t have to come into play in the
lowest of lows. We, at least I, forget to thank him for all the good he has
done, is doing, and will do. But it wasn’t until my brother’s accident in Aug.
2012, I really had to put all my trust in God.
Coming close to losing your own brother is something you
will never forget…
I can remember sitting in Moes with my boyfriend Blake… we
were arguing about something stupid. (!gasp! …arguing.. yes.. lol, not BAD but
it was stupid nonetheless. and a complete waste of our time to fill with
pettiness instead of LOVE.. but that’s besides the point) …
Then we got a phone call and you just know when something is
not good just by the sound of their voice.
TO BE CONTINUED...
