Shake and Wake
This morning my daughter called to let me know that she had finally found a time slot to pick up her groceries at Walmart. She was so excited. Who could have foreseen a day that someone would be this excited about getting to pick up groceries? This is definitely a weird time in our history. It seems as if God is allowing us to travel a somewhat crazy, crooked path right now.
Perhaps God needs to shake us up in order to wake us up.
Did you ever consider the possibility that during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic with its lockdowns and social distancing that God might be wanting to do a unique work in you? In fact, we shouldn't doubt that possibility at all. If you're His child, He is always at work doing something new, trying to grow us into the people that He's called us to be. The Bible makes it very clear that this is an ongoing work and we often don't cooperate with God, therefore we end up growing very slowly. Sometimes we stand still and sometimes we go backward. Heaven forbid that we do that.
If God is trying to get your attention during this time, don't you want to hear what He has to say to you? I know I do. It's actually quite exciting when you think about it. He is our Creator and His love for us goes beyond anything you or I can possibly imagine. He does a deep work in us if we will let Him and if we will listen. Take time today to simply ask Him to do that work and to open your eyes and your ears and your spirit to allow Him in.
He might need to do some house cleaning in you. That's okay. Let it happen. It may be painful. But it's so worth it. What's waiting on the other side of that house cleaning will be amazing to you. I believe He wants each one of us to step into a deeper walk with Him than we’ve ever dreamed of having. Don't miss this time of introspection and growth.
He is at work in a myriad of ways in the midst of all of this craziness. Who would have ever thought that we would be experiencing days like this? I’ve imagined other scenarios but I've never imagined anything quite like this. This is actually a very gentle thing compared to other disasters that could have happened to us as a nation and as God's people.
I believe God is giving us a gentle nudge. A gentle reminder that we are not in control. A gentle reminder that our hope needs to be in Him, not in ourselves and not in our circumstances. We Americans have experienced such comfort and peace for so long that this time is really difficult for most of us. Might God be trying to wake us up? Is He gently shaking us so that we become aware again of our need of Him? Don't let this time go to waste. What might He be desiring to do in you? It may be very different than what He plans to do in someone else.
Ask Him to show you. Maybe you are overly reliant on your comfort, your ease or your health. Look at the thing that seems to be most upsetting to you right now. That might be a very strong indicator of the area of your life that needs to be surrendered to Him. In doing so, don't get trapped in lengthy introspection. Trust God to show you. If He doesn't make it clear, then simply, joyfully surrender to His capable hand to do whatever He desires.
“Teach me your way, O Lord,” is a prayer I pray most mornings. But when I think about it, I realize His way for me is often incomprehensible to me. At least the depths of His way are incomprehensible. That is why I need to come to a place of full surrender, knowing that He knows what needs to be done way more than I know what needs to be done. I don't have to fully understand it. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6) Let Him direct this change in you because after all, He’s the only one that can accomplish it. His word says that “it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)
He is the One that works. Not me. Not you. If we take too much time to analyze ourselves or to try to figure out what it is He wants to do, chances are that we will stall in frustration. That is why it's necessary for us to be still in His Presence and to listen to Him. We may have to simply wait and trust. Or He may make it very very clear.
At this moment, He is making it very clear to me that He wants me to step into a deeper, closer walk with Him. He wants me to spend more time in His Word simply sitting at His feet; listening to Him and being in His Presence. Perhaps that's what He longs to do with you as well. Let's listen to our Lord, trusting that He knows what's best and that His plans are GOOD!
How do we go about attaining this? By being still in His Presence and by being still in His Word. I have to set aside all distractions. For me, this is a difficult thing to do and will take much discipline. But I know, with His help, I can do it. I need to put my phone in another room. I need to open up His Word. I need to get alone in a place where no one can barge in and interrupts my thoughts. I have experienced this before and I can say with all honesty that this works. God does amazing things in His children that are willing to put themselves in this position.
Exactly what He chooses to do in each of you is as unique as you are. He created each one of you uniquely and He longs to do a fresh, powerful work in you that will take you in the direction He desires. He wants to heal you. He wants to refresh you. Most of all, He wants to teach you the depths of His love for you, His beloved child.
Let Him.
Perhaps God needs to shake us up in order to wake us up.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4,5)
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3: 17-19)
