debily

Archive for the ‘The Bible tells me so’ Category

Today I finished up my study on the life of Paul.  What an amazing story.  For the first time, I really saw Paul for the human being he was.  I actually felt sad to come to the conclusion of his life’s story.

I confess, I had fallen several days behind. But knowing that I had copy duty at Trey’s middle school today I took my study with me.  God blessed me with lots of time as I waited for 520 copies of 14 originals, copied front-to-back, collated, stapled… plus several “3 sets of 150 of 3 originals, copied front-to-back, collated, stapled” and a few “100 copies of 12 originals stacked, no staples”.   I got completely caught up and then some.  In fact, I became so immersed in my study that I was surprised to discover teardrops falling onto my page as I read about Paul’s final days.  As Paul pleaded with Timothy for companionship and comfort in that miserable final imprisonment, I found my heart hurting for him…feeling his loneliness, bearing the emotional pain of being abandoned by those who had once been so close to him, cringing at the humiliation he endured, and longing with him for comfort and encouragement.

And it was in that dark cell, when all of what was familiar and comfortable had been stripped – literally – away, that Paul was able to say with absolute confidence:  “I am convinced He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”  The only thing he had to cling to was his faith.  The only foundation he had to stand upon was his God.  The only sure thing he could count on was his salvation.  The only comfort he could wrap around his cold, dirty, beaten body was the presence of God Himself.  A God he knew.  A God who was as real to him in that prison cell as you and I are today.  A God who was faithful to bring his servant safely home.

My study guide closed with the following.  It was a message I desperately needed to hear and one that I hope will encourage you, wherever you are in your faith journey:

He is able to guard every single thing you have entrusted to Him.  Never will you choose to believe or trust, then be forsaken. (emphasis mine)  He is keeping every record, every scroll, every trust.  You may walk in faith and never see with your human eyes how trustworthy He really is until that day you come face-to-face.  But you can know the One in whom you believe and be convinced He is able.  You have not been foolish to trust an invisible God.  One day you’ll see.  (Beth Moore:  To Live is Christ)

And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie.  Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the Lord.’”          Jeremiah 28:15-16

Jeremiah, I’m learning, is not a particularly uplifting or encouraging book!  There are a lot of hard things to read – both about the Israelites’ continued disobedience and rebellion as well as God’s holy wrath against them.

But when I read these verses this morning, God spoke to me.  In ch. 27, Jeremiah has just been speaking out to the Israelites and the other kings in the region about how God will place the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar over them and bless them if they will submit to him as king.  He even tells them not to listen to prophets who prophesy peace because they are false prophets.   Then this guy Hananiah shows up and tells the people – including Jeremiah – in the house of God no less, that God has said he will break the yoke of bondage over them within two years.  For added emphasis, Hananiah takes the yoke around Jeremiah’s neck and literally breaks it in half.  BAM!!  What a powerful demonstration!  What awesome words of hope!  Two more years and God will free us!!  You can almost hear the crowd encouraging one another: Hang in there, it’s almost over!!  God is going to deliver us!

Jeremiah says “Amen!” but then leaves the people with some food for thought.  He looks at Hananiah and says, “Boy, I really hope what you say comes true.  I sure hope God sees our bondage and sets us free from this captivity.”  (please excuse my paraphrase)  But then, in front of God, the people, and everybody, he continues, “But I tell you this, Hananiah, if you’re going to stand here and prophesy peace and freedom, you’re really going out on a limb.  As much as I’d like to believe you, only time will tell if God has really sent you.”  And he goes on his way.

I’m sure the people were stunned with Jeremiah’s words.  What a downer!  Here they’ve gotten the best news in a long time – words of peace and hope and reconciliation and an end to their troubles – and Jeremiah has to be the party pooper.

Of course, Hananiah’s words don’t come true.  Two years pass and the people are still in bondage.  The yokes of Nebuchadnezzar are still firmly in place around their necks.  They don’t get to return to their homeland or enjoy the blessing of peace.  In a final showdown, Jeremiah once again faces Hananiah and utters God’s condemnation against him for deceiving the people.  And sure enough, in that same year, in the seventh month, Hananiah dies.

I’m reminded: God doesn’t tolerate lies.  He doesn’t approve of those who choose to change His words to fit their needs, wants, or desires.  He’s not pleased with those who compromise the truth…especially when spoken by a leader.  I’m not just talking about pastors or teachers, here.  I’m speaking to parents, to mentors, to friends.  To anyone who holds a position of influence in another’s life.  God measures our words by the power they have over another’s actions.  And if we are using our influence to deceive, we’d better be ready to face God’s righteous and holy anger in response.  God defended the Israelites, though perhaps not in the way they expected.  He removed the liar from their midst so they wouldn’t have to ride on his emotional roller-coaster again.  He delivered them from believing the lie that may have caused them to forever doubt the truth…from having their faith shattered by an apparent lack of faithfulness on God’s part.

May I take this passage seriously.  Better yet, may I take my words seriously.  May I take my influence seriously.  May I be mindful of those who are listening – both to my words and my actions – to be sure I am speaking God’s truth, even when that truth is hard.

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

I love the words here: “The Lord stood by him.”  God “stood by” Paul both literally and figuratively.  Paul was in the midst of being imprisoned, beaten, and shuffled from one court of law to another while the Jews tried to figure out what to do with him.  I imagine that many of his Pharisee “friends” had abandoned him, either for fear of finding themselves in the same position, or feeling like they were powerless against the higher-ups.  I imagine that many of his church friends were distanced from him, whether by geography or lack of communication, or physically held back by the guards.  His missionary friends were themselves either killed or off doing God’s work in the places He had called them to.  So Paul was truly alone.

And his troubles had only begun.  God tells him, “Hey, you’re going to be facing some tough stuff coming up…you’re going to need to be strong because I’m taking you to the next level on your faith journey.”  Paul knows what this means.  Ramped-up beatings.  Increasing threats.  Longer and more difficult imprisonments.  Trial after trial after trial before one important leader after another.  Stress.  Physical hardship.  Testing.

But “the Lord stood by him.”  As He uttered those words to Paul, He was standing “by him.”  As He was breaking the bad news, He was standing “by him.”  As Paul’s heart no doubt sank and he may have physically shuddered at the thought of what was coming to him, the Lord was standing “by him.”  And when Paul had no one else by his side, the Lord was standing “by him.”

Paul is no different from you or me.  Our tasks may be different – you and I may not be called to stand before the tribune or the Roman elite, we may not be flogged or have our lives threatened for our faith – but they’re no less difficult, daunting, and stressful.  But we can rest assured that as “the Lord stood by” Paul, He will do the same for us.

Deut. 6:4 ”Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

She asked us why God would have had the Israelites write these words on the doorposts.  That same day a question was posed on the Christ Fellowship page about the correlations between Passover and N.T. communion.  My mind got to thinking…and suddenly BANG!!  POP!!!  CRACK!!  Lightning had struck.  An apostrophe! epiphany!  A thunderous roll echoed between my ears as the smoke cleared…and this is what God revealed.

Okay.  So, apparently God has a “thing” about doorposts.  First He has the Hebrews prepare for their inaugural Passover by painting the doorposts of their houses with a lamb’s blood.  And then, when they are out of Egypt and ready to enter the Promised Land He has them write these words of the law on the doorposts of their homes.  What is it with the doorposts??

The doorposts represent the way.  The way in and the way out.  They represent the way in to our “homes” – our inner sanctum, our most private place, our heart – as well as our way out into the world, our places of business, our community.  Our days are filled with going through doorposts – whether it be from one room to another, or from one location to another.   Writing the Shema on the doorposts provides a constant reminder of how I am to conduct myself, whether at home with my family, or out in the world conducting business.  As I pass through the door, I am reminded to make sure that my actions INSIDE my home match my actions OUTSIDE my home…that I am displaying in front of my children and husband the same integrity of character and love for God that I show to the world…or vice versa.  It’s also a reminder to those coming into my home of just exactly Who is in charge.  Who I serve.  And Who they should be expecting to see.

And it’s because of what the Passover doorposts signify that makes the Shema so important.  You see, when the Hebrews painted the lamb’s blood on the doorpost, God told them specifically to paint the top and the sides.  Unlike paint, blood is a very thin liquid, so when you paint the top, some is going to drip onto the ground.  And when you connect the blood-splattered dots – from top to bottom, from side to side – what shape emerges??  Yes.  A cross.  You see, the Israelites were literally painting the sign of the cross with the blood of the lamb to protect them from death, rescue them from slavery, and set them free.  As they walked through their doors that dreadful morning, they walked through the blood of the lamb.  It was that blood that protected their family.  It was that blood that allowed them to walk out of Egypt forever, as free men, free women, and free children.  It was that blood that provided a new life in a beautifully abundant land prepared just for them.  But they had to walk through it.

Years later,  the Lamb of God stretched his bloodied hands out to the side…His bloodied head rested at the top of the cross, while the blood from the nails in his feet dripped onto the ground beneath.  The blood of God’s precious Lamb stretched side to side, top to bottom, just like the doorposts at Passover, because HE is my way.  He delivered me from the angel of death…freed me from my bonds of slavery and sin…and will one day end my sojourning and bring me to a beautifully abundant land prepared just for me…if only I will walk through the blood.

I get goosebumps just thinking about the awesomeness of our God.  I love Him so much.

I have to share with you a funny story that happened to me today while I was out for my run.

I have a  small shuffle player that I listen to while exercising – maybe not as cool as an iPod or iPhone, but it works for me.  The only downside is that I can’t create playlists on it, but I’m not much of a playlist kind of girl.  In fact, I enjoy being surprised by the often-eclectic mix I hear.  I like to think that some days God takes advantage of having a captive audience, when He has something He really wants to say to me. 

Well, today was apparently one of “those” days.  I had planned to go for one of my 10K training runs: 5 minutes of brisk walking to warm up, followed by 3 18-minute run intervals, with 1 minute walking recovery in between.  The course I use when I do these long runs is scenic and beautiful, with large acreage lots and horses and longhorns and two-lane country roads.  It’s also very hilly and challenging and pushes me to go beyond what I think I’m capable of doing.  Today, I was really struggling.  I had run out of gas after the first two run intervals and my hamstrings were unusually sore, so I decided to walk the majority of the last interval.  I used that time to pray and talk to God and seek His encouragement.  This song came on, and even though it’s one that I’ve heard probably hundreds of times, the words just really spoke to me:

For some reason, this song was just speaking to me in a powerful way.  I was crying out to God, “YES!!  That’s what I want!!  I want to shine like the stars!  I want to be YOUR light!”  It was a precious time of worship, even in the midst of a failed training run.  I just sensed God’s nearness and love and even His pleasure as my heart expressed my deepest desire to Him.

The song ended.  My soul was soaring.  My heart was overflowing.  My spirit was burning.   I could hardly wait to hear the next song.

And what should that next song be?  “La Bamba.”

Worship. was. over.

The mountaintop experience was gone.  Just like that.  I had to laugh.  I’m pretty sure God was laughing, too.  He has a sense of humor, ya know.

Isaiah 43:16  And I will lead the blind
in a way that they do not know,
in paths that they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,
and I do not forsake them.

One of the benefits of reading the entire Bible is that I discover verses I never knew existed.  Here all this time I thought Isaiah was just book of boring and confusing prophecy.  Imagine my surprise when I discover there’s poetry and wisdom…and encouragement!  Take this verse for example.  It just jumped off the page and right into my heart.  I love God’s matter of fact tone: This is what I do for you, because I am God.  Currently our church is engaged in a study of Exodus, and I’m struck by how beautifully this dovetails with that study…how Moses sought this exact reassurance from God before he acted.

But this verse speaks to me for another reason.  This weekend, we had two significant instances of God’s leading and guidance, further proof that God’s word is truth.

• On Saturday, Matt attended the annual NARI Home and Garden Show at Market Hall.  He intended to use this as both an educational experience – keeping up-to-date on the latest trends, needs, and materials for potential clients – as well as a marketing opportunity.   I had told him I wanted to pray over him before he went, but in the midst of Saturday morning busy-ness, I forgot.  While I was driving around, at about 11:15, God suddenly prompted me to pray, so I just started praying out loud in the car:   for Matt to make the right contacts, for the vendors to be receptive to him, for God to bring clients out of this experience.  All of a sudden, I just spontaneously started praying for God to ease Matt’s stress over his insurance situation.   It’s a long and complicated situation, but the clock is ticking and our options are severely limited.   When Matt arrived home that afternoon, he began telling me about his day: who he had talked to, how the conversations went, possible leads…and then he just said, “Oh, and here’s a random thing: I even talked to this one person who does insurance for small businesses, and I told them about my situation and they seem to think they’ll be able to help me!”  I asked him if he remembered about what time he talked to that person, and he said, “Probably around 11:15 or so.  Why?”  That’s when I told him how God prompted me to pray.  God “led the blind (me) in a way that they (I) did not know”, and could not possibly have anticipated: to pray for my husband and his insurance needs…at the exact moment he was speaking to someone at a home and garden show about small business insurance…because that is what God does!

• One of the songs that is particularly meaningful to Matt is Chris Tomlin’s “Our God.”  He really relates to the line “Our God is healer, awesome in power” as well as the bridge:  “And if our God is for us, then who can ever stop us, and if our God is with us, then what can stand against?”  For his birthday celebration on Saturday evening, Crisana gave him that Chris Tomlin CD.  I heard them listening to it and singing it together in his study afterward.  Yesterday, we had our first sermon in the Exodus series at church, a dynamic and powerful message about who God is (YHWH, the I Am).   The closing song was none other than “Our God.”   I could tell God was really speaking to Matt all day yesterday.  I could sense the energy and electricity in his spirit.  The message hit him powerfully, and God had his full attention.    After life group, I heard Matt up in the study listening to that song again on his computer.  I didn’t think much of it, just that he was enjoying his birthday present.  Suddenly, he comes down the stairs with a piece of paper in his hand.  He had printed his business logo 4 times diagonally down it, and above each logo he had written:

“If God is for…”(HMS Architecture)

“then who can stop…”(HMS Architecture)

“And if our God is with…”(HMS Architecture)

“Then what could stand against…”(HMS Architecture)

 He held it out to me and said, “This is HMS Architecture’s belief statement.  What do you think?”

What did I think?  AT that moment, what thoughts could I pull out of the swirling mix of emotion?

Wow.

Amazing.

Perfect.

True.

And finally, thank You.  Thank you, God, for speaking so powerfully to my husband.  Thank You for moving in his life and heart in such a dramatic and powerful way.  Thank You for “turning his darkness into light and the rough places into level ground.”  Thank You for being God – YHWH, the Almighty, the Everlasting, the I AM.  Thank you for doing “the things (You) do.”

Thank you for “not forsaking them.”  Or us.

Isaiah 40:3  A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending chapel at Dallas Theological Seminary.  It’s a once a year opportunity for me, a privilege I enjoy because of my father’s legacy.  As hard as this day can be emotionally, I always find myself renewed and refreshed spiritually by the message the speaker brings.

The message yesterday was based on Psalm 119 about God’s law.  I read Psalm 119 for the first time in its entirety this spring (all in one sitting – aloud.  Try that sometime.  Just make sure you have a big glass of water on hand.)  and was struck by the overwhelming love the psalmist had for God’s word.  The speaker yesterday reminded us that at the time the psalm was written the only words of God they had accessible and available to them was Torah, the Law.  He also pointed out that the word “Torah” is the image of God’s finger pointing a straight path, a clear direction, almost as if He’s drawing a line in the sand for us to follow.  That’s why the psalmist loved it so much.  It was the clear direction, the “straight highway” for our lives.

This morning I read this passage in Isaiah and was struck with the parallel wording.  That as we follow God’s law, we are an extension of His finger, pointing the way for others to follow.  We are the “signposts” that show the correct path, the one true Way, to a world lost and wandering aimlessly.

Today, I too am thankful for God’s law.  His words.  His complete revealed truth, shared with us in the marvelous book we call the Bible.  May my life be a clear, blazing beacon of full-on pursuit of Truth, pointing others to the way of hope and life.

One year ago today, on July 14, 2010, my husband was unexpectedly laid off from his job.  When Matt told me the news, I also heard the voice of God whispering in my ear…”How far are you willing to go with Me?” and I admit, I was terrified. Terrified of what that meant: would we lose our house?  our cars?  Would we have to relocate to an entirely different part of the country, and give up the life/friendships/ministries we’ve enjoyed here?  How long was this going to last?? I was on my way with the kids to Hawaiian Falls for a discount Wednesday, and although we had a great day, those tears of fear, apprehension, and uncertainty were always right below the surface, even spilling over a few times when no one was looking.  Thank goodness we were in a pool and I could blame the chlorine for the red and watery eyes.

Less than two weeks later, I was on my way to Uganda for the second time.  That challenge: How far are you willing to go with Me? resonated in my ears throughout the trip.  I experienced such a joy and peace while I was there, watching these children who were satisfied – and JOY-FILLED – with far less.  God showed me through them how to worship, how to pray, how to trust in the face of terribly daunting circumstances.

If God had told me last July 14 this journey would last over a year, I might have been surprised.  I most definitely would have been afraid.  But if God had told me of the blessings we would have received through family and friends – some known and some anonymous – I don’t think I could have wrapped my mind around it.

If God had told me we would still be in our house, paying our bills, putting gas in our cars and food on our table, I wouldn’t have begun to comprehend how.

If God had told me our marriage would be strengthened and become the most healthy, most positive, most meaningful it has ever been, I wouldn’t have thought it possible.

If God had told me how He would speak to our children and use this experience to deepen their spiritual walk and reveal His character to them, I would never have expected it.

If God had told me the ways He would provide for our physical needs, I’m sure I wouldn’t have believed Him.

If God had told me He would lead Matt and I to start our own firm, and that He would provide all the clients, at just the right time, in creative and unexpected ways, I know I would have been too afraid to trust.

Even though He didn’t tell me, He has been faithful to do all this.  He has provided for ALL our needs, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual.  We are so blessed and humbled by the journey He has taken us on.  It hasn’t been easy by any means, but what we’ve learned about His character has made even the darkest times worth it.  I’m thankful today for the promises of His word, especially this one (from The Message translation -emphasis mine – gotta love it!!!!)

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! (Ephesians 2:20-21)

Footnote:

Ironically – but not coincidentally:

It was 2 years ago, around July 14, 2009, that Matt informed his co-workers that he was officially in remission and completely cancer-free.

It was 3 years ago – around July 7, 2008 – that he went in for the annual physical and mentioned the two nodules in his left shoulder that eventually led to the diagnosis of cancer.

And it was 4 years ago – around July 15, 2007 – that I knew God had called me out of my comfort zone into an unknown journey of following Him, wherever that led.

I’m still on that journey as evidenced by the twists and turns of the last 4 years.  But I praise Him for this journey, and for being my Leader throughout it all. That is why I say I’m “Following the Leader.”

Our church is currently in a series entitled “Movement to Multiply our Heart.”  As part of that sermon series, we are corporately undergoing a 2-week period of wrestling with God, complete with a period of fasting and seeking God in earnest.  Matt and I have been in that place of wrestling with God for the past several months.   And we’ve just completed a 21-day fast, complete with a true 24-hour fast and intense prayer.  So, to be perfectly honest, I wasn’t particularly eager or necessarily willing to engage in yet another “wrestling with God” experience.  But since we’re committed to our church, we decided to do the study guide together anyway in hopes of perhaps “encountering God” in a new way and seeing how He would speak to us.

It’s no secret that as a result of our personal fast, God has led Matt to open his own firm.   During the course of our 21 day experience, Matt had one particular divine encounter that helped set the stage and truly solidify that this was, truly, the path we were supposed to take.  Today was the day that Matt was scheduled to meet with a real estate developer to discuss a possible business partnership.

Due to busy schedules we weren’t able to read yesterday’s reading, so we doubled up this morning.  The passage on Jacob wrestling with God really spoke to us because that is where we are. I can’t speak for Matt, but I have been in that place since probably November.  There have been days I’ve felt like I’m literally hanging on by my fingernails, clinging desperately to the soles of His feet, grasping the hem of His robe, barely able to hold on, but absolutely certain that the one thing I cannot do is let go.  Literally.  So real that there are days I am physically exhausted from the effort.

And all the while, I’m crying out the only thing I can:  “I WILL NOT let go…Bless this obedience!  Reward this faithfulness!!  Be the God you are!!”  Sometimes it’s in anger.  Other times it’s pure desperation.  Always in faith.  Always believing God CAN and WILL do this.

And in those moments when I’m quiet and still enough to hear, the reply comes:  “My daughter…my precious child…wait.  Wait for the blessing.  It’s coming.”

So then we moved on to today’s reading, Exodus 3.  A passage that is near and dear to Matt’s heart.  As someone who struggles with a speech impediment, he can relate to Moses.  He knows the fear Moses felt inside at being asked to go in front of the most powerful leader of the world to make an outrageous request.  He understands Moses’ hesitation.  Being married to someone who is comfortable speaking in public and is gifted with words, he identifies with Moses’ request to have Aaron go and speak on his behalf.

And as I prayed over Matt today, it hit me.  God descended with His presence in a mighty way at our breakfast table and I was completely overwhelmed at the thought: Just as I AM – Yahweh, Jehovah God – sent Moses and told him ‘I will be with you…I will tell you what to say…I will speak for you”, I AM is still here today.  I AM is sending Matt.  I AM will be with him and give him the words to say and speak for him.  Just go.  Obey.  Follow My call.  My promise is just as true for you as it was for my friend, Moses. I almost couldn’t even speak.  Yet I knew this was part of the blessing we had been waiting for.

Matt has said it often over the past couple weeks.  We’re taking a step of faith that is overwhelming with its scope, frightening with its possibilities, and crazy with its reality.  But more than that, it’s exciting because we know we are sitting smack-dab in the center of God’s will.  I AM has brought us here.  I AM will see us through.

“Whenever you fast, don’t be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward!  But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face,  so that you don’t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Well, there goes my reward, because I’m putting this out there for the whole world to see.  Okay, so maybe not the whole world, but certainly all five of my blog readers (who have since quit reading my blog seeing as how I haven’t posted in like TWO MONTHS) and maybe a few of my 600-plus Facebook friends…which pretty much consists of my whole world.

In all seriousness, however, I’m not posting this to brag.  To be honest, my motive is actually a little selfish:  I’m tired and I want to sleep.

But I can’t.  I’ve just had this amazing, incredible experience that’s too big to keep to myself.  My insides are all jazzed up, burning with an excitement and a sense of optimism I haven’t experienced in quite awhile.  I have a passion to share our journey in hopes that maybe it will inspire others to dig in, wade deeper, and experience God in a whole new way.

First, a little backstory.  At the beginning of the year, Matt and I felt we were at a crossroads regarding his job search.  It had dragged on for six months, and we were no closer to finding him full-time employment than when we started.  Our church was beginning a 21-day prayer journey, so we got the study guide and committed to completing it.  Sometime during those three weeks, I began to feel convicted of the need to spend a full day – an honest-to-goodness 24-hour period – in prayer and fasting, specifically over God’s leading in Matt’s job situation.  I shared my conviction with him, hoping he would consider joining me, and that we could work out the logistical details while still balancing parental responsibilities, schedules, and obligations.

Not only did he agree, but he enthusiastically jumped on board.  He wasted no time in finding a “21-Day Fast” Bible reading plan on YouVersion.  We set the timetable to start in late February with our fast coming on three weeks later, on a Thursday-Friday, sundown to sundown.

That three weeks ended this past Thursday, March 17.  So much for my special St. Patty’s Day dinner.  And on Spring Break, too.  Talk about a double whammy.  If there was any time we were going to need God’s strength to get through 24 hours without eating, this would be the time.  Or Thanksgiving, but hopefully we won’t get to that point.

Although we had made our best efforts to keep up with the daily readings, we had fallen nearly a week behind.  The readings had been so good, so rich, so full of meat and so applicable to our situation that we decided to use our missed reading as focus points during our time of prayer and fasting.  We took the time to share with our children what we were doing and why, and though both of them offered to join us, we carefully explained that we only wanted them to do this if they felt God was asking them to.  But we knew they would be watching us, regardless, and that this could be an incredible teaching point for them.

Our fast officially began at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday.  We planned to break the fast at 6:30 P.M. on Friday.  We spent time at strategic points Thursday evening going through the scripture readings and spending unhurried, unrushed time in prayer, seeking God’s face, asking for His leading, and desiring His direction and blessing.  While we didn’t intentionally plan on spending time during the night in prayer, God woke both of us and we were individually able to spend part of that time in personal communication with Him.  While our kids ate breakfast and lunch, we retreated to a private room in the house and used that time to pray together.  We took a mid-afternoon break on Friday to complete another reading and spend time in focused prayer.

In the in-between times, we kept ourselves busy.  We had both committed to fasting not only from food, but also from Facebook, so we filled our time with other things.  Matt worked on the residential project he’s been hired to do.  I attempted a run in the morning, but the weather at 10:30 was already quite hot with full sun and I felt the effects of no protein snack before bedtime and no solid breakfast.  We played games with the kids and took them for their spring haircuts.

Knowing that the last couple hours would be the hardest, we planned a fun family outing to complete our 24 hours.  We loaded up the bikes in my car, got the kids dressed in bathing suits, and drove up to the nearby Villages of Fairview.  For the last 2 hours, we had a great time exploring the area on our bikes, riding around the entire complex, checking out all the trails and enjoying being outside together.  We ended our ride near the fountains, where the kids cooled off in the water and Matt and I completed our final reading and time of prayer.  Sitting on a park bench with the late afternoon sun behind us, shaded by a palm tree and with gentle spring breezes blowing in our faces, we placed ourselves and our future in God’s hands.  We broke our fast with a celebratory family dinner at The Purple Cow and were treated to the light show as we finished our meal.

We didn’t receive the lightning bolt we were hoping for, and quite honestly were expecting.  Our path isn’t quite as clearly lit as we wanted it to be.  We had anticipated that we’d have more of a definitive answer, more of a sense of “this is what you need to do now” after this experience.  But God doesn’t always work in the lightning bolts.  Sometimes, as our final reading pointed out, it’s in the current of a river.  Sure, it’s easy to feel secure when the water is ankle-deep or even knee-deep.  But you start wading in where it’s waist-deep, or even deeper still…and, well, then things get interesting.  Then you begin to lose a sense of control.  Then you may well give in to fear and panic.  Then is when you need faith.

So that was our answer.  Be ready to wade out into the deep water.  Dig further in.  Go deeper still.  Don’t be afraid of the current.  Be willing to let go.  We’ve got a River Guide, and He will see us safely across to the other side.