Category: Listening

Let it Unfold

It’s been almost a year since God answered an angsty prayer by speaking to me in a dream. I’d found myself in a familiar situation—coordinating logistics for my family’s schedule and feeling frustrated that everyone wasn’t in sync. A tense conversation with one of my kids hadn’t ended well and I’d gone to bed discouraged. After tossing and turning for several hours, I fell into a fitful sleep while my brain continued to process a solution to our stalemate. 

My son’s lack of willingness to adjust to my plan was going to cost time and money as well as causing great inconvenience. Before falling asleep, I’d been weighing the different approaches I could use to get him to see the situation from my perspective. Exhausted, I eventually drifted off to sleep when, just before waking, calming words in a dream filled me with peace. I don’t think I heard the Lord audibly, but His message was clear: “Let it unfold.”

Pulling back the covers in the dawn light, I chose to trust God’s gentle voice as I anticipated the day ahead. Instead of trying to convince my son to get on board with my logistically “superior” plan, I held off and opted to let events unfold without intervening. A few months later, when the plans came to fruition, I understood what the Lord had been doing. The plan that, in my mind, had seemed illogical and inconvenient actually turned out to be God’s provision—a needed respite in an unexpected season of intensity in our family.

I view time as a precious commodity and see efficiency as the key to prevent wasting it. There’s nothing I love more than a well-crafted plan that works out exactly as I expect. But in the past year, the Lord has reminded me again and again of that phrase He gave me last summer: “Let it unfold.” When I’m tempted to speak up and step in to fix, suggest, or point out a better way to do something, I’m learning to pause and pray first. In my attempts to help others or improve situations, my proactivity can short-circuit the learning process for someone else. Worse still, it can squelch the Holy Spirit from moving or speaking.

We live in a fast-paced world and most of us don’t believe we have time to slow down and let things unfold, but that’s not the way of Jesus. When I’m tempted to rush or to force my plan on someone else, I’m reminded that Jesus was never in a hurry. He never rushed. Likewise, God never forces Himself or His plans on us. He waits patiently and delights when we choose to follow His ways instead of ours. I love how Jesus says this in The Message (a contemporary language paraphrase of the Bible): 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Learning to “let it unfold” has been an exercise in restraint for the past year. But as I’ve held back and waited longer than I would have preferred, I’ve watched the Lord move and have witnessed His “unforced rhythms of grace” more times than I can count. Sometimes it’s with one of my adult kids, other times, it’s been with extended family, or people I serve with or lead in ministry. Letting things unfold has helped me avoid unneeded tension with others that often comes with unsolicited advice, unwelcome opinions, and forced decisions. The Lord has shed light on pride that leads me to see my way of doing things as “best.” He’s humbled me and helped me to recognize the beauty of letting others learn through experience instead of being subjected to my “helpful” suggestions. I’m still growing in patience but am seeing the positive results of trusting His timing instead of acting on my impulses. 

What about you? Are you ever tempted to intervene and fast track the learning process for someone else? Do you sometimes want to help others see the value of your perspectives or opinions whether they’re ready to listen or not? Are you quick to offer a suggestion or observation before inviting the Holy Spirit to intercede? Letting things unfold doesn’t mean doing nothing, but it does mean pausing to pray. Sometimes the Lord may prompt you to speak up or step in; at other times He’ll guide you to hold off and wait. Seeking His guidance enables you to be confident that you’re relying on God’s wisdom instead of your knee-jerk response.

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Saul’s Transformation

With his dying breath, Stephen prayed for his executioners. And as he was being stoned to death “witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58b, NIV) Just a few chapters later, Saul resurfaces. Now he’s traveling to Damascus in pursuit of disciples of Jesus who have fled Jerusalem. He’s bent on squelching the spread of the gospel that he believes is tainting the purity of Judaism. 

On the road, Saul encounters a blinding light and a voice from heaven saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Cowering on his knees and shielding his eyes, he stammers, “Who are you, Lord?” and receives a stunning reply: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:4-6, NIV)

Saul finds himself humbled and helpless–led by the hand, rather than storming into Damascus with power and authority.  Then, “For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” (Acts 9:9, NIV). Being a devout Jewish man, Saul would’ve been familiar with the practice of fasting. The Hebrew scriptures he’d studied all his life contained numerous examples of men and women of faith who had fasted and prayed to mourn, repent, worship, seek direction, exhibit humility, or understand visions they’d received from the Lord.

This encounter with the risen Christ was the catalyst for a complete re-set of his life. Perhaps those three days of blindness and fasting began softening his heart. Shrouded in darkness, maybe he recalled the Lord’s words in Ezekiel with a fresh and personal understanding: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NIV) In the quiet, maybe he also thought of Stephen’s speech and began to recognize how all the ancient prophecies in the scriptures had been fulfilled by Jesus.

Perhaps Saul also needed time to reconcile what he’d done—to grieve the lives he’d destroyed, to repent and seek forgiveness from the Lord. Maybe that’s why he later wrote: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Tim 1:15b, NIV)

Ultimately, those three days prepared him for what the Lord had in store next: “Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” (Acts 9:17-19, NIV)

No doubt Saul had participated in many ritual cleansings in the past, as all devout Jews did. However, this baptism represented the death of his old life as a legalistic pharisee and the birth of his new life as a follower of Jesus. In the span of three days his murderous zeal for destroying the church transformed into a passionate ardor for building it: “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?’ Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Excerpts from Acts 9:20-22, NIV.) 

Typically we see the change in Saul as immediate because we skip over those three days of hunger and darkness as he waited on the Lord. Let’s stop and consider what we can learn from Saul’s example:

1. After encountering Jesus, Saul waits. He goes to the city and stands by for further instructions. I wonder how often we miss the ways the Lord wants to work in us because we’re perpetually in motion. The noise and busyness of our culture leave no time for reflection and contemplation. We’re constantly receiving input and ignoring the importance of margin. The Lord moves and speaks in times of stillness and silence. Can we truly be His witnesses if we’re never stopping long enough to be still in His presence and listen? 

2. After encountering Jesus, Saul fasts. Likely a familiar practice from his past experience, fasting was a key element in the transforming work the Lord was doing in his life. Although many people now equate fasting with weight loss, its true purpose is to create a focused time of prayer for a specific reason. Hunger pangs are a powerful reminder of our need for food. But rather than urging us to eat, they can prompt us to pray. If you want to learn more about this powerful practice, you may be interested in the attached articles: 

3. After encountering Jesus, Saul’s physical and spiritual eyes are opened. In our western culture we value what we can see; it’s challenging to view life through a spiritual lens. We are constantly busy and over-stimulated or we’re too exhausted to engage in anything that requires focus and deep thought. We anesthetize ourselves with mindless entertainment, but claim we are too busy to slow down, read our Bibles, pray, and spend time enjoying the presence of the Lord. We give our attention to shiny objects rather than fixing our gaze on what has eternal value.

If you’d like to improve your spiritual vision, add Paul’s prayer from Ephesians to your daily rhythm: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19a, NIV)

If you’re ready to learn more about the value of slowing down and learning spiritual practices that help you to see and hear the Lord more consistently, consider reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer.

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Saying Yes

She was around twelve years old; not yet married but already betrothed, as was the custom for Jewish people in her time period. In a stunning set of events, an angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28, NIV) He explained that Mary would be the mother to the Messiah that had been promised since the time of Abraham, thousands of years earlier. Not surprisingly, she was troubled by the announcement. Despite being a virgin, under Jewish law, she could have been stoned to death as an adulteress for being pregnant out of wedlock. Even if she wasn’t accused of adultery, it would likely end her betrothal to Joseph. She would be doomed to a life of shame, ostracized from her family and her community. However, Mary responded simply, “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38, NIV) She didn’t know how her story would unfold, but she trusted the One who was writing it.

Mary said “yes” to the adventure the Lord had planned for her. Kristi McClelland encourages us to be inspired by her example: “Think of all the times you were minding your own business and something came out of nowhere and grabbed your heart—something that changed the direction of your life.”1 She urges us to consider what opportunities God has for us to go on a “kingdom adventure.”

Maybe you’re feeling a bit confused or unsure about how to discern when to say “yes.” Or, maybe you’re a little scared about how God will mess with your life if you do.  Each “yes” has led me significant spiritual growth and has expanded my comfort zone. That said, every opportunity may not be our best “yes.” Over the years, I’ve used a series of questions to help me discern the right answer. Try using the questions and verses that follow next time you sense a new kingdom adventure may be afoot.2

1.  Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2, NIV

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8, NIV

2.  Is what I’m hearing consistent with God’s character?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23, NET Bible

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31, NIV

3.  Is what I’m hearing being confirmed through other messages? Do people with godly wisdom affirm this decision to say “yes”?

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21, NIV

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22, NIV

4.  Is what I’m hearing beyond me? Is this something that will require me to rely on God’s strength, wisdom, and guidance rather than just my own skills or gifts?

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” First Thessalonians 5:24, NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26, NIV

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26, NIV

5. Would what I’m hearing please God?

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10, NIV

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” First Corinthians 10:31, NIV

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21, NIV

Once you’ve sorted out the biblical reasons for saying “yes,” it’s time to ask yourself about practical aspects of your current life situation:

  • Can I handle this request along with my current responsibilities?
  • How would this commitment affect my marriage, family, and/ or other important relationships?
  • How will this “yes” mean saying “no” to other things?
  • Do I have the time and mental space to add this onto my plate right now? 
  • Do I have emotional space for this commitment in my life right now?
  • Is there something God is calling me to eliminate to make room for this?
  • What’s holding me back from saying “yes”? 
  • What positive things could happen if I say “yes”?

As you’re praying about the decision, consider inviting someone you trust and respect to be praying with you. This will enable you to answer with confidence and peace. Above all else, remember that anything God calls you to do is for your good and His glory; He will equip you with exactly what you need. May you discover incredible joy as the Lord leads you to opportunities He’s prepared just for you!

Let “Same God” by Elevation Worship remind you that the God of Mary is there to guide you and equip you, just as He did for her. Click here to listen.

Know someone grappling with a big decision right now? Consider forwarding this post to encourage them.

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1. Kristi McClelland, Jesus and Women: In the First Century and Now, Lifeway Press, 2019, 129.

2. Five questions adapted from What Happens When Women Say ‘Yes’ to God by Lysa TerKeurst, Harvest House Publishers, 2011.

Carrying the Wilderness with You

Hiking was one of the main activities my family enjoyed when I was growing up. Sometimes my dad liked forging his own trails and taking us “overland.” He led the way with confidence, but the paths he chose rarely ended where we expected. I remember one afternoon when we trampled through knee-high, brittle grass trying to find our way back to the car. The sun dipped behind the hills as we trudged along, shivering in the waning light. As we reached the gravel parking lot complaining of aching feet and rumbling bellies, the first stars twinkled in the night sky. That’s probably the closest I’ve come to wandering in the wilderness in a literal sense.

Bible teacher Kristi McClelland explains: “We often think of a desert or wilderness as something we want to get out of. But the Jewish people view the desert as the place where the Lord often meets His people and speaks to them.”1 The Israelites experience this after leaving Egypt under Moses’ leadership. In the desert God shows them His character and demonstrates His care for them. The events they witness reveal the Lord’s power, presence, protection, and provision. A glance at the first four chapters of Exodus provides ample evidence:

-The Lord fights for them: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

-The Lord surrounds and protects them: “Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them.” (Exodus 14:19)

-The Lord makes a way for them: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” (Exodus 14:21-22)

-The Lord provides food for them: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” (Exodus 16:11-12)

-The Lord provides water for them: “I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” (Exodus 17:6)

-The Lord protects them from enemies: “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, ‘Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.’” (Exodus 17:15-16)

The Israelites’ time in the wilderness gives them tangible, personal, and specific evidence of the Lord’s hand at work in their lives. No wonder Kristi McClelland says the Middle Eastern perspective asks: “How do I carry the wilderness with me?” and “How do I remember the word the Lord taught me in the wilderness?”2

Although I’ve had limited experience wandering in the actual wilderness, there have been many times when I’ve metaphorically found myself in the desert—times when I’ve felt lost, discouraged, and unsure how to proceed. Although they were difficult seasons, I look back on them with gratefulness because of how I encountered the Lord. That’s why Kristi McClelland’s words resonate with me: “In the desert—the wilderness—God meets you and teaches you unique lessons that these dry and barren places frame in a way no other place would. In the Middle Eastern culture, the wilderness is seen almost as a sacred place, a place of intimacy where God speaks a ‘word’ to you.”3  

In the desert of my freshman year of college, the Lord met me in my loneliness and taught me to pour out my heart to Him and He became my closest confidante. During the wilderness of discouragement and depression in young motherhood, God beckoned me to seek Him for comfort and He became my shelter in storms. More recently, I wandered in the desert after an intense season in my life came to a close. Leading up to it, I’d been stretched to the limit for over two years managing care for my mom as her health declined. When she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, four months of daily visits and constant monitoring of her medical needs consumed me. After my mom passed away, my sister and I spent six months sorting the contents of our family home and preparing to put it on the market. 

Although I’d been grieving all along, the magnitude of what I’d experienced fully caught up with me only after my mom’s house sold. Instead of being relieved, I felt untethered, adrift and unsure how to move forward. As I turned to the Lord for wisdom, He coaxed me to rest and grieve. He helped me to see that my constant productivity had shielded me from fully experiencing my grief. He impressed upon me the wisdom of Psalm 46:10: “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (NASB 1995) My time in the wilderness provided much-needed margin to process, pray, and find comfort in the Lord’s presence. Eventually it also allowed me space to hear from Him and discern what He was calling me to next.

Desert seasons feel disorienting and uncomfortable; we’re not sure which path to take or what our destination will be. We may not enjoy them, but they are incredible opportunities to grow in trusting the Lord. So, instead of asking “Why?” or “How long?” we’d be wise to invite God to teach us and reveal Himself to us. Seeking the Lord in the wilderness instead of rushing through it enables us to grow deeper in faith and equips us with tools we can use and share with others. I’ve seen the God’s power and felt His strength during wilderness seasons in ways I never would have experienced in times of ease and comfort. 

“The Lord drew Israel into the desert and spoke to her there. The place that seemed to only represent barrenness became one of restoration and redemption, of covenant pledge, of love everlasting…The Lord often speaks to His people in a special way in wilderness seasons.”4  Will you let Him do the same for you? 

Click here and be encouraged by Jeremy Camp’s song “Wilderness”

Do you know someone in a wilderness season who would be encouraged by this post? Consider forwarding it to them today.

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  • 1. Kristi McClelland, Jesus & Women: In the First Century and Now, Lifeway Press, 2019, 22.
  • 2. ibid, p. 23
  • 3. ibid, p. 22
  • 4. ibid, p. 26

Small Beginnings

Tearing out the sheet of binder paper, I wrote a bullet-pointed list of discussion questions based on a Bible passage I’d been studying. Each week I’d take my hand-written questions and photocopy them in my sorority’s study lounge, known as “The Pit” because of its location in the basement of our house. Climbing the steps to the expansive living room, I’d sit on the floor near the fireplace glancing regularly at my watch, waiting to see if anyone would come.

Inviting girls in my house to join a Bible study had been a stunning leap of faith for me as a sophomore in college. Before God had emboldened me, I’d always been someone that craved approval and validation from others. I liked fitting in, not creating a stir. This venture launched me way past the limits of my comfort zone. Not everyone cheered on my efforts. As you might imagine, Bible study veered beyond the typical activities for girls at my secular university. Some weeks ten of my sorority sisters would show up, others no one would come. 

I didn’t know that God was preparing me for many other opportunities to write, lead, teach, mentor, and serve. Looking back, I see how the Lord used that time to equip and prepare me to walk alongside others growing in faith. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of pouring into a variety of women at different seasons in my life. Usually it’s only a few, but over time this has added up to a lot of lives.

That’s what I thought of when I read this passage: “Do not despise these small beginnings for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” (Zechariah 4:10a, NLT)

So often when God prompts us to act, we expect big, splashy results immediately. When we don’t get them, we become discouraged and want to quit. Or, we get distracted and lose our focus, as the Jews re-building the temple did in the book of Haggai.

Jennifer Rothschild encourages us saying, “You may feel small, insignificant, thinking who you are or where you are is unimportant compared to the seemingly big significance of others’ lives and situations. But no one and nothing is really small and insignificant. The big impact of small things can be overlooked if we aren’t careful… God does know your name. He doesn’t overlook you just because somebody has a bigger problem, a bigger project, or a bigger personality. No matter how big the world is and no matter how small you may feel, God has called you to take courage and finish the work He has called you to…Let His voice be louder than the outside voice of opposition and that nagging inner voice that tries to convince you that you are too small for your call.”1 

Recently, I returned from IF:Gathering—a conference attended by thousands of women in person and online all over the world. Sitting in the audience with 4000 other women, I watched as one gifted speaker after another took the stage. Their teaching energized me and spurred on my faith. But, if I’m honest, there were moments that I also felt a little angsty and cynical. I’m not proud to admit that I slipped into comparison mode a few times. As soon as I did this, joy drained out of me. Listening to accomplished speakers with multiple published books and thousands of followers made my own efforts to impact others for Jesus seem small by comparison.  For a few moments I bounced between envy and self-doubt, until the Holy Spirit reminded me of truth. 

I couldn’t stay in a negative mindset for long when I remembered the good things God has done in and through me. The fact that friends had accepted my invitation to spend time and money flying 1500 miles to attend IF:Gathering was cause for celebration. My “small beginning” with my traveling companions started almost 9 years ago when I invited them to join a Bible study to explore the Christian faith. Seeing how much they’ve grown is a testament to the way God uses small beginnings to bring big results. But this takes time; typically we don’t get the instant gratification we crave when it comes to matters of faith.

I wonder if you can relate to my feelings. Are you ever tempted to dismiss or discount a work of the Lord in your life? Do you ever feel like the part you play isn’t big or important enough? Some small beginnings lead to big things that are large in size—like Jennie Allen’s vision to start IF:Gathering. But other small beginnings lead to things that are big in value—like journeying alongside a few people consistently and helping them to grow spiritually over time. Taking the step of faith to respond to God’s prompting matters more than the size of what He’s calling you to do.

Is there something you’ve begun that’s stalling right now? Do you need to re-engage with that small group Bible study you’ve stopped attending? Or, is it time to reach out again to that neighbor you’ve been meaning to invite for coffee? Do you sense God stirring in you to mentor someone? Or is it time to ask a more mature believer to mentor you? What about starting that Bible study with your neighbors that you’ve been talking about for years? Or is it time to say “yes” to that invitation into leadership that seems like a big stretch for you?

Let this song we sang at IF:Gathering inspire you. Click here to listen to “God of Revival” by Phil Wickham.

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  1. Jennifer Rothschild, Take Courage: A Study of Haggai, Lifeway Press 2020, 60-61.

Sharing Hope

Feeling the vibration of my phone in my purse, I pulled it out and checked my texts. A long-time friend was reaching out to ask for prayer as her father neared the end of his life. Feeling weary and discouraged from months of dealing with doctors, caregivers, and grim diagnoses, she’d dashed off a text to a small group of us who had been supporting her. Empathizing with her grief, I replied with words of encouragement and a few verses that had sustained me in similar situations. Other friends chimed in with additional support, prayers, and Bible verses. Later, she replied to tell us how grateful she was to be reminded of the hope found in Jesus. 

In the past few years I’ve had many opportunities like this one. It’s a privilege to help someone reframe hard circumstances by looking at them from an eternal perspective. Experiences like this affirm Priscilla Shirer’s words in her Elijah Bible study: “What God says pinpoints the hinge that separates hope from hopelessness, possibility from impossibility…Elijah’s time in Cherith is what enabled his faith reflex to be so easily ignited during his interaction with the widow. He seemed almost to jump at the chance to introduce God’s provision and promise to her. He didn’t minimize her lack or pretend it wasn’t real…[but] he emphasized the word of the Lord that applied to her specific circumstance.”1

Elijah had experienced God’s miraculous provision first-hand during the eighteen months ravens fed him while living by the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:2-6). So, when he left Cherith and encountered a starving widow in Zarephath preparing to make her final meal “Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid….For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:13a, 14-16, NIV)

Elijah’s experience in Cherith enabled him to offer life-giving hope to the widow in Zarephath. But this story isn’t meant to stay tucked in the pages of Scripture. Priscilla Shirer challenges us, “Listen to me: Zarephath strategically brings you face to face with someone else’s impossibility—the terminal diagnosis, the unreachable child, the failing marriage, the crippling depression. Hear them and sincerely empathize when they tell you what they see, but don’t leave the conversation without inserting what their omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, promise-keeping God says.”2

Of course, being able to give hope to someone else implies you’re pursuing God on your own—investing time in His Word, claiming His promises, and trusting that He’s going to come through for you. Our ability to encourage others and point them toward hope depends largely on how well we know God for ourselves. A firm foundation of faith is laid one day at a time. Intimacy with the Lord builds trust and provides hope when the world tells us all is lost. Priscilla Shirer describes the benefit of doing this: “As God matures and refines us, life’s crises won’t be capable of flipping the switch inside us that rams us into fear and anxiety mode. Instead, they will trigger and innate reaction within us to call out, to cry out, to the Lord. To trust Him. To rely on His sovereignty.”3

As we learn to lean into the Lord and let Him speak to us in trials and difficulties, He’ll use those experiences to give us “Zarephath moments” to encourage others. In the New Testament, Paul affirms this saying “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

It’s a privilege to come along side others in their pain and struggles; it’s a joy to point them toward hope found only through Jesus. To do this effectively, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

1) Don’t rush your own healing process in your zeal to help others. If you’re enduring a trial or hardship, be tender and patient with yourself. Recognize your own limitations. Helping others while you’re still in the midst of your own hard situation can short-circuit your healing and be detrimental to them. You need the benefit of perspective before you’re ready to offer support. Elijah couldn’t attest to the Lord’s provision until he’d completed his tenure by the brook Cherith. 

2) Remember that others’ struggles aren’t exactly like yours. While there may be parallels between the difficulty you’ve had and the one someone else is facing, there are also differences. There’s usually not a one-size-fits-all approach to trials and challenges each of us face. And no one needs to hear how much worse your situation was in comparison with the one they’re enduring. Be honest about what you’ve experienced, but be sensitive and listen well.

3) If you’re going to share a Bible verse, take time to explain why it impacted you. Don’t make Scripture trite by throwing random verses at a hard situation and hoping they’ll stick. It’s meaningful to share promises from the Bible, books, songs, and articles that God used to encourage you, so be sure to tell your struggling friend how you benefited from them.

As you expand in your knowledge of Scripture and experience personal encouragement from it, the Lord will give you opportunities to share His truth with others who need hope too. Why not take a moment to pray about it right now? Try something like this: Lord, help me commit to studying your Word and applying it to my circumstances. Show me where I need personal healing before I can help others. Prompt me with the right words when you’re calling me to be a spokesperson for Your promises, as Elijah was for the widow in Zarephath. Help me to be sensitive and listen well. Please continue to encourage me in my struggles and lead me to opportunities to share hope with others who need it too. 

Let Mike Doheny’s song “All Together” inspire you to be authentic in your personal hardships and empathetic with others. Click here to listen.

  1. Priscilla Shirer, Elijah, Lifeway Press, 2020, 104.
  2. Ibid, 104
  3. Ibid, 109 

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In Between Times

I’ve always loved flowers that grow from bulbs: daffodils and tulips are my favorites. Plunging the small brown bulbs into the earth in the fall is like tucking away a gift that will delight me when shoots push through the soil the following spring. 

Once I’ve planted bulbs, there’s a process taking place underground that is hidden and quiet, but crucial for the flowers to bloom. Bulbs use the dark, cold months of winter to sprout roots at the base to anchor the plant in the soil. Then they lie ‘dormant,’ awaiting the right amount of sunlight and moisture to bring those tiny green shoots through the dirt. The ugly brown bulbs will eventually bloom into beautiful flowers in vivid colors.1 

The process of planting bulbs and waiting for them to bloom gives a perfect picture of those “in between times” when one season ends, and another hasn’t quite begun. Waiting isn’t my favorite activity and resting is hard for me. But I’ve learned that just as bulbs require the cold and quiet months of winter before sprouting, those “in between times” are vital for our mental, spiritual, and emotional lives. 

Elijah’s story gives us a perfect example of how God uses “in between times” in our lives to root us more deeply in Him before we can sprout and grow. After empowering Elijah to confront King Ahab, the Lord tells him: “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.” (1 Kings 17:3) With that simple command, God shifts Elijah from speaking with authority in the the king’s chambers to living in obscurity, isolated in the wilderness by a brook named “Cherith.” The brook’s name means “to cut off” or to “to cut down.” “[Elijah] was cut off from any visible means of support, but he was also being cut down to size, learning the invaluable lesson of how to depend on God alone.”2 During this season of waiting, the Lord prepares Elijah for future assignments that will be even more challenging.

Priscilla Shirer provides insight that helps us to apply Elijah’s story on a personal level: “’Cherith’—a season of life that I perceived at the time to be undesirable, obscure, isolating, unproductive and relatively mundane…It’s sometimes seemed to me like a waste of  weeks, months, and years, away from the work He’s been calling me to do—work that seems a lot more important to me than the little I appeared to be accomplishing while at Cherith. But just as Elijah apparently needed to learn, I’m not as necessary to the greater work of God, as much as the greater work of God is necessary to me.”3

Can you recall Cherith seasons in your own life? Are you in one now? As I’ve studied week 2 in Priscilla Shirer’s Elijah, God has reminded me of several “in between times” in my past that I didn’t welcome or enjoy (at first). In retrospect, I can see how each one deepened my connection to Him and prepared me for something yet to come. Cherith seasons have taught me to slow down, be patient, and trust God in the waiting. 

I’ve written before about my freshman year in college, when I was lonely and aching for deep friendships. That season of longing drew me into a more intimate relationship with God than I’d ever had before. Now I see that the Lord was teaching me to want Him more than I wanted anything else from Him. Times alone in prayer and Scripture reading built a solid connection between us. God filled my need for security and belonging when I was tempted to look for it in unhealthy places with ungodly people. Seeking Him first gave me the freedom to enjoy friendships without expecting anyone to fill all my longings and meet all my needs.

Later in life, God led me into another Cherith season after the birth of my first child. My son was born in May, which was always one of my busiest seasons at work. His birth pivoted me from overseeing a bustling schedule of student activities at the high school where I taught to sitting in a quiet house nursing a newborn. As much as I loved my son and relished the gift of maternity leave, I felt restless and insignificant. My schedule had been overwhelmingly full for so long that I didn’t know what to do with the time between feeding my baby and changing his diapers. I wrestled with God about staying home with my son or going back to work. My uncertainty led me to begin praying consistently for wisdom, direction, and peace. The Lord also used that quiet season to ignite a hunger in me to study His Word. Choosing to take a leave of absence from my teaching job opened the opportunity to try an inductive Bible study class. Soon, the quiet hours in my house while my son napped became sacred time to meet the Lord in prayer and discover truth in the pages of Scripture. 

Those two “in between times” laid a foundation that I’m still building on today. Cultivating a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord in college and then prioritizing studying His Word in my first years of motherhood continue to sustain me today. Like a bulb sprouting roots underground before pushing upward to the surface, God used those times, and many others since then, to deepen my spiritual roots so that I could blossom and give Him glory.

If you’re in a Cherith season now, let the Lord sustain you as He did for Elijah at the brook. Rather than lamenting the waiting or questioning His purposes, trust that He’s at work in ways you can’t see. Soak up the nutrients of His Word. Reach towards Him in prayer and trust the He’s preparing you for the next step on your journey with Him. “Remember this: Waiting time doesn’t have to be wasted time. Even though you feel like God’s clock is moving at a glacial pace, God knows exactly where you are right now, and He knows exactly what He is doing. Elijah went through a Cherith experience, but during that time of waiting Elijah learned vital skills every one of us has to learn if we are going to be used by God in an extraordinary way.”2

While you wait, take heart and let David’s words in Psalm 27 become your own:“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14, NIV)

Need some encouragement while you wait? Click here and listen to Elevation Worship’s “Do It Again.”

  1. All My Favourite Flower Names: “Spring Bulbs and Other Storage Organs”
  2. Dr. Robert Jeffress, “Two Purposes for Elijah’s Waiting”
  3. Priscilla Shirer, Elijah, Lifeway Press, 2020, 51-52.

Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com.

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Interruptions as Invitations

“We interrupt this regularly scheduled program to bring you this special announcement.” Do you remember those words cutting in while you were watching TV? The interruption was usually followed by a piece of breaking news about the death of someone noteworthy or a shocking event. Once the news anchor shared the information, he or she would end by saying, “And now, back to our regularly scheduled program.” 

Many of us view interruptions to our lives as detractors from our “regularly scheduled programs,” don’t we? Whether it’s minor annoyances or major events, we don’t like having our plans derailed. This makes me think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who experienced the most profound life interruption of all. We learn in Luke 1 that she was a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph. During a shocking visit by the angel, Gabriel, Mary learns that God has chosen her to be the mother to the Messiah and that the child will be conceived miraculously by the Holy Spirit. Despite her fears and questions, Mary responds to the angel’s news by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38, NIV)

Think about the plans she must have been making for her upcoming wedding and the dreams she had for her life with Joseph. Imagine how upsetting it would have been when Gabriel appeared to tell her God had a different plan in mind for her. Most of us don’t like even small interruptions to our plans, but Mary’s story helps us see that interruptions are invitations into God’s bigger story. Her example can inspire us to shift our perspectives so we can be open to how God may want use interruptions for His greater purposes. 

As an unwed teenager, Mary’s pregnancy could have caused many hardships for her, including accusations of adultery and rejection by Joseph, judgement from her community, and even eligibility for the death penalty. In spite of these challenges, she saw herself as God’s servant and agreed to go along with His plan. She didn’t know how things would work out, but she did know who would work them out for her. She trusted God and didn’t fret about all of the potential problems that lay ahead. She was open to Him, no matter how disruptive His plans would be to her life. It’s humbling, isn’t it? 

It could be tempting to view Mary’s story as a one-time miraculous occurrence and to read it without considering how we can apply it personally. However, her response can challenge us to be mindful of the ways He wants to bless too. Scripture shows us that trusting God turns interruptions into “unanticipated opportunities.” Consider this perspective: “God’s plan for the world is disruptive: it breaks into our daily lives and calls us beyond our own concerns. It breaks into history and calls us beyond what conventional wisdom or societal expectations would demand. It bores into our hearts and turns our attention from ourselves onto others and orients us to God.”1

Although I’ve never been visited personally by an angel, God has placed some major interruptions in my life to invite me into His bigger story. This doesn’t necessarily mean something that is public or affects a huge number of people. God’s bigger story can be any situation that refines our characters, prompts spiritual growth, or impacts others.

I experienced one of these “unanticipated opportunities” over a two-and-a-half-year span as my mom’s health started to fail. Once stubborn and independent, she began needing more and more support to deal with every aspect of her life. Since I was the only one of her kids who lived nearby, I gradually began managing her medical care, housing, finances, insurance, and social connections.

Caring for my mom was incredibly challenging with the other responsibilities already on my plate. There were many times when I felt overwhelmed, anxious, and even a bit resentful. At first, I saw meeting her needs and taking her to appointments as interruptions to my regularly scheduled life. I would squeeze them into my packed schedule and often feel anxious and impatient when they took longer than anticipated. But over time, the Holy Spirit helped me to see them as opportunities to love and care for my mom. As I slowed down and made more time for her, our relationship changed for the better.

I often prayed borrowing Paul’s words from Colossians 1:11, asking God to strengthen me with His power so that I would have endurance and patience with my mom. He answered those prayers and also gave me a compassion for her that I hadn’t felt previously. Over two years, the Lord helped me to prioritize my time and enabled me to find a rhythm that allowed for a tender relationship to develop between us. I was so grateful for this when she was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. 

My involvement with my mom intensified during her four months on hospice. I didn’t think twice about clearing my schedule and managing her care. God had used the previous interruptions to prepare me for this last big one. We had some sweet moments together in the four months before she went home to the Lord. Although it was a deeply painful season in my life, God enabled me to honor, serve, and love her with both words and actions. I would have missed out on some significant moments if I’d been unwilling to yield to that divine interruption.

Think about what Mary would have missed if she’d refused to be interrupted by God. What if she’d told Him she wasn’t interested in having Him wreck her plans? I think her example can be an inspiration for each of us to consider how God’s interruptions are invitations into His bigger story. 

I know it seems counter-intuitive to lean into what causes pain and frustration, but will you pray and ask God to give you an attitude like Mary’s? The Lord can use whatever interruption you’re facing to transform you and to bless others through you. It’s a hard process, but also an opportunity to feel God’s nearness and to access His strength in ways we don’t experience in good times.

Let the words of “Breath or Heaven (Mary’s Song)” by Leanna Crawford become your prayer through whatever interruption you’re encountering in this season. Click here to listen.

1. “Mother Mary and Father Abraham: Vocation as Participation in God’s Incredible Plan” by Katharine Mahon, 7-14-17. Click here to read the full article.

A Guide for Saying “Yes”

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV)

How will we discover the adventure of trusting God’s plans for us if we’re never willing to try something new? Maybe you’ve been pondering and praying about that as you’re wrapping up studying Megan Fate Marshman’s Meant for Good. And perhaps you’re feeling a bit confused or unsure about saying “yes” to new opportunities. If so, I’d love to share some questions that have helped me with decision making. Over the years, I’ve used them to process the pros and cons of getting involved in new ventures. 

Saying “yes” creates an exciting opportunity for the Lord to work in and through you. It is important, however, to evaluate your options carefully. Before you decide, read the questions and verses that follow and pray for God to give you clarity. Consider inviting someone you trust and respect to be praying and checking in with you for a set period of time (I suggest one week). 

1.  Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2, NIV

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8, NIV

2.  Is what I’m hearing consistent with God’s character?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23, NET Bible

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31, NIV

3.  Is what I’m hearing being confirmed through other messages? Do people with godly wisdom affirm this decision to say “yes”?

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21, NIV

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22, NIV

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”  Psalm 32:8, NIV

4.  Is what I’m hearing beyond me? Is this something that will require me to rely on God’s strength, wisdom, and guidance rather than just my own skills or gifts?

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” First Thessalonians 5:24, NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26, NIV

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26, NIV

5. Would what I’m hearing please God?

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10, NIV

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” First Corinthians 10:31, NIV

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21, NIV

Once you’ve sorted out the biblical reasons for saying “yes,” it’s time to ask yourself about practical aspects of your current life situation:

  • Can I handle this request along with my current responsibilities?
  • How would this commitment affect my marriage, family, and/ or other important relationships?
  • How will this “yes” mean saying “no” to other things? Is there something else filling my time that it’s time to let go?
  • Do I have the time and mental space to add this onto my plate right now?
  • Do I have emotional bandwidth for this commitment in my life right now?
  • What’s holding me back from saying “yes”? 
  • What positive things could happen if I say “yes”?

Experiencing the adventures God has in store starts with giving your best “yes.” Processing and praying through these questions will enable you to make a decision with confidence and peace.

Above all else, remember that anything God calls you to do is for your good and His glory; He will equip you with exactly what you need! He loves you and wants to bless you in amazing ways as you serve Him. May you discover incredible joy as He leads you to the opportunities He’s prepared just for you! Let “God Who Listens” by Chris Tomlin and Thomas Rhett remind you of His intimate and personal love for you.

*First five questions adapted from What Happens When Women Say ‘Yes’ to God by Lysa TerKeurst, Harvest House Publishers, 2011.

Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for God: The Adventure of Trusting God’s Plans for You, Zondervan 2020.

The Power of Saying “Yes”

We’ve been on a journey together learning about the adventure of trusting God and His plans for us. Megan Fate Marshman wraps up her Meant For Good study with this blessing: “May today mark the day you say ‘Yes!’ to God’s invitation to call upon Him, come and pray to Him, and seek to find Him with all your heart. May you learn to walk in step with His Spirit and obediently say ‘Yes’ to the adventure of trusting Him and the good plans He has for your life!” (page 110)

She emphasizes that every believer has a role to play in fulfilling the Great Commission: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV) With the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we’re called to let Him work through us to share the good news of Jesus with others. 

It all sounds so inspiring, doesn’t it? But truth be told, it’s a little overwhelming too. Keep in mind that saying “yes” to God starts with small choices every day. It begins by seeking Him in His Word and connecting with Him through prayer. It continues by plugging into a community of believers for spiritual growth. As we do that, He’ll reveal new opportunities for us to use our gifts and share the gospel with others. God often uses fellow believers to help us see the potential He’s given us and to show us where we can use it.

To give you a sense for how this works, I’ll share some specific examples from my life. Please bear in mind, the Lord uses us in varied ways and gives us distinct gifts. Our stories may be different, but they all have the same Author.

Fourteen years ago, an acquaintance from my kids’ school invited me to join a women’s Bible study called Focused Living. I’d been praying for God to lead me to more Christian women from my kids’ public school.  This seemed like the answer to my prayers, so I said, “Yes.  How do I sign up?”

A year later, one of the Bible study’s coordinators invited me to co-facilitate a small group.  I was flattered, but I didn’t consider myself the “women’s ministry” type. I had experience leading teens but wasn’t sure I’d be comfortable shepherding my peers.  However, I sensed God nudging me to branch out, so I said, “yes.”  Much to my surprise, facilitating women brought me great joy. It showed me that when we use God’s gifts to fulfill His call, it doesn’t feel like burdensome “work” to serve Him.

A few years into facilitating, I was asked by another acquaintance from my son’s school to serve as the Parent Education Representative for the PTA.  I’d never been involved at this level before, but after praying about it I felt prompted to say “yes.” Almost immediately, God gave me the idea to ask one of our pastors to adapt curriculum from our church’s men’s group into a parent education evening. A few months later, the pastor spoke to 150 men at an event titled: “Raising Boys to be Men of Character.” It was a huge success and taught me that every “yes” didn’t have to be at church. The Lord could use me to impact others in the wider community too.

After that PTA event, I was so excited that I shared about it during an open microphone time at Bible study.  This led to an interview with a reporter of a local news website, which led to an invitation to join her writers’ group. I said “yes,” despite feeling intimidated and fearful about sharing my writing with others. My involvement in that group opened the opportunity to say “yes” to writing two different series of blog posts for the same local news website. I’d never done anything like that before, but both blogs enabled me to share stories about the Lord’s transforming power on a secular website.  I was amazed to see how He used the blogs to touch lives.

Those writing projects prompted the Coordinator of Focused Living to ask me to start writing a regular blog that made the Bible relatable to every day life (which you’re currently reading). Although God had been preparing me, this newest “yes” felt daunting; I wasn’t technology savvy and felt overwhelmed about setting up my own website. It also meant I had to write something worthwhile on a consistent basis.  With trepidation, I said, “yes,” knowing I would have to rely on God every step of the way.

I’m now midway through my ninth year of writing weekly blog posts. Spending so much time studying the Bible and praying for the Lord’s inspiration has caused my own faith to grow exponentially. And in the years since then, God has continued to give me opportunities to say “yes”and expand my comfort zone. I’ve attended writer’s conferences, spoken in front of people at church, started a Bible study for seekers and young believers, and published two Bible studies. All of these adventures felt way beyond what I could handle. Saying “yes” to each one forced me to rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, confidence, and guidance.

Looking back, it’s clear how each affirmative answer prepared me for the next one.  In each instance, I was hesitant, worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle what was required of me. God never revealed more than I needed to know, He just asked me to trust Him enough to take one step at a time. And He always equipped me with what I needed. Through each experience I grew spiritually and felt a deep sense of joy and purpose.

Did you notice that every part of my journey included someone else inviting me to stretch in a different way? Often the people around us recognize spiritual gifts and potential within us that we don’t see in ourselves. So, how do you respond typically when someone invites you to serve outside your comfort zone? Don’t be too quick to say “no.” You could be missing out on an incredible opportunity to grow spiritually and impact others. Besides, how will you discover the adventure of trusting God’s plans for you if you’re never willing to try something new?

So, where do you need to step out in faith and say “yes”? Perhaps it’s time to start praying about that. Also, be sure to read my next post for some helpful tips. Until then, let Cade Thompson’s “Every Step of the Way” remind you that God walks with you and equips you for whatever He’s calling you to do.

Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You, Zondervan 2020.