This is a long one - think of it as a call to persevere... :-)
A few days ago I began writing ideas that came to me while reading Joseph’s story (Genesis 37-50). One thing led to another and eventually I just had a jumbled mess of great ideas that I couldn’t seem to link to one another in a way that I’d be satisfied with. Then, I decided I would write a series. After writing the first two posts, I decided I would write a mini e-book. Hopefully this will help me to clarify my thoughts and it will be logical and easy to understand for those who read it. So, I said all of that to say – that I will not be sharing my ideas with Joseph at this time. However, I will share how I even came across Joseph’s story.
Monday I received a bit of news that could mean I’m about to walk through a few transitions. Since I don’t know what they look like – it’s a little frightening. Instead of letting me become disheartened, I felt the Lord enticing me into His presence. When I came home, all I wanted to do was read the Word or pray…I didn’t know what I’d read or what I’d really say – but it was that nagging feeling inside of me saying that nothing was more important at that time.
Since the Psalms are encouraging, I opened my bible to the middle and landed on Psalm 105:17-22 where I read a brief snippet of Joseph’s life. This had me thinking about Joseph and I decided to read his story in its entirety. God lifted my spirit and covered me with His joy. He really
is a good Dad…He knows what I need – even when I don’t.
So, I said all of
THAT to testify that He’s faithful and to tell you He’s back at it again. Tonight I came home and started cleaning/organizing to unwind from a long day at work. Most people’s idea of relaxing has to do with minimal movement…I’m probably a freak or something. Anyway, I was cleaning and felt the need to spend time with God. Once again, I didn’t know what I’d pray or where I should start reading. When I started praying, I was so distracted. I muttered two or three sentences about something, paused for about three minutes and then mumbled a few words about something completely different. Nice.
As you can probably guess, praying lasted all of about 8 distracted minutes. So I went to the Word. I wanted to read one of Jesus’ parables for some reason…and wouldn’t you know – I flipped to a page in my NLT study bible (that I didn’t even know it had) which contained a list of all of Jesus’ parables.
Get outta here! Now, to pick one…I felt the need to read about prayer (since I was so distracted). My options were: “The Unjust Judge” (Luke 18:1-8) and “The Friend at Midnight” (Luke 11:5-8). Right away I recalled what the first was about so I went to read the second thinking that it might tell me something about my inability to pray “efficiently.”
Turns out, the friend at midnight is very similar to the unjust judge. Both teach us to pray again and again until we receive what we ask for. There are some stipulations to this (seeking the Kingdom first -
Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31), but I’ll save that for another post and another day.
I didn’t have some extreme revelation descend on me from heaven while I was laying on my bedroom floor reading the passage. It was semi-encouraging but it wasn’t anything I was jumping up and down over (hence the
laying on the floor). But, I started reading a book on intercession (praying or pleading on behalf of someone else) that a dear friend of mine gifted me for my birthday last year. It outlines and describes the different types of intercessors. The very first one was an
issue intercessor…praying about issues that make you weep and pound the table because they aren’t right and they aren’t fair. If I really interceded for half of the issues that weigh on my heart, my fists would be bruised and my wrists might be broken. I’ve been lazy.
God reminded me, through this book, that there are brothers and sisters risking their lives all over the world in order for others to know the Joy they’ve received. And what am I doing? Laying on my floor thinking about Humpty Dumpty and making a snack. Not really, but you know what I mean.
Anyway, injustice is also another post for another day.
My point is that, if you are discouraged from spending time with God because you don’t know what to say or where to start reading…do it anyway. Just try it. Keep going – because He will show up. This weekend, my pastor said he usually reads until he gets something that jumps out at him or gives him an “a-ha” type of feeling. Little by little, God is increasing the intimacy in our relationship – I can’t stay away from Him. Most of the time I come into His presence not knowing what to say or what to do. But He is loving and He’s always waiting for me. How I love Him.
Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. - Isaiah 55:6
No one loves you like He does.
Go talk to Him. He’s waiting for you.