Skip to main content

Worth the Chance

Originally I had planned on only posting when I had something to add to my 1000 Gifts list. But that would mean two things:

1. I could potentially go for a long time without posting anything
2. I would actually have to look for things to be grateful for...

And there it is. The hard part.

I can say so many times that I am a grateful person, and that I have so much to be grateful for. So making a list of 1000 things should be no problem (especially for an avid list maker such as myself).
And yet... this is only my second blog post, and it's been about two weeks.

In my Bible reading this week I was reading in Judges and came across a very hard verse. To put into context what's going on here, the Israelites have entered the promised land. And, with Joshua's help, they have driven out the occupants, started to settle the land, and are beginning to enjoy peace from God. Except... they haven't done so great with driving out the occupants. For any number of reasons (fear, lack of trust, lack of motivation, sheer disobedience...), they have left some of the other cultures untouched. So what does God say? "Because this nation has violated the covenant I ordained for their ancestors and has not listened to me, I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their ancestors did" (Judges 2:20b-22 (NIV), emphasis mine).

Whoa. Not, "I will rescue them as I did before." But also not, "I will totally destroy them for this wicked thing they've done." No! Instead, God says, "You know what you're supposed to do. So now I'm going to let you decide when, or if, you're going to do it."

I have been wrong in my thinking. Sometimes, when God is silent, it isn't approval, or anger, or me not asking the right way. Sometimes, that sin I keep running to (or from) is there to test me. To see if I will do what I know to do. Ouch- hard truth.

God. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I know what to do and choose the easy and comfortable way. I know what to do, so give me the courage to do what you have taught me. And also, I'm sorry that it's easier to ignore your blessings than it is to look for them. Give me your eyes to see what you're doing for me. Thank you for all I don't acknowledge.

1000 Gifts:
1. The storm is fleeting
2. The chance to change

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Caught

I am a Christian who voted for Hillary. Now that that's out of the way... I've noticed a growing disconnect between the way I was raised and the expectations for me. When I mentioned in passing to my mom that I had never voted for the person who became president, there was a pause. And when the question finally came, "You voted for Hillary?" there was something there I couldn't place. Surprise, sure... but something else. I've felt it this whole election cycle. Christians passionately and loudly came down on both sides. Listen, neither candidate was perfect, and neither exemplifies Biblical living perfectly. Now that that's out of the way... Here are my thoughts... here's why  I voted for her. 1. I was raised to be a thoughtful, caring and compassionate person. I was taught that my value does not come from the words people use to describe me (although that does show me the value they place on me). So when I hear a man who is runni
Post a Comment
Read more

Resting Secure

As most of you know, I'm deep in the teaching job search. Which is growing my faith like crazy, and I love that part (really, only that part). And for a reason I can only explain as God, I have a huge peace through this process. The last time I did this (two years ago in Indianapolis), I was putting all my hopes in me and how awesome I thought I was. And, no surprise, I didn't get a job, but did get a big piece of humble pie. Which is why this peace I have now is too good to keep to myself. About a month ago, I found out there was unofficially a job opening at the school I work at now, in exactly the grade level I want to teach (5th), and I really liked the teachers who also taught that grade. But I wasn't exactly sure I even wanted to stay in this district, or even at that school. There were a lot of things I just wasn't used to, and I was worried I wouldn't be happy. So, I prayed about it- for clarity and specific direction. About two weeks later, I had a very
Post a Comment
Read more