Missing Miracles

I am doing a Bible reading plan via YouVersion that will have me read through the entire Bible in 1 year. (Admittedly I am a bit behind but I am trying to catch up.) Today's reading had in me in Exodus, reading one of my favorite stories in the whole Bible. The parting of the Red Sea.

Besides the whole story being amazing, here is the part that stuck out to me and prompted this post:

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” Exodus 14:13-18

 

So let me set the stage... The Israelites had been in slavery for a really long time in Egypt, hundred's of years. They were horribly mistreated. Through a series of miraculous plagues sent by God upon the Egyptians, the Pharaoh decided to let the Israelites go back to Israel. 

They all set off on a long journey by foot. Literally over 2 million of them. On foot. 2 MILLION. I know how slow going traffic is in Dallas with a few hundred cars so I can't imagine how slow moving 2 over million men, women, children and animals was. Yikes!

Anyway, the Pharaoh changed his mind after they left, and so they got their chariots ready and went after them to bring them back. One would think that 2 million people would be no match for a few hundred men and horses, but I guess that shows the power of the mind when someone else controls it.

The Israelites see the chariots coming and they panic, blaming Moses and saying they should have never left in the first place. You see... they were in a bit of a pinch. Before them was the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh bringing up the rear and closing fast.

In case you were wondering, the Red Sea is big! It's about 220 miles wide at it's widest part and covers over 169,000 sq. miles of land. This was no trivial little body of water to cross and going around was not an option.

So Moses has a little talk with God and what he is told blows my mind. I'm sure it blew Moses' mind too. I really would have like to watch that conversation taking place. I can see Moses appearing to talk with himself and it getting a tad bit animated with lots of hand gestures. I have to imagine there may have been a few "You want me to do what? And you're gonna do WHAT?" type moments. 

God told Moses to put a stick (well staff but still a stick) across the sea and it would part so the people could walk across on dry ground. They didn't even have to worry about mud!

In case you are visual like me, here is my favorite video clip from The Prince of Egypt movie that shows this scene play out.

Anyway, it got me thinking. What if Moses had listened to the Israelites and not believed God could save them? What if this miracles never had happened because of the doubt in their minds. Because they couldn't wrap their human brains around the fact that God controls everything, even the seas, and is faithful to deliver us in times of trouble.

They would have missed one incredible miracle!!

How many times in our lives do we miss miracles that God is willing to do on our behalf because we can't wrap our little human brains around the fact that our God is big enough to part seas for us?

How many miracles have we missed because we stop trusting and taking action when we hear God ask us to do something that seems impossible and forget that HE will make a way if we will just believe?

That is my challenge to myself and to all of you today. Believe God when you hear Him asking you to step out in faith. Take action. Move forward and get ready to watch God in action.

History shows us that when we get out of the way, are obedient and take action as led by the Lord, that what we see Him do will blow our minds!

PS - If you are wondering if this is just some story found in a book that was made up, Google it. They have actually found pieces of chariots at the bottom of the Red Sea. How awesome is THAT! What evidence of God's miracles will they find in your life when they look at it year from now?

Safety or Risk: The Scary Truth about Living a Faith without Borders

This is my dog Sydney. She LOVES to be outside. 

She explores our backyard like it is her vast wonderland, which it probably seems like for a 12 pound puppy dog. 

The fence in our yard is in need of just enough repair that she has some small windows in to what lies beyond her safe haven. She barks at the other dogs like she is much bigger than she is. She defends her turf when the neighbor is tending her garden. She owns her space and is bold. 

Enter the open door...

Sometimes when I go out front to take out trash or get the mail, I will invite her to go with me. She hesitantly stands at the front door, wanting so badly to go out with me and explore this strange new world - full of possibilities and new adventure. 

And yet she hesitates. No amount of coaxing will get her to budge.

Even though I will be right by her side and will not let anything happen to her, the great unknown is just a little to much for her. She is happy with her walls and fence and the safety and comfort they bring. 

And so, she stays. Safe in what she knows and missing out on all that she might discover if she just ventured out.

Today I feel a bit like Sydney. 

A few weeks ago I was comfortable with my life and my ministry. Great house. Wonderful family. All was well.  And then God saw fit to rock that boat a bit. 

He has seen fit to begin to break down my safe walls and opened the door to possibilities for my future that I did not know were there or would not have even considered just weeks ago. I hear Him asking me, nudging me, to follow Him and just trust. I know in my heart that He will never let me down and will always be by my side, and yet - I hesitate. Comfortable in the walls I have made for myself.

As He so often does, He spoke to me loudly through music this week. 

I have had this song, Oceans by Hillsong, on repeat for most of the last 2 days. The chorus is shouting at me and yet gently soothing my soul at the same time. It says this:

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander. And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior."

And so the decision is mine. I can stay where I am and wonder what greatness God has for me beyond the borders I have built for myself, or I can venture out to the unknown - firm in the knowledge that my faith WILL be made stronger in the presence of my Savior. 

I don't know about you - but I choose to walk forward in faith. Trusting God will lead and guide. That what He has for me through that open door is more than I could ever ask for or imagine. 


So what about you? Are you being called beyond your trust borders? Are you ready to go? What is holding you back?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

I would love to hear from you. Shoot me your comments and let me know what you think. Share it with others as well and follow this blog for future thoughts and reflections. 

The Times They are a Changin'

How do you feel about change?

Love it?
Hate it?
Somewhere in the middle?

I am one that, for the most part, likes it. I have a tendency to get bored when things stay the same for too long. I can usually navigate change well and enjoy the process. 

However...

What happens when God asks you to change and it involves something that you love and hold very dear to you heart? That's the world I am living in right now. 

For the last 7 years I have had the privilege of serving the Lord through my music. It is my love and passion, but God asked me to lay it down. He has asked me to give up something that I hold very very dear and instead, move in to a place of uncertainty. 

I am not a fan of uncertainty. I like to be able to see the picture even when the pieces are not all together yet. I actually usually do that fairly easily. But not this time. It is just blurry. I can't see how things are going to all work out and it makes me uneasy. 

The real "ah-ha" moment came when I heard God say "Do you love your job and your ministry more than you love Me?" "Will you lay it down for Me?"

I was faced with the ugly question of whether or not I had made my worship an idol that was more important that the One who was the object of that worship.

In the Bible, Genesis 22, Abraham was faced with the same situation. He longed for a son and when Isaac was born, he thanked God for the gift of his son. He loved Isaac more than his own life. 

Then God asked Abraham to make the most difficult decision of his life. God asked him to lay Isaac on an alter and sacrifice him like an animal to honor the Lord. 

And Abraham did what the Lord asked.

Only at the very last moment, God stopped Abraham from killing his son and provided a ram to sacrifice in his place. 

God saw that Abraham was willing to lay down his most precious thing, a supreme sacrifice for sure. And so God blessed Abraham and all his descendants.

I am not comparing my situation in any way to the magnificent sacrifice Abraham was willing to make for the Lord, but I do feel like God was asking the same question of me. 

"Are you willing to give up what you hold dear because I ask it of you. Are you willing to move to a place of uncertainty that may cost you something because you love me and you trust that I have something better for you?"

And so, with tears and mixed emotions, I said "Yes, Lord. I will lay it down for you. I will lay it down because I love you and I trust you."

As I navigate this change, I don't do it right every day - but I try my best to give it over to the Lord because He asked it of me. I strive to navigate these days with grace and trust that His plan for my life is far better than anything I could ever ask or imagine.

What may He be asking you to give up? Is there anything that you may are putting above Him in your life? Will you lay it down if and when he asks?