My dad was a farmer in Fruitland, ID when I was little. During the harvest he would let me climb up in the combine with him, I loved that time. It gave me a chance to get away from my brothers and just spend time with my dad. Rarely did I get alone time with dad, I was a busy little girl with mud puddles to jump in and ditches to play in, but on occasion I left my dirty world behind and stood above with my dad.
It was breath-taking up there; it looked so different. The world seemed so much bigger up there. I was sure that I could see forever! And the peace. It was so incredibly peaceful up in the cab of the combine. Not quiet, but it was soothing. I liked listening to the hum of that big machine and I loved sitting upon my dad's knee. It was perfect. And then, somehow, I would wake up on the floor of the cab of the combine. I had fallen asleep in perfect contentment next to my dad. He let me rest.
1 Peter 5:7 tells us, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." When I cast all of troubles, concerns, and anxiety on Him it is amazing what He does. God gives me a different perspective of life. God offers me the freedom to look at the world as He does. My Father gives me a "peace that passes all understanding" because He reminds me that everything is in His hands and will happen in His time. He lets me rest because He knows that worrisome days and sleepless nights are not good for my body.
And why? Why would God want me in this place? For the same reason my dad would take me up in the combine - because He loves me more than I could ever dream and He wants to spend time with me. Me! Of all people! The same God that spoke light into the world whispers how much He loves me in my ear.
Give Him everything you got. Your stuff cannot scare Him away. His promises are for you, He will be faithful! He will never let you down because He cares for you.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Ebeneezer
Do you have yours? Your Ebeneezer?
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebeneezer, saying, 'Thus far has the Lord helped us.'" 1 Samuel 7:12
A rock of help. That is simply what is. This rock helped Samuel and God's people remember what God had done for them. It helped them remember how He saved them and gave them victory over their enemy.
My Ebeneezer is actually at Camp Perkins. I visit it everytime I go up there. It is a place where God met me and forgave me and revealed Himself to me in a very real way. I sat on that rock, by the swimming area, crying and confessing and seeking something that was not deserved...forgiveness; and God gave Himself to me that day. It was the day I knew that He was real, that He was there, that He had something so much better for me than I could ever imagine. It was the day that I knew I would be a DCE and serve Him. I was 14.
I go back to that place every year to be reminded of how far God has helped me. I have sat on that rock at various times of my life confessing again and seeking fogiveness again. I know victory on that rock - battles have been won on that rock! And on that rock I worship The-God-Who-Sees-Me for who I am and loves beyond measure anyway. I offer my hands and heart to Him because of where I am now.
I should be dead. Probably physically - for sure spiritually. But He would not allow it. I am a benefit to Him. He looks at me and laughs with joy because we get to spend eternity together. All I can do is say thank you and share my heart and life for Jesus.
Where is your Ebeneezer? What happened to you there? Can you share it with me?
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebeneezer, saying, 'Thus far has the Lord helped us.'" 1 Samuel 7:12
A rock of help. That is simply what is. This rock helped Samuel and God's people remember what God had done for them. It helped them remember how He saved them and gave them victory over their enemy.
My Ebeneezer is actually at Camp Perkins. I visit it everytime I go up there. It is a place where God met me and forgave me and revealed Himself to me in a very real way. I sat on that rock, by the swimming area, crying and confessing and seeking something that was not deserved...forgiveness; and God gave Himself to me that day. It was the day I knew that He was real, that He was there, that He had something so much better for me than I could ever imagine. It was the day that I knew I would be a DCE and serve Him. I was 14.
I go back to that place every year to be reminded of how far God has helped me. I have sat on that rock at various times of my life confessing again and seeking fogiveness again. I know victory on that rock - battles have been won on that rock! And on that rock I worship The-God-Who-Sees-Me for who I am and loves beyond measure anyway. I offer my hands and heart to Him because of where I am now.
I should be dead. Probably physically - for sure spiritually. But He would not allow it. I am a benefit to Him. He looks at me and laughs with joy because we get to spend eternity together. All I can do is say thank you and share my heart and life for Jesus.
Where is your Ebeneezer? What happened to you there? Can you share it with me?
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