Almighty God

Now I Know In Part

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

In 2009, while in my pantry, I felt the Lord urging me to give a substantial amount of money each month in an offering. I immediately questioned His timing.

Father, Are you sure? You know we are struggling at this time, and I feel I need to save more, rather than give more. Still, I couldn’t shake the need to give.

In the midst of my argument, He asked, “When do you sow? In harvest or planting season?” That’s when I realized He was up to something.

In the past, when He had asked something from me, it usually had more to do with what He was trying to accomplish in me, than the action He was asking of me.

I continued putting away my groceries when suddenly the account of the Shunammite woman leaped to mind. I stored the remaining cans and walked to my desk. Opening my Bible, I turned to the fourth chapter of Second Kings and began devouring the passage with a new interest.

  • She fed Elisha when he traveled in her area.
  • She had spiritual perception, recognizing Elisha as a man of God.
  • Along with her husband, she created a small living space for Elisha.

I understood that she had the money to feed, build a room, and decorate it for Elisha. What I did not gather was her “need” for anything, or so I thought.

Although she was fruitful in many areas, one area of her life remained barren. The Bible does not give a reason for her infertility. We’re told only that Elisha, grateful for her hospitality, desired “to give her” something. When Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, noted her childlessness, Elisha prophesied that she would “embrace a son.” The Word tells us that she conceived and brought forth a son.

It wasn’t so much as “the gift” she gave to Elisha as it was the “act of obedience” needed to position her to “receive” something God deemed necessary in her life. Elisha was the last piece to bring that divine purpose to reality. Could God have given her the son without Elisha? Of course! But that wasn’t the plan.

I recalled my prayers for every area of my life to become fruitful. Trust and Anger issues from the past kept me from being prolific in the present. Could it be God was trying to position me for answers? Would my obedience trigger a reaction in my life?

As I pondered these questions, I saw puzzle pieces on an ornate wooden table. A hand guided the diverse sections to the right place at the right time to complete the image. At that moment, everything clicked into place.

The Shunammite’s actions brought a reaction resulting in Elisha becoming a part of her life. She needed Elisha in her life more than he needed her gifts in his life.

The promised child died, Elisha prayed. The child lived again. When warned of a famine by Elisha, she sojourned in the land of the Philistines (2 Kings 8). Seven years later, she returned home to petition the king for the return of her house and her land.

When she approached the king, Gehazi was with him telling the great things Elisha had done. When Gehazi heard her petition, he told the king, “This is the woman and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” The king ordered everything restored unto her “since the day she left the land, even until now.”

Did she realize when she built that little room for Elisha what she would get in return? I think not. What would have happened if she’d withheld her gift? Would she still have had a son? If she’d never met Gehazi, what would’ve happened to her house and lands? Hmm.

Pixabay Public Domain

Pixabay Public Domain

I repented of my reluctance. I needed to stop focusing on what I was giving up, and just trust Him. To free-fall in faith wasn’t going to be easy, but it was necessary if I was ever going to move forward. I chose to obey and haven’t looked back since. My obedience taught me trust and eventually, I let go of the anger. I came to realize I needed God in my life more than He needed my gifts.

Is there something God is asking of you? Are you struggling? If so, you are not alone. With every mountain, comes another level of faith. Like the Shunammite, it’s not about the “action” so much as it’s about the chain “reaction” that will take place afterward.

God works in mysterious ways. We only see in part. Yet, He asks us to trust and obey until that day when all is revealed. Take the leap and free-fall in faith!

Blessings

Gail

 

At Your Word

/ Gail Johnson

They had toiled all night with nothing to show for their labor. The morning found them ashore washing their nets. Then Jesus entered Simon’s boat. At His request, Simon took the boat out from the shore.

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes ~ James Tissot (1894) public domain

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes ~ James Tissot (1894) public domain

After he taught the people, the Lord commanded Simon Peter to launch out into the deep and let down the net for a catch.

Peter replied, “Master, we have worked hard all night and caught nothing. But at your word, I will let down the net.”

Luke 5: 6-7 says the multitude of fish was so great they needed help to gather them to shore.

 

The difference?

Jesus.

Something to Ponder

When reading this story many questions come to mind.

What if Peter had not been willing to stop what he was doing and obey?

What if he had continued with the task at hand—washing his net?

What if he had refused to soil the net again?

What if he had ignored his visitor?

Something to Learn

As with every story, there is a lesson. When Jesus approached Peter, he first requested an action and then waited for Peter to respond. Today, He waits for my response.

Next, the Lord gave a command and waited. Today, He commands me through His word. It is my choice to obey.

For his obedience, Peter redeemed his losses from the night before. Today, I will be blessed for my obedience.

I always have a choice.

Never give up.

Be sensitive to His presence.

Mornings follow even the darkest nights.

Learn to recognize the voice of the Master.

Trust and obey.

It’s not over until it’s over.

Truth

At Your word, I will reap the harvest You have planned for me!

Season’s Purpose

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

Changes Revealed

Phot~pixabay

Pixabay

This time of the year brings a breath-taking transition to our surroundings as emerald-green leaves turn a myriad of gold, orange, and crimson for all to behold.

Not so in my neck of the woods. This year, the oak trees have decided to skip that particular process and turn a sickly greenish-brown just before falling to the ground. Sigh.

I felt robbed of the autumnal experience until I remembered the purpose of the transition is growth. Still, that didn’t help the way I felt as I frantically searched for a little color each day.

But then, while wading through leaves to water the flowers yesterday, the Spirit of the Lord gently reminded me that even when we understand the reason, we often lose sight of the beauty.

Beauty Revealed

Photo~pixabay

Photo~pixabay

Ahh. There are seasons our colors shine for all to see as we demonstrate strength, long-suffering, humbleness, love, or even joy in the midst of excruciating pain. But then, there are seasons when our ugly greenish-brown comes out as God strips away the old.

Our secrets are exposed. Our faults and failures revealed. We feel naked to the world. We become vulnerable. We question ourselves and everything around us. We search for someone to blame. Angry, we storm the gates of Heaven for answers. Nothing. We wait. Winter sets in. There’s no solace as we face the icy winds and rains. Our foundation is shaken.

Photo~Wikipedia Public Domain

Photo~Wikipedia Public Domain

We try to regain some normalcy in our lives as we stubbornly continue to forge ahead. We watch as the days turn into months, and months into years. And when it seems, we have reached our limit and feel we cannot go on, the sod beneath us begins to warm. Our roots stretch to take new ground. Our branches stand taller bursting with new growth. And once again, we are arrayed in His purpose, beautiful in His sight.

Purpose Revealed

Are you in a season of glorious color or sickly greenish-brown? Both have their purpose, Beloved. Both have their beauty.

It’s easy to focus on the surroundings when God wants us to open our eyes to the miraculous process taking place within us. In Second Kings, the servant of the man of God awoke to an army surrounding the city with horses and chariots. When he asked the man of God what they were going to do, Elisha told him to “fear not” and then he prayed.

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 6:17 KJV).

A Seasonal Prayer

Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver~wikicommons

Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver~wikicommons

Lord, during this season of transition, I pray that You would open our eyes to the beauty of Your purpose in us. Help us to not focus on the situation, but the outcome. Strengthen us for the journey. Instill in us a determination to make it, no matter the obstacles we must face. May we be reminded, Your grace is enough for every season and Your power is made perfect in our weakness. May we grow in grace and shine forth as a beautiful, fruitful testimony of Your incredible faithfulness in the lives of Your children. And for all of this, I offer You thanks. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.