Thoughts for a Rainy Day...

Today is a rainy day.  If you're like me (Amy), you may need a little extra hope to thrive on days like this one.  I found some encouragement in the book of Job today, and wanted to share it with you.  Keep in mind that Job said these words after he'd lost everything except his wife and his life, and he was only hanging on to those by a thread.  His life was hanging in the balance due to some really nasty health conditions, so his wife was repulsed by him and told him to curse God and die.  Job was having a very rainy day, which ended up dragging on for many more days.  But he clung to the Truth that transcended his feelings and circumstances, and said,

"I know that my Redeemer lives,

and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

And after my skin has been destroyed,

yet in my flesh I will see God;

I myself will see him

with my own eyes—I, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!"

(Job 19: 25-27, emphasis mine) 

Cling to this Truth, my friends!  No amount of rain can wash it away.

Extreme

How extreme are you willing to be?  How far will you go to obey God?  Those are the questions that I (Amy) have been asking myself lately.  I think about Noah building an ark in a land that had never seen rain.  I think about Esther marrying a king she didn't love (or know, for that matter). I think about little David standing before a giant with just a few small stones.  All because God said so.

And then I think, "Would I be willing?"  Granted, God probably won't ask me to build an ark or marry a king or kill a giant with a rock.  But what if He asked me to move to a foreign country, or quit working on the degree I'm just a few months away from earning, or stay single for the rest of my life?  Disclaimer: So far, God has not asked me to do any of those things, and I sure wouldn't choose to do any of them on my own.  But if He asked, would I be willing? 

Yes.

Not because I have no dreams for my own life or because I have an amazing gift of understanding God's plans before they unfold.  But because I've followed God far enough to know that His plans are so much better than my dreams, and the peace that comes from walking with Him truly does surpass my understanding.

Like Jesus said, though, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  So I'm praying, "Lord, help me to obey you in the small things each day.  Help me to listen for Your still, small voice.  And help me to obey in the big things when Your voice is loud and clear.  I've tasted and I've seen that You are worth it, and I want to follow You. Amen."

What's God asking You to do today?  Are you willing?