Don’t you hate it when God shows up and is just so darn inconvenient?
You know how I wrote about the book of Numbers, and God’s irritating penchant for obedience on Monday?
I didn’t like that post. I thought it was booooring.
Remembering…obedience… yadda, yadda, yadda…
Well, the problem with writing a blog is that then it’s out there. And then I’m more…you know… accountable.
So when God showed up after I wrote about obedience with a clear invitation to obey Him I was a tad grumpy.
And it seemed He was bugging me not just about obeying, but obeying another verse of Scripture I’d really rather edit out.
No, that’s not true. Actually it’s not one verse I want to cut. It’s ALL the verses that mention serving.
You know…”Serve one another humbly in love.”*
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.”*
Could I just go back to Numbers and the eating the bitter herbs and not breaking the bones thing?
Anyway, so I get this email from a young friend who has endured a lot of physical challenges after an accident. Her email is asking if anyone might be available to spend the afternoon driving her from one place in St. Paul to a physical therapy appointment in Minneapolis, waiting there for two hours, and then driving her home to west Bloomington.
I’m sure it was really hard for her to ask. And her recovery has been a grueling marathon of pain.
And my compassionate, godly, response upon reading this email? Noooooooo! That’s the last thing I want to do! I hate city driving! I hate waiting! And I hate being inside!
Yes, I thought, I’m free in that time frame, but maybe if I wait to respond someone else (someone who loves spending a summer afternoon driving the Twin Cities) will jump at the opportunity! (I know, I know! I am a terrible human being.)
And you know what God said to my selfish little soul? Three words:
No.
You.
Now!
(He might have added JUST DO IT. But I’m not sure because I was frantically trying turn up the volume on my iTunes to drown Him out.)
Don’t you just hate it when He does that??
We’re happy to pray. But be the answer to someone else’s prayer? Not so much.
Where has God stretched you outside your comfort zone lately?
*Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 6:7
God has been prompting to reach out to people that I normally wouldn’t. It’s uncomfortable at first, but they always have needed it when I did. Thanks for the honest post.
Thanks Tammy! It’s great that you’re responding to those promptings that stretch you. I’d love to hear more about your experience in this area. Has it been awkward? Rewarding? Enlightening?
Laura I just have to say “way to go you” for listening and serving in a way you really didn’t want to. I was remembering just this morning something you said at Mom’s Morning almost two years ago about taking what little you have (the lady with the oil and flour, can’t remember her name!) and using it in faith and trust. So you took your summer afternoon and did that. This year God’s been prompting me to use the little pockets of time that I do have to watch someone’s child for the afternoon, or give a child a ride, or small things to help make others day a little easier even if it makes mine a little harder. Its been a real blessing!
Fantastic, Kari! I don’t know about you, but the challenge for me beyond gritting my teeth and doing it, is actively looking for God in the moments and praying for His heart to go along with the acts of service. Hard stuff, especially for moms like you who are in such a season of being stretched everyday with little ones you’re serving!! Yea you!
Thanks Laura for answering His call, for listening, and obeying in what He wants us to do even when we don’t often want that. I appreciate it and know that God is using you in Amazing ways. Thanks for being a light and great reminder to me of His incredible love.