November 23, 2009

Treading Water

No "gifts" post today. Because, to be quite honest, our current state has felt nothing like a gift lately. In fact, it's felt like quite the opposite.

A lie, brought to me courtesy of the prince of 'em.

Weekends are the toughest. During the week, I'm too occupied with my job, housework & homework to care about much else. Saturdays bring time to think and worry, inevitably leaving me utterly defeated. I have no interest in leaving the house, seeing anyone, or doing anything. I sink to the lowest point I can imagine. Just in time for God to scoop me up on Sunday and remind me that He's got this under control.

I've been thinking a lot about water. God keeps bringing the Israelites' journey to the Red Sea to my attention. I wonder, have I jumped into the sea too early? Do I think I can navigate this obstacle on my own? Am I trying to move ahead before without giving God time to perform the miracle?

I've never been a strong swimmer. I can tread water, but I don't like it. It's tiring and it gets you nowhere. I'd rather just walk on across. Since I can't do that right now, I've got to exercise a little lot of patience and faith.

The Israelites only had to wait overnight for their deliverance. I'm sure it felt like much longer, considering the entire Egyptian army was on their heels. It was probably the longest night of their lives. Yet when God acted, there was no doubt about Who had delivered them. They went into the midst of the sea on dry ground (Exodus 14:22, ESV), and started marching toward their freedom.

2008 was the Year of Peace and Simplicity.
2009 is the Year of Trust and Obedience.

And now...
2010 will be the Year of Faith and Freedom.

Come along with me & let's see what my Jesus will do!





3 comments:

jenmom said...

I'm with you sweet sister!

I was just revisiting Exodus 14 and 15 the other day myself! On New Year's Eve, 2008, we were at my husband's home church in AL and the pastor spoke out of Exodus 14. I decided then to adopt verse 14 for 2009: "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

There were lots of areas I needed to "be still" in at that time. The pastor pointed out that right in the next verse the LORD tells Moses to tell the Israelites to "move on". He, the pastor, spoke about moving on into the New Year with faith and trust in the Lord anticipating His deliverance and work in our lives.

So, I am most certainly with you in 2010 being the year of faith and freedom!!

"Who among the gods is like you, O Lord: Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" Ex.15:11

Lisa Spence said...

Eager to see and rejoice in the Lord's faithfulness to you! I love your choice to be deliberate in seeking the freedom that is yours in the Lord. He will indeed bring you to the wide open spaces of His grace and provision...

Joanne : The Simple Wife said...

Good morning, dear friend.

Been praying for you already this morning. And was praying specifically about this--those times when faith wavers, when the storm doesn't seem like much of a gift, when it all seems too real, when you're ready to yell, "Enough already!"

Remembering that God is sufficient. He is enough. Even when it's hard to see it.

Love you,

Joanne