Ahh, Decisions

The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Numbers 17:8

I admire decisive people--people who can walk into the department store, look at the racks of shoes and immediately know which pair is for them. I, on the other hand, could spend hours thoroughly perusing every shoe, building pie charts and bar graphs writing full on analytical reports on the probability of usage, durability, cuteness and practicality while also considering weather, number of color coordinating outfits and so on. THANKFULLY I have six children and am seldom allotted such time in ANY store, thus I have perfected the art of “stick-to-list-grab-n-go” (a much more financially sound approach, too, I might add). However, left to my own destruction I would be quick to revert to my tragic natural ability to over-analyze everything.

So when I came across this passage in Scripture I was intrigued.

The Israelites were trying to determine who God’s chosen leader would be. God told Moses to put 12 staffs, one from the leader of each ancestral tribe, inside the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 17:5 says, “The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout.”  

The next day Moses went in to check the staffs for God’s direction and not only had God made His chosen leader's staff sprout but it had budded, blossomed, AND produced almonds! There was no doubt, God had made His direction for chosen leadership VERY clear.

God always has a plan. 

Am I seeking Him for HIS plan or am I so diluted by self that I’m not even asking the right questions for clarity? 

Have I fully surrendered to Him my will and my desires so that when I ask Him for His way, or to hear His voice, I’m really ready to receive it? 

Or, am I already looking sub-consciously for what I want to hear and thus am blinded to all the buds, blossoms and almonds God is trying to show me?

Dear Jesus search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). 

Amen.

Janette Kieffer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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Catch the Breeze

Feel like you’ve been in a rowboat paddling like a crazy woman?

Or, in a battleship that you can’t get to turn around?

Or, a cruise ship surrounded by people who won’t go away?

Or, a fishing boat that is smelly and messy?

Or, a speed boat that is going full throttle?

Today it is time to take a breath and catch the breeze in your sails.  Breathe.  Deep breaths.  Close your eyes and breathe.

You are not alone.  Jesus has been with you when you were aboard the crazy rowboat or in any of those other boats. The problem is you have been trying to do it all yourself and it has worn you out. 

Try something different.  Imagine life as a sailboat where you are dependent on the breezes to move you.  Instead of puckering up and blowing into the sail trying to move the boat yourself, take a deep breath and say, “Jesus.”  When you do, open your hands as a gesture of showing Jesus you are done trying to right the ship.  

“My beloved ones, don’t ever limit your joy or fail to rejoice in the wonderful experience of knowing our Lord Jesus!” Philippians 3:1

Your experience is designed to give God praise.  Then, and only then, can you realize Jesus has been beside you in every port, ship and boat these past few weeks.

Hands open!  Breathe deeply!  Say His name – Jesus!  

You will catch that breeze.

 

Sherree Fischer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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