Lord Who Emboldens

I love it when You bring Your Word to life!  There are times when we know something.  We believe it in our minds, but it hasn’t yet traveled that longest distance on Earth — the distance between our minds and our hearts.  Then there are other times when we don’t just know something, we become it… even just for a fleeting moment.

Like today.  I was in a meeting.  Not just any meeting.  A significant meeting at a “kairos” moment — an opportune moment when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action.   It was a meeting You had orchestrated, Lord… for a purpose.

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.”  (Ephesians 4:14-15)

Speaking the truth in love.  You grew me up some today… didn’t You, Lord?  The impact of the words You prompted me to say has yet to be seen.  My heart can’t help but hope that the hearer’s heart will be changed, even as I sense it will take a true miracle for that to happen.  I know You are the Miracle Maker and, with You, all things are possible!  But I got the distinct impression that this whole encounter today was really more about the changes You wanted to make in me.

“Speaking the truth in love” is easy when we know the hearer agrees with us.  But what about when we know he or she does not agree?  What about when their rejection of the truth becomes more than mere disagreement?  What about the extreme, when rejection has real consequences?

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me.”  (Matthew 24:9)

Will I ever be faced with that kind of extreme in my faith walk with You, Lord?  Probably not?  Possibly so?  Only You know for sure.  But either way, You have been gracious to tell Your children “the rest of the story.”  We know from Your Word that such days are coming.  So where are we now — each of us — and where are we headed?  If every “journey of a thousand miles” begins with a single step, perhaps today’s significant meeting at a “kairos” moment was just one of those single steps for me.

The “step” of clearly speaking (advocating) an unpopular truth to someone who has already made up their mind against it?  The step of being so filled with Your love that the unpopular truth cannot be so easily dismissed?  The step of discussing an “explosive” issue with a countenance of peace so contagious that defensiveness is lowered so communication has a chance?  The step of contending for the faith — and the Family of faith — even as the flood of culture threatens to drown them?

I was keenly aware of Your Presence today, Lord.  Keenly aware of the way You were orchestrating the conversation, changing the atmosphere.  Keenly aware that You were doing something in this “kairos” moment that only You can do.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”  (Isaiah 43:1b-2)

We can’t control the outcomes of the significant meetings into which You call us.  We can only control our level ofsurrender to You.  Only You know which 1000 miles we are each destined to travel.  Only You know each step we need to take as we travel the precious path of following wherever You lead.  Only You can move in and through us to accomplish what You desire.  Funny how that is always so much more than we could ever hope…

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”  (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Standing against the flow…

Stronger (more surrendered) today than yesterday,

Abba’s Girl

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