Relishing The Unexpected!

“Relish” is the right word… isn’t it, Lord?  In one sense, a relish is something we put on food to add flavor.  In another sense, relish means to enjoy greatly.

Both meanings fit You, Lord… like a glove!!!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”  (Psalm 34:8)

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”  (1 Timothy 6:17)

That’s what I love about this Grand Adventure of Life with You!  There is nothing rote or routine or boring about You!

Like what happened today.

I was on the phone with a dear sister-in-Christ — dear to me, dearer still to You.  We both showed up to the phone call expecting a different outcome.

But then You showed up, Lord… BIG TIME!  And You did THE UNEXPECTED!

We had come into Your Presence with pure hearts.  (As pure as they can be — by Your Grace — this side of Heaven).  We had no agenda other than to hear from You.

We asked You to speak… and You did!

We asked You for clarity… and You gave it!

We asked You for direction… and You made our next steps clear!

And You gave us something we didn’t know to ask for:  COURAGE.  Courage to take a step — yes, even a leap — of FAITH.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

You reminded us of the “Step of Faith” required when Your people first entered the Promised Land so long ago.

“As soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord — the Lord of all the earth — set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap… the Jordan [was] at flood stage… Yet as soon as [the priests’] feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing… all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry land.”  (Joshua 3:13,15-16,17b)

There’s so much that could be missed if we just skim over this passage.. isn’t there, Lord?!

They were entering the “Promised Land” — the land You, Lord, had promised them!  The Almighty God Who always tells the Truth — who IS the Truth — and Who never breaks a promise!  

The Jordan at flood stage must have been an imposing sight.  In the natural, a formidable —  no, an insurmountable — obstacle.  Yet You told them to cross.

Without a bridge???  Carrying a heavy and sacred ark that You, Lord, said they couldn’t even touch without dying on the spot???

What would they have missed, Lord, if they had not stepped into the water?  More importantly, what did they gain?  An Unexpected experience of Your Awesome Power, through an up-close-and-personal MIRACLE!  (With many more to come!)

Today, we stood at the edge of another Promised Land.  We saw the flood waters.  And we wondered:  “Where is the bridge?”  Until You showed us!

You are always The Bridge… aren’t You, Lord?  The way over, under, around or through any obstacle we may face in Your service.   “Jesus answered, ‘I am The Way…'”  (John 14:6a)

Today, we took a Step of Faith.  Even now, the flood waters are receding.

We know it… by faith!

Because You did The Unexpected, Lord.  And we are both relishing it… and YOU!!!

Awestruck,

Abba’s Girl

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