Today in my team devotional book I read Genesis 12:1-8
"Then the Lord told Abram, 'Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.'
So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed him, and Lot went with him, Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth - his livestock and all the people who had joined his household at Haran - and finally arrived in Canaan. Traveling through Canaan, they came to a place near Shechem and set up camp beside the oak at Morch. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.
Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'I am going to give this land to your offspring.' And Abram built an altar there to commemorate the Lord's visit. After that, Abram traveled southward and set up camp in the hill country between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. The he built an altar and worshiped the Lord. "
For most of us girls reading this we meditate on the first verse that speaks about leaving the comforts of our country/home for another, because that is in fact what we have done. But, today that is not what got my attention. It was more towards the end, the part about the altar in verse 7 and 8.
"Then the Lord told Abram, 'Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.'
So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed him, and Lot went with him, Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth - his livestock and all the people who had joined his household at Haran - and finally arrived in Canaan. Traveling through Canaan, they came to a place near Shechem and set up camp beside the oak at Morch. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.
Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'I am going to give this land to your offspring.' And Abram built an altar there to commemorate the Lord's visit. After that, Abram traveled southward and set up camp in the hill country between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. The he built an altar and worshiped the Lord. "
For most of us girls reading this we meditate on the first verse that speaks about leaving the comforts of our country/home for another, because that is in fact what we have done. But, today that is not what got my attention. It was more towards the end, the part about the altar in verse 7 and 8.
I don't know if Abram used this altar for a burnt offering, but I am imagining that He did. As we all know the Lord used to require a burnt offering. Usually the finest lamb, fortunately Christ took this place and we don’t have to anymore, however He does want our hearts. Sometimes I wish I could just give Him a lamb and save the risk of lying flat on his table, heart completely exposed to whatever He wants.
What I have learned this far is that Christ is calling me to a place of pain. He is wooing my heart into brokenness. When I first realized what He was doing I was completely resistant and fearful. As the Lord beckoned me to his side one of my favorite passages came to mind, Hosea 2:14-17:
“But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her out into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from captivity in Egypt.
“In that coming day,” says the Lord. “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’ O Israel, I will cause you to forget your images of Baal; even their names will no longer be spoken.”
Part of this brokenness process has involved me having to lay down the promises Christ has for me. Though he has promised me beautiful things in life I have to lay down my crown, my rights, for the love of my King. I like to compare it to having a child. Often at baby dedications you hear the pastor recite to the proud new parents the meaning of dedicating their child back into the hands of God. That this gift of life that was given to them, ultimately belongs to Christ. The Lord has given me such gifts, not babies, but things that are just as precious to me at this point in my life, but he is asking that I give them back to Him. Though His promises will remain, I have to learn to give up my rights to them.
Sometimes I just want to scream at God, “Aren’t you finished with me yet! Cause I want to be finished with you!” I get so warn out, but my heart cannot resist the Lord, I feel his pursuit and hate my resistance. I belong to Him.
So here I am in Africa trying to make the best altar possible; loading all of my dreams, one on top of the other, ready to light the match at his signal. What a scary process. It breaks my heart, but I do it for the joy that is set before me.
Christ knew all along He would have to die for us. He knew that he would lie on the altar. He feared it, but He did it for the joy set before Him.
What I have learned this far is that Christ is calling me to a place of pain. He is wooing my heart into brokenness. When I first realized what He was doing I was completely resistant and fearful. As the Lord beckoned me to his side one of my favorite passages came to mind, Hosea 2:14-17:
“But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her out into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from captivity in Egypt.
“In that coming day,” says the Lord. “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’ O Israel, I will cause you to forget your images of Baal; even their names will no longer be spoken.”
Part of this brokenness process has involved me having to lay down the promises Christ has for me. Though he has promised me beautiful things in life I have to lay down my crown, my rights, for the love of my King. I like to compare it to having a child. Often at baby dedications you hear the pastor recite to the proud new parents the meaning of dedicating their child back into the hands of God. That this gift of life that was given to them, ultimately belongs to Christ. The Lord has given me such gifts, not babies, but things that are just as precious to me at this point in my life, but he is asking that I give them back to Him. Though His promises will remain, I have to learn to give up my rights to them.
Sometimes I just want to scream at God, “Aren’t you finished with me yet! Cause I want to be finished with you!” I get so warn out, but my heart cannot resist the Lord, I feel his pursuit and hate my resistance. I belong to Him.
So here I am in Africa trying to make the best altar possible; loading all of my dreams, one on top of the other, ready to light the match at his signal. What a scary process. It breaks my heart, but I do it for the joy that is set before me.
Christ knew all along He would have to die for us. He knew that he would lie on the altar. He feared it, but He did it for the joy set before Him.
1 comment:
You are so awesome. I love how you not only try to take of orphans, but that you are willing to dive into pain.
Mommy and I love you and are cheering for you!
Post a Comment