Battle Cry

Until yesterday, I had not had a real, meaty quiet time since my last post on March 21. (see below) Honestly, I’ve been afraid to hear what God has to say to me. So I’ve floated on the surface, reading the devotionals in Open Windows, but never really diving in.

A few days ago, I woke up with an old Boy George song playing in my head. “I know you miss me, I know you miss me…” What on earth? Then I had to smile. It was God, inviting me back. He has to use extreme measures with me sometimes. (!) I mean, come on… if you have to use Boy George to get my attention, I am really tuned out! (Sorry, George! I really did like your stuff in the 80s!)

So, after Boy George and an awesome experience in Sunday School (more on that later), and a fresh surge of Spirit, I was ready to open my Bible again.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Oh, great. “Here we go again,” I thought. But God stopped me and asked, “What is a trial?”

I thought of a courtroom. There is an issue to be proven. Witnesses are called. Testimony is received. It does not seem like a fun time to me. Yet a trial is essential to prove that something is true.

In this trial, this hard time of my life, God is so abundantly gentle and unconventional. He does not begin by asking me to prove myself: instead, I see God proving Himself to me! He calls witnesses to my mind and their testimony reminds me of His truth and proves His faithfulness and His provision. How amazing is that? And somehow along the way, in God’s gloriously un-mathematical, logic-defying process, my own faith is proven. I persevere (sometimes after a rest!) and I mature a little more.

I must come to the conclusion that I will never be able to figure God out. I think I see Him taking me one place, but instead He shows me a road I’ve never known or expected to be there. Indeed, His ways are above mine. He is my Captain. I will follow.

Today, in my heart and soul, a fresh battle cry rings out: onward!