This is the title of our pastors' message series for the last few weeks, and it has been very timely and appropriate in our lives as we take this adoption journey. Today was no exception.
After months of work to make it happen, our home study was completed and approved, and we have the opportunity to be the parents of D and K. Praise God! Within 24 hours, we began to see the hand of the devil at work in our lives, trying to discourage us. We became worried and fearful, which is just what the enemy wants. He would like nothing more than to see us abandon these kids. Really we had two options, trust the clear call that God has placed on our lives or tuck tail and run, basically telling God that we don't believe He has the power to accomplish His will. We choose to stand on faith.
But still I was afraid, steeping in sinful worry all weekend. Last night, I told God that I needed another sign from Him that we were still on the right path. I told Him that I was committed until He told us otherwise, but that I needed Him to calm my spirit and reassure me. I told Him I wanted to hear His voice the way my pastor, Kari, did when she argued with Him about whether or not He was really calling her to minister to the people of India, but that I would appreciate any clear word or sign from Him.
Well, as God does, He delivered in a mighty way today! As I was making breakfast for Garin, my flesh was saying, "Are we insane? What are we doing? Are we going to take the risk of shelling out thousands of dollars and fall in love with these kids only to stand before the judge and have him break all of our hearts by saying no?"
On the way to church this morning, the autumn leaves were magnificent. I don't think I've ever seen a fall scene that was so beautiful. I said (I talk out loud to God in the car.), "God, if ever there was evidence that you are the creator of the universe, this is it. You are awesome. I wish I could just fall down on my knees and magnify your name right here. Just two weeks ago, on the way to church, I told Karl that it didn't look like the leaves were going to be pretty this year because it was getting too late and we hadn't seen much color. I was just too impatient. I guess I was trying to rush you."
And then, in perfect clarity, He whispered, "Then don't rush me. Why do you want to rush me?" It was like a lightning bolt between the eyes! He made the leaves beautiful in His time, and He will accomplish His will in our lives in His time.
I called Mom and Dad and told them about what had happened, and they shared with me that their financial investment in this adoption is also an act of obedience to God's call and that they are also unwilling to be diverted from God's plan. That was a huge feeling of responsibility lifted off of my shoulders, as I realized that I wasn't deciding for them, but they were also making the choice to stand in unity with us to accomplish God's vision.
I had already received more than enough of a sign for me, but there was more! Worship was so very Spirit-filled. We sang about how our hope is in Him, and there was such an atmosphere of praise. Then Kari and Alan spoke about fearless faith. Today's sermon was about Jairus and how he risked everything - his status, his financial stability, his reputation - when he asked Jesus to heal his daughter because he was a leader in the synagogue, and the Jewish leaders were plotting to kill Jesus. In fearless faith, he risked EVERYTHING....FINANCIALLY...and God delivered because of his faith. Lightning Bolt Number 2!
Later in the sermon, Kari and Alan said, "With God, all things are possible," and then they had us all repeat it with them. Now, how can you proclaim that and not live it?! Lightning Bolt 3!
An interesting point from the sermon was from Malachi 4:2: "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings..." The Hebrew word for "wings" is the same word used in Numbers (chapter 15?) for "tassels". They were referencing this because the bleeding woman in the verses we were studying in Mark wanted to touch the hem of Jesus' garment, the tassels, to be healed.
When I got home, I looked up Malachi 4 and read. Then I thought I'd just like to read about God's power, so I looked up "power" in the concordance. I saw a reference to Ephesians 1:19. Well, I never read one verse, so I started at the beginning of the chapter. Although I've read these verses a million times, I didn't make the connection when I turned to them, but there was Lightning Bolt 4! I think it's important to note here that I am not a believer in the open-and-point approach to Scripture. I don't advocate picking a verse and then finding a way to make it mean what you want it to say. This is just one of those times when God's Word was right on the money and consistent with His promise, and it was an additional assurance of his sovereignty.
Ephesians 1: "1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined
according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. 15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
God is so faithful and so caring and so very generous in meeting our needs! What we ask within His will, He provides abundantly. I could not at this moment be more certain that He will be glorified because of and throughout this wonderful adoption journey we are on together!
My rheumatologist put me on a new medicine, Plaquenil, yesterday. I hear great things about it from Mom and my friend, Penny, who have taken it. However, so far all it's done is make me feel nauseous and woozy. They say those side effects wear off once your body gets used to it though, and if it's as great as I'm told, it will be well worth it. Who knows? Maybe I'll lose some weight in the meantime!
Working hard....
Every time we cut out a cookie, Garin grabbed for the remnants and scarfed them down...
The "beautiful" finished product...
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
