In October I posted a
blog titled, “Do the Math.� I mention that mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space, and change and that over the course of this
race I want to use those same four categories to define how the Lord cultivates
intimacy with His children. Today I would like to look at SPACE. (to read my blog where I talk about
“change� visit this link: http://juliettesteele.theworldrace.org/?filename=lead-changes)
blog titled, “Do the Math.� I mention that mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space, and change and that over the course of this
race I want to use those same four categories to define how the Lord cultivates
intimacy with His children. Today I would like to look at SPACE. (to read my blog where I talk about
“change� visit this link: http://juliettesteele.theworldrace.org/?filename=lead-changes)
SPACE
the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events
occur and have relative position and direction.
occur and have relative position and direction.
Ever wonder how God operates within time and space? Ever
wonder why He does what He does the way He does it? If you find it difficult to
answers these questions, there is good reason. In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read,
wonder why He does what He does the way He does it? If you find it difficult to
answers these questions, there is good reason. In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read,
“For my thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,� declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your
thoughts.�
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,� declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your
thoughts.�
Well that explains it.
Habakkuk is a great book in the Bible that reveals the truth
in this verse. Basically, Habakkuk finds himself in a conflicting spot. On the
one hand he believes in the power and authority of God. On the other hand, he
looks around and sees evil and injustice everywhere. And so he says to the
Lord,
in this verse. Basically, Habakkuk finds himself in a conflicting spot. On the
one hand he believes in the power and authority of God. On the other hand, he
looks around and sees evil and injustice everywhere. And so he says to the
Lord,
“How long, O Lord,
must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but
you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate
wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict
abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked
hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.� (Habakkuk 1:2-4)
must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but
you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate
wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict
abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked
hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.� (Habakkuk 1:2-4)
Man, I know exactly how he feels. I’m pretty sure you can
identify too. I read an article about the Iron Fist Campaign launched in China
in April 2010. It targets approximately 10,000 women who have more than one
child. A task force was deployed
to seize grandparents, siblings, teenagers and even infants of women who have
broken the one child only law. The relatives are jailed until the women show up
at government clinics to undergo forced sterilization.
identify too. I read an article about the Iron Fist Campaign launched in China
in April 2010. It targets approximately 10,000 women who have more than one
child. A task force was deployed
to seize grandparents, siblings, teenagers and even infants of women who have
broken the one child only law. The relatives are jailed until the women show up
at government clinics to undergo forced sterilization.
How long, O Lord, must
I call for help, but you do not listen?…For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways…
I call for help, but you do not listen?…For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways…
Here’s the thing. God has the bird’s eye view. Where He
positions His children is strategically related to how His Kingdom is invading the
earth. He allows things to happen that will sometimes have us questioning Him.
He is BIG enough to handle our questions and answers us in a way that proves
His authority.
positions His children is strategically related to how His Kingdom is invading the
earth. He allows things to happen that will sometimes have us questioning Him.
He is BIG enough to handle our questions and answers us in a way that proves
His authority.
Since my departure in July, I have found myself positioned
in many different places. From a Haitian orphanage, to a dirty canal in the
Dominican Republic, to herding sheep in Moldova, to a hospital in Malawi, to a
slow-paced Swaziland, to counting crocodile nests in South Africa, to being a
listening ear and soundboard for people in Manila, to helping campaign for
refugees and fair trade while in Hong Kong, to clearing land for a new ministry
site and interceding for those involved in sex and human trafficking in Phuket,
Thailand.
in many different places. From a Haitian orphanage, to a dirty canal in the
Dominican Republic, to herding sheep in Moldova, to a hospital in Malawi, to a
slow-paced Swaziland, to counting crocodile nests in South Africa, to being a
listening ear and soundboard for people in Manila, to helping campaign for
refugees and fair trade while in Hong Kong, to clearing land for a new ministry
site and interceding for those involved in sex and human trafficking in Phuket,
Thailand.
I have seen, heard, done, traveled, walked, prayed, talked
and learned A LOT. I am learning what it looks and feels like when the Lord
positions His royal priesthood. When I think about the places He has positioned
me, sometimes I am flat out blown away, sometimes I’m left scratching my head,
and sometimes I’m crying out to Him, questioning His Providence. Yes. It’s
true. I question the Lord. However, I never want to stay paralyzed in a place
of inquisition, instead, I will anticipate His answer…whatever it may be… and
allow it to propel me forward.
and learned A LOT. I am learning what it looks and feels like when the Lord
positions His royal priesthood. When I think about the places He has positioned
me, sometimes I am flat out blown away, sometimes I’m left scratching my head,
and sometimes I’m crying out to Him, questioning His Providence. Yes. It’s
true. I question the Lord. However, I never want to stay paralyzed in a place
of inquisition, instead, I will anticipate His answer…whatever it may be… and
allow it to propel me forward.
I am asking the Lord to “invade my space.� He is quick to
respond. He is already orchestrating my move from Southern California to
Georgia. After being away for almost a year, I was looking forward to settling
back home with my family, friends, and my ocean. However, the Lord has
different plans for me. And I recognize this as a strategic move on His part.
So, although it is going to be difficult to return home just so I can pack up
and leave again, my heart is postured to say “Yes, Lord. If it breeds deeper
intimacy with you, then please, invade my space.�
respond. He is already orchestrating my move from Southern California to
Georgia. After being away for almost a year, I was looking forward to settling
back home with my family, friends, and my ocean. However, the Lord has
different plans for me. And I recognize this as a strategic move on His part.
So, although it is going to be difficult to return home just so I can pack up
and leave again, my heart is postured to say “Yes, Lord. If it breeds deeper
intimacy with you, then please, invade my space.�
In what areas is He invading your space? Is your heart
postured in such a way that you will receive His full embrace? Or do you find
yourself with arms crossed and a heart hardened to His beckoning call? Are you willing to let go of what you
think is “right� or “how things should be� and instead delight in Him, the
giver of every good gift? Sometimes it is difficult to surrender our dreams and
desires. But it is through the testing of surrender that proves the posture of
our heart. And we know that we serve a gracious and loving God that wants to
give us more than we could ever ask or imagine for ourselves. If we would only
allow Him to invade our space.
postured in such a way that you will receive His full embrace? Or do you find
yourself with arms crossed and a heart hardened to His beckoning call? Are you willing to let go of what you
think is “right� or “how things should be� and instead delight in Him, the
giver of every good gift? Sometimes it is difficult to surrender our dreams and
desires. But it is through the testing of surrender that proves the posture of
our heart. And we know that we serve a gracious and loving God that wants to
give us more than we could ever ask or imagine for ourselves. If we would only
allow Him to invade our space.
