But desperation for God is different.
We have seen the panic, worry, and then relief as my little area of the world prepared for Dorian and have waited and waited for what has seemed like days -- so when the storm finally GETS here we are ready!
Praise God, it seems to be staying off shore -- but prayers and mercy -- for those it has devastated in its path. Only the future few days will give us a glimpse. Sad. I am sure those people prayed too and asked God for a miracle and God didn't change its course. I am sure that in those desperate moments -- they did some desperate things.
Back here in Southern Florida when our Northern pals are beginning their first day of school, our schools are still closed, some businesses still closed, and much has been altered -- to make sure we are ready. As we wait.
A dear pal made the comment - "what if we prepared for the coming of Jesus in this manner?" Truth! Big TIME. Reality. One wonders.....
We are all waiting for His return, for that moment when God looks over to his right side and tells Jesus, "go bring my bride home!!"
Desperate people...desperate situations -- seem to get our attention and we do stupid and desperate and degrading things to ease our pain.
And sometimes.... things are done for us and too us -- that it seems we didn't have a chance to say, 'whoa - wait ...but God...'
The past three days have given me PLENTY of time to think and pray. I compared my situation to God waiting on us -- as I put God, in a human type of character, and questioned HIM -- "HOW" he can just sit and watch us at times...be desperate..and yet he knows what will happen on the other side. HE CREATED ME. HE KNOWS ME THE BEST.
In these times of desperation we have to have faith over our feelings.
Faith that no matter what, we will land upright.
Faith that no matter what, God will bring beauty from ashes.
Faith that if our home is compromised, God will provide shelter.
Faith that if our home is shattered, God can restore it.
Faith that if one stands before a judge today and his whole world is changed, God will be right with you, comfort, and provide.
Faith that if one retreats and wants to desperately quit, God will hold and provide and still bring beauty out of the ashes.
Faith that if one has to stop being the enabler, that God approves and will hold you.
Faith that if a couple want to defy the odds and boldly declare they will weather the storm together, that God will protect, provide, and declare His will.
Faith that if another couple can go through another hurricane and still claim that Jesus is Lord -- we should ALL take notice and humble our own selves and wonder -- Lord, what do you need to be believe in...to have faith in over my feelings?
Truly apart from Jesus - there is no satisfaction - even if our house is not destroyed. Do we really declare, "that Jesus is the bread of life?"
Do we believe that, "whomever comes to him -- Jesus -- will never go hungry and never thirst again?"
I do -- but, believe me, I had to stand FIRM over my feelings for the past week and weekend. I hunkered down and binge watched old shows but in between we'd get on our knees as we had to TELL each other to believe in our Faith and not worry about our feelings that were being fed by the news forecast.
Today, there is one or more standing before a judge -- and I pray mercy.
One day we will all stand before that Judge and will Jesus plead mercy for me? For you?
I placed a photo of myself with my grands in this blog.
It reminds me of how we are connected. There is much joy when we get to spend time with them. There is much peace when we are all together because there was some bold faith at one time --that was believed -- where my husband believed in the faith that he couldn't feel.... and he agreed to try and restore something that was broken.
THAT reality -- that memory --is very real and often we are reminded of it -- that because there was prayer and faith over some feelings -- GOD was able to win.
My prayer today is that God wins in YOUR life as well. IJN Amen.
May HE be the bread of life within your heart and may Your feelings not be bolder than your faith.
