Hesitant When Called

One of the revelations I enjoyed about Esther was taking the time to notice that she hesitated when her calling came a knockin. I am by nature massively hesitant to make decisions one way or the other and fret over making the wrong one. I was relieved to see one of the heroins of the Bible pausing and momentarily refusing the role that lay in front of her. As we discussed Esther's calling this week I realized that it is normal for most of us to have this weakness and in and of itself that is not a sin. The sin comes in if we stay in that state of indecision and don't rely on our ALL KNOWING Heavenly Father to help us make a decision that He already knows the outcome to and has the wisdom to direct us into His perfect will. When the greatest struggles of decision come as they most certainly will into each of our lives we have to test ourselves and see if we are making our decisions out of "convenience, earthly comfort, or carnal pleasure," and as Beth pointed out take that critical moment to (like Esther) make the Godward decision and not the man-ward decision. I once heard a quote that when you can't see God's hand trust His heart and that goes along perfectly with our study (note from my previous post that the name of God is absent from the book, but God is most definitely NOT absent). Trust what His word says about Him and His character and not what our limited mind and feelings are allowing. I may feel He isn't listening, but His word guarantees that He is. I may feel alone at times, but His word assures me that I am never alone. I may think He is denying me an answer, but that is not Truth that lines up with scripture. Every time you and I are tempted to believe our experience over our God I pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to mind precious words of scripture that penetrate us with the knowledge of who our God is and what His character looks like and we can wipe away the images and thoughts in our head and replace them with the HOLY TRUTH! I want my moments of destiny to be met with the resolve of a complient Esther and to do that I need to have more of His Word hidden in my heart. I think I'll start with this one: Psalm 119:37 "Turn my eyes away from worthless things: preserve my life according to your Word".

Do you love your Bible?

I have a heart for Bible study; not just any study, but it seems my heart quickens for Beth Moore studies. I don't consider myself a groupie (if that is even a bad thing), but a found wanderer. I read the Bible for years and it was just that -- a time of reading. I never knew what I was missing! I want everyone I know, but more importantly every woman I know to stop reading and start understanding. There is nothing special about me - in fact I feel rather inadequate when it comes to study. That is what draws me to Beth. Where I read through a passage and don't think to ask the question she stops me and asks and allows my unfocused mind to clue in on miraculous details of God's Word that make me know and love Him even more. For example we are studying Esther and I never noticed that the name of God is not mentioned in the book. The entire book is a lesson in God's providence and His unseen hand. I don't know about you, but I for one have had many times in my life where God seemed from my human perspective to be absent. God is as intentional in what He doesn't reveal as in the things He does. When I am in the throws of a study I am excited to pick up the Bible and delve in...when I'm not my interest wains. It is my heart's desire to impact the people in my world, and to see us being more real with one another. We spend way too much time trying to be impressive to each other... See what a good housekeeper I am, or a good mother, or a good wife, etc. etc., and far too little time praying for one another and asking the true questions.. How is your walk? What is on your heart today? and What can I do to help? I want to know more about the things God is working on in the lives of those around me, and share more of what is going on in mine. So the next few entries will be dedicated to sharing the lessons from Esther since that is where God has me right now. I hope my excitement is contagious -- I hope the awe of things revealed draws you to sign up for the next Bible study you can find because I know there are lots of good ones out there and all that really matters is that you are excited to study God's Word and that you are finding more of Him each time you pick it up. I also pray that you know His will for your life. Seek Him and His will will find you!!!!