Too much light...

Back in the day during Jesus time people used olive oil to light their lamps (Exodus 27:20). If you are like me, you have probably never used olive oil to light a lamp. Once I did a little research, I discovered using olive oil in my lamp would drive me crazy!!! Olive Oil only produces enough light to reflect on the step you are standing on. Nothing in front of you and nothing behind you would be able to be seen. Not to be to American here, but um… I need a light house. I need to see into the far distance. I need to see all that is in front of me, beside me and behind me. I am a planner, so, if I am driving down the road and I can’t see the deer 20 feet in front of me how would I know to slow down or even stop. I mean really a flashlight would be way better then Olive Oil. Did you read that? ‘I need’, ‘I need’, and ‘I need’. Olive Oil is just like God and His enlightment/ provision. What I mean by this is God reveals a little bit as we go. He allows us to have the ‘free will’ to choose which direction we want to go, but he only sheds enough light on those options. Once we choose and step forward, then he will shed the next bit of light and on and on. I like most of you scream, ‘But God I need to see all my options and what will happen if I head down this path or this path.’ God knows that if he shed’s too much light we would not be able to handle it, just like we were not able to handle all the ‘knowledge’ we received from the ‘tree of knowledge of good and evil’ in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3). Honestly, the snake made that fruit look amazing! ‘“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.’ Eve had all her options in front of her. She already knew what was down path # 1; she was already living on path #1. The snake revealed to her what would happen if she chose path #2 ‘your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’. Unfortunately, she was shed to much light, deception, and she choose path #2. A path that all of creation has suffered from. Proverbs 3:6 tells us, Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.… Back to the deer in the road… I am traveling down the road and 20 feet in front of me is a deer in the road. I cannot see it, but I am trusting God to direct my path…. You and I know that if I can’t see it I won’t be able to slow down, honk my horn, or swerve. Therefore, I will surely hit it…Guess what 15 feet in front of me is another path. I am holding my lit olive oil lamp looking at my options. I can either continue down path #1 or move to path #2. So, what should I do? I pray Proverbs 3:6 and I ask God to direct my path. I tune out the worldly noises and I listen for His still steadfast voice so that I know I will hear his voice clearly. Once I hear Him, then and only then will I choose my path. (*note from Kevin) God has not called us to comfort, he has called us to trust and obey despite our comfort level. He cannot direct our paths if we are not moving. So take a step, and let Him direct as He so majestically does. This is what we are doing as a family, and I have to thank my beautiful wife for pushing me to regain the faith I had when I first trusted God with my life. I now am challenged daily as he directs my path leading this family. And I challenge every person to ask the questions I have had to ask myself daily. What can’t I trust God with? Why? How BIG is this Living God that I serve? Have I limited Him in my thinking? Why? READ, PRAY, LISTEN, WORSHIP

While joining a group of women in a bible study this week I couldn't help but be drawn to a passage of scripture where a women who did not know the Lord decided to 'Listen' and take a leap of faith. I can see an image of a two story home made with branches and leaves. From the second story window over the cities wall hung a red rope. I invasion this rope being bright red all the while knowing it was more than likely dull and well used. This very rope was hanging from Rahab’s window. The Lord sent Joshua and his men into the city of Jericho to spy out the land with doing so they meet a harlot, Rahab. We don’t know how Joshua met Rahab but what we do know is that Rahab choose to trust the Lord of Joshua’s even though she did not know who this God was personally. She and the people of Jereicho had heard about how the God of Joshua had brought his people out of Egypt and had dried the seas in order for them to cross safely. In chapter 2 of Joshua it says that she believed that ‘neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.’ Courage is the very word that God had spoken over Joshua and his people. And the Lord said, ‘Be strong and of a good courage’… these words were spoken 5 times throughout Joshua 1 & 2. These are the words that brought Rahab and her family to believe in the God of heaven above and in earth beneath. These are also the words that I believe God has been speaking to me and my family over the past several months... to be strong and courageous. Kevin and I have been praying over our little family specifically about our next season in life. I don’t know about you but seasons can be exciting and somewhat scary. So, I am choosing to take Rahab's and Joshua's advise and ‘Listen’ to our Lord and to be ‘strong and courageous’. We ask that you join us in prayer. Pray for God to speak clearly, for there to be no confusion (God is not the author of confusion- 1 Cor. 14:33), and for God to give us a direct path to our next season/step in life. Also, pray for us as a family to be still and 'listen' to our God. READ, PRAY, LISTEN, and WORSHIP