Faith Stands at Flood Stage

CAUTION

I had a little wooden sign that hung over my door as a young girl.  It was a gift from my aunt.  It read:

Please be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet.

I am still carrying a construction sign that reads:

Pardon my mess, but Jesus isn’t finished with me yet.

I’m still sporting some orange cones and yellow tape that can be seen surrounding the manhole of my heart.  As you cross my way you may have to circumvent the construction signs.  Maybe you would ask who that was in the hard hat as you walked by.

I would whisper back, “Jesus, did you know He was a heart carpenter too?”

WORK IN PROGRESS???

I’m so glad that He knows the destruction this heart has seen.  Still He willingly has and still uses the nails and boards of grace, love, and mercy to restore it.  His goal is to restore it so it can love the way He created it to.   He has been tearing down the old and creating the new for a while now.  At first healing was quite uncomfortable.  Now it is something I have grown accustomed to.

The thing is that I believe I am still a work in progress, yet He insists that it is time for me to take down the caution tape and move on.  He is telling me that if something needs repair He will be there to fix it.  We are in this tussle about crossing the Jordan. Part of me likes it here in the wilderness.  With all the sand and manna.  Or do I?

Redemption is more than just payment for my sins.  It is payback in good that overcomes the evil in life.  The good that erupts by working all things together for good because I love God and I am called according to His purpose.  And who wouldn’t be ecstatic about that?  I have prayed for redemption, and now I am at the open door of ministry.  I peek through the door seeing that there is a river to cross, and I meet fear.  Fear has reared its ugly head.  I am word yielding and hanging on to my shield of faith.  Though its time to take down the signs of construction I find it is also time for the words at the end of this bit of wisdom:

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13 KJV

So having done all I am standing.  I’ve come to learn that sometimes making progress is in ceasing activity and learning to wait on the Lord, and though I see the swelling river at flood stage my hope is in Him alone to get me into the promised land. So I am standing back waiting on Him to lead me across.

WHY WAIT?

I bet this finds you standing at a door in your life.  I bet this finds you facing fear.  I bet the river is at flood stage and you are questioning how you are going to get across.  Beloved raise that shield of faith and stand!   Hear the words Moses spoke to the people prior to crossing the Red Sea while they waited on the Lord.

¹³ But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. ¹⁴ The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

We all know what happens after that.  The waters parted just like they did for Joshua and the Israelites after years of wandering in the desert.

If we wait on Him, Beloved, when we walk through the midst of the waters He will be with us.  That is a promise.  Isaiah 43:2

Before you know it we’ll be in the promised land.  ❤ Melinda