Divine Rearrangement

I was recently reminded of a time in my life where the landscape of my heart and soul were rearranged. Prior to this divine rearrangement I was unsatisfied with my life and my simple Christianity, I knew there had to be more.

In my thirst I cried out to the Lord asking for His rain, fire, wind and flood. I did this with an unpretentious understanding that He would come and bring something fresh. What I didn’t realize was that it would rearrange my entire life.

When we think of the rain of God—we picture Him showering us with His love, the fire of God is pictured as His intense presence, the wind—His Spirit flowing through us, the flood—an abundance of refreshing.

That’s very poetic, but in all reality when those four elements arrived they overwhelmed everything I knew, and when they left I was rearranged. Rearranged for the better of course—and in the end that’s all that really mattered.

I was reflecting on hurricanes and tsunamis, or storms of any kind—after their initial devastation the landscape, to say the least, is rearranged.

Most times we don’t understand why hardships are allowed to interrupt our life—but what I do know is—God is constantly good, and always has a beautiful purpose for divine rearrangement.

Even the simplest most sought after situations bring rearrangement. Take marriage for example—the young couple so excited to finally live together, embark on their new life and suddenly reality hits—they have to learn to live their life in a whole new manner. It’s no longer about one person, but about selflessly giving your whole self to the person who just invaded your space! Now life is rearranged.

Or how about having a new baby? The couple has hoped and prayed and imagined how wonderful this new precious life will be. And yes, this baby is the most perfect gift. But truth be told—this tiny, adorable child has many needs! And life as you know it is divinely rearranged!

In all situations it’s our heart that matters. We must keep a soft, pliable heart towards God. Embracing the good and the bad—seeking His divine, sovereign purpose—even in rearrangement.

Please be encouraged knowing that if God be for you who can be against you!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3

God Decides How Much We Can Handle

Do you ever get the idea that God believes in you—more than you believe in yourself? Regularly, right? Well for me, it seems I have this revelation quite often.

The first time I caught a glimpse of this truth—was at age 24. I was in the middle of heartbreak—dealing with marriage issues, when my brother tragically died. I went to my Pastor and talked to Him about my heartaches. I vividly remember telling him I couldn’t handle one more hard thing in life. I asked Him about a scripture I thought I had heard that said God would not give us more than we could handle.

“But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

My pastor and I talked about the scripture and prayed. I recall leaving his office feeling a little lighter—everything was going to be okay—God was not going to give me any more than I could handle.

What I didn’t realize was that I’m not the one who decides how much I can handle—God is.

Within a couple of months after my conversation with my pastor—my two year old daughter suddenly died.

Wow—God knew I could endure way more than I ever thought.

I have come to the realization that God has faith in me. Not just a little faith either, He has an abundant amount of faith in me—and you.

God believes I can do the impossible—sometimes I try to tell Him that I can’t do the things He’s asking or expecting from me, but He doesn’t listen and just keeps believing. Continually allowing me to face life circumstances that I would—in and of myself—cower from.

I say “God—I can’t.” He says “I know you can’t—in your own strength—but in Me—you can.” Then I say, “How” He says, “Abide in Me and let Me be your strength.”  “Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you” “Hide under the shadow of My wing, make Me your dwelling place”  “Don’t look to the left or to the right just set your focus on Me”

Sounds easy enough, but the reality is—its not easy at all. But I do have to admit it has gotten easier over the years. It’s not easy because of one small component—self-will. Once we learn to relinquish our self-will, trusting God becomes a lot easier. Once I stopped being lord over my own life—it all changed.

I’m working whole heartedly on consuming and living this truth—that if GOD be for me, NO ONE could be against me.

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

That’s such a bold statement! No one—can be against me or you!  Not death? Cancer? Jail? Heartache? Sickness? The world? Bad guys? My past? Nay-sayers? Betrayal? Lies? No one? NO ONE!

If God has faith in us and says we can do, or face the impossible—then guess what?  We can do and face the impossible. Our strength comes from Him—as we draw near to Him, abiding under the shadow of His wing, keeping strict focus on Him—we can do the impossible—even overcome our own self-will.

Please be encouraged knowing that when—not if—God asks the impossible of you—the only way you can fail is to disobey.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

“For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint,
and I know that I will not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:7