Something
you really need to learn about God is that He will always do what you least
expect. In fact, I had a seminary
professor who advised, if you want to know God’ will, then think about what you
want and do the opposite. I wouldn’t go
that far; but if you want to make progress on the spiritual journey, you will
only make real progress through hope.
I wrote
earlier in the year about my disappointment with God for not allowing Brian and
me to go to the Holy Land together. I’m
embarrassed about how much resistance I gave to God’s invitation. Just when I conceded to the fact that God may
not want us to go on that pilgrimage together, my husband wins a trip to the
Holy Land and I can go with Him. Of all
the scenarios that I came up with about how Brian and I could go to Israel
together, I can guarantee you that this one never crossed my mind!
Jesus’
haunting words about the people of Jerusalem from Matthew 23:37 expose how sad
our wrong expectations are. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who
kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to
gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and
you were not willing. What are we
missing out on because we are so blind to the people God is sending to us to
teach us about His love and even His love and comfort?
Jesus
makes God’s desire to hold us close so real in the picture of the mother
hen. We don’t have hens around, but the
goslings hatched this spring, and my husband and I have had great joy in
watching them grow up so fast under the tender care of both of their
parents. The mother goose was
instinctively nurturing to her two small offspring. She kept them warm and safe under her
wings. I can’t think of a more
comforting metaphor for how God wants to relate to me. He wants me to feel safe, secure, warm and
loved, as close to Him as possible.
I
want the safety, security, warmth, love and closeness, but I have other ideas
for how He can give this to me. Rather
than allow Him to cover me under His wings, I run after the next greatest book,
product or relationship to meet all my needs.
What
would happen if I simply expected God to show up and left the way and timing
totally up to Him? What if I pictured
myself safe, secure, warm, close and comforted under His wings and, therefore,
didn’t have to worry about everything else brewing in a fallen world that gave
evidence that I wasn’t safe, secure, warm, close or comforted?
The
goose mom goes after her goslings to force them under her wings, but if the
baby won’t stay still, she must leave it to fend for itself in the world. Hopefully, it will come back to its senses
and take its mom up on the offer.
What
about you? Will you let Jesus give you
what your soul needs most even when everything else doesn’t feel safe and
secure? Progressing on the spiritual
journey means seeing God’s love and comfort come to you daily when you least
expect it. Try keeping a list of
unexpected love and comfort from God each day.
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