How does God speak to you?

 I think I always assumed God only ever spoke through prayers and His Word, but through a class I am taking on Spiritual Disciplines, I have learned that God can speak through other ways as well. We had to do an exercise where we asked ourselves questions about when and where we heard the Lord and I learned something new (and old) about myself that day. Jesus speaks to me through illustrations. 

So follow me on this... I have always loved a good illustration and love to share them with others, but I guess I just always thought it was my brain's way of processing, not necessarily Jesus' way of speaking to me. I have come to realize it is Jesus' way of taking the truth He reveals to me in His Word and in prayer and giving me a picture to sink it deep into my heart and allow me to share with others. 

In the class I am taking, I've been challenged by some of the girls to put my pictures into writing so that it might benefit others. So, as much as I can, I want to do that - to possibly point someone else to Jesus and His truth through the pictures he gives me to. 

Here is the most recent one that I shared in our prayer letter...

I have this image of a little kid being rolled by a wave; holding my breath, trying to figure out which way is up and trying to stand all at the same time. The worst is standing up only to get hit by yet another wave. As an adult, this can feel like life: getting hit by one wave after another, not knowing which way is up and trying to stand with every ounce of energy we have only to feel knocked back down.

I was thinking of this idea of being rolled by waves when I was reading Psalm 42:7-8. "Deep calls to  deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all of your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the Lord will command His steadfast love and at night His song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life."

Over the last several years, there have been many things that have made us feel rolled by life and when I read this passage I am reminded that He is with me. And it changes my picture from a small child being rolled by waves to sea glass.

Sea glass is a piece of broken jagged glass (usually a broken bottle) that has been rolled over and over by the waves until its edges are no longer rough and jagged but smooth and beautiful (see picture below). 

When I prickle against the difficult things, I want my heart to be reminded to cry out for His steadfast love to smooth out my rough edges. 

Zoo Animal or Wild?

 After seeing animals on Safari (picture to the right is from when I was in Kenya in 2007), it's hard for me to go to the zoo. Even the best zoo seems to pale in comparison to seeing these amazing creatures in the wild. My kids, on the other hand have yet to see them in action so they are enraptured by these beautiful creatures. Yes, a lion is awe-inspiring no matter when you see them, but something about seeing a massive mane rise out of the grasses of the Serengeti will bring you to your knees. 

As Andrew and I were looking at the different animals at the Columbia Zoo this week, we were talking about how the zookeepers feed the animals and it hit me how domesticated these animals actually are. They probably don't really know how to hunt or get their own food. They are fed every day, multiple times a day, every need is catered to in order to keep them comfortable; sounds like a pretty cush life. But here is what they don't have: freedom. No, there are no predators but there is also no running across the Serengeti at full tilt to catch prey. 

So I asked Andrew, what would you rather be: a zoo animal with all your needs met, but no freedom OR a wild animal with all the dangers but complete freedom? If I am being completely honest, I desire freedom but in my heart, I value comfort, safety and ease. 

We are faced with choice: to follow Jesus wherever he calls or ease. Following Jesus feels out of control, dangerous and scary. It is also wild and an adventure beyond where I would ever take myself. The other option is staying in the safety of all I've ever known, be fed 3 square meals a day but never know the rush of freedom. 

Following Jesus full tilt doesn't mean you'll have to move (but it might), it means being in lockstep with him so that when he says, "Talk to that person" or "Give them what you have" or "Stop," you do it because you know that what He offers is freedom. 

I'm making myself a sign for this year: Are you wild or caged? 

I'm not sure about you, but in my heart of hearts, I want to be WILD!