precious promises

We're nearing the close of two weeks of evening church services. As a Pastor's wife, I have to remind myself pretty consistently that God has something for me in worship services. I think everyone does. Whether you're the powerpoint guy, the bulletin doer, the greeter, kid's church worker, coffee maker, bathroom checker, singer, or pastor, sometimes we get lost in the duty of "church" and forget we have the opportunity to be the church together in those moments and get lost in what we've got to get done. Stay in the moment. God is after YOU! Not just the people you're serving.

He had plans for me to hear from Him in last night's service.

On our way, my heart was in a desperate state. Questions were rolling and discouragement was settling in to its well-accustomed nook. I sat in the passenger's seat, very quiet. Asking Jesus, "Lord, when? When will  You do something about this? And that? I've done all I can. We're counting on you. And, now, we're at the edge of the cliff on this one. We're desperate."

The word that came through the minister reached into my soul and uprooted fear, disappointment, selfish pride, and laziness. It held those before me and begged the question, "What can I do, Amanda? What more can I do if you will not continue to believe...even in the dark? What more can I do with your little faith?"

It was a soul appointment. A confrontation I'd been avoiding for as long as possible.

I so badly want to do something consequential for Him. And I see what I do as so small compared to what could be done if these shackles were gone. The shackles I so badly need Him to remove.

I heard a promise from Him about the shackles. Years ago. I read some scriptures that confirmed it. I memorized them. And then I kept walking. And the dust and mess of life covered the Words. And I haven't made an effort to unearth them and pound them back into my spirit.

Have I done all I can? I did some things I could. But what have I been doing? Instead of waiting and watching, I can be persistent. I can be on the offensive. I can...

Believe Him. 

Rehearse His Words to me. 

And keep believing Him. 

Maybe you're there today. You've given up on that promise. You're thinking, "If He's going to do it, He'll have to do it." "I don't know what else to do." Or even, "Forget it. It's never going to happen. I'll just get used to the way things are because they're not changing."

They'll never be healed...
That job will never come...
We'll never get it paid off...
He'll never understand me...

Believe Him. 

Rehearse His Words to you. 

And keep believing Him. 

You won't regret it. He promises. 

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these, He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption of the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)