I love this picture I caught yesterday right as the wind was turning the page of my Bible. Seeing it moving as if on its own reminded me of the verse from Hebrews: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
What a wonderful afternoon I had yesterday! Truth, I was just shopping by myself in the Avenue (the Shops), but the Lord spoke to me so much and reminded me of so many things. When you're by yourself and you only have your own voice and God's voice to listen to, I find it's easier to hear Him speak. :)
I went there to buy a white belt at Charming Charlie's, but while there, I decided to get in some exercise and I briskly walked over two miles, circling laps around the shops. Truthfully, I felt really awkward at first. Awkward and out of place. I walked past young couples strolling along holding hands. I walked past girls in cute sundresses. I walked past moms with their children. I walked past two girls who I heard behind me talking about me- not bad things but still. I walked past women in short dresses and high heels and past the classy couple in their BMW who were going into the expensive suit shop. I walked past over and over the same people in the same nice restaurants. And there I was in a tank top, capris, and sneakers, my hair pulled back in a ponytail and headband, getting flushed and sweaty and out-of-breath.
That's when I passed two young ladies walking opposite my direction. Two very nice and pleasant young ladies about my age wearing exercise clothes. "Are you working out?" one asked me with a smile. I laughed. "Yes, I am!" I said. She must've seen the determination in my stride. "You go, girl!" the other young woman cheered me on. And somehow, I felt more comfortable then.
It helped me feel so thankful for the cheerleaders in my life- both those who God puts in my life for less than a minute like those two girls and for those who are in my life for years. For all of the people who, though they may not be able to join me in my journey, come alongside me, pray for me, encourage me, care about me and my life and my little victories. But what's more, it reminded me of how even the simplest and smallest efforts we make to connect with people can have a profound effect. That interaction- small and seemingly insignificant as it was- stuck with me all day and motivated me. It kept me going. It was one of the best parts of my afternoon. Never underestimate the effectiveness of the little ways God can use you.
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1Thessalonians 5:11
On my fourth lap, I began feeling the pain and the heat building up in my thighs. Oh, it burned! But I had to push past it. It reminded me of two Scripture passages:
"...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13&14
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." Romans 5:3-10
Life has its ups and downs. Like anyone's life, my life isn't perfect. I have a lot of blessings and a lot to be thankful for, but I still have my difficult days like anyone else. I get anxious, I worry, I get stressed, I have some conflict like anyone else. But it's through the rough patches- through the difficulties of life- that we have to push through and keep running the race that God has called us to run. Because it's through the pain when we want to give up, that we grow spiritually and stronger in the Lord and that character is produced in us.
In my laps, there was a "We're Open for Lunch" small chalkboard sign in front of Macaroni Grill that continued to fall in the strong breeze that was blowing. And every time I passed, I bent to pick it up. Yet in that, the Lord reminded me that even despite our running the race of life and our busyness being driven and focused on what He calls us to do, we should never become so focused that we lose sight of the those around us and the opportunities the Lord places in our path every day to touch people's lives and serve Him. Sometimes we need to slow down and help those along the path of our journey.
I ended my exercising by rewarding myself with Peachwave frozen yogurt- chocolate with coconut flakes (of course coconut). ;) I sat at a table in front of Barnes & Noble with my yogurt and spent some time reading from the Gospel of Luke, some Good Friday reading, and the Lord spoke so much to me through the familiar story of His crucifixion that I had heard dozens of times since I was a little girl. But I read it with different eyes this time. And sitting there, I was reminded that despite everything going on in our nation, I am so blessed and so fortunate to live in America, in a country where I can sit and read my Bible in public without fear.
I ended my shopping expenditure by listening to my favorite hymn "Be Thou My Vision" and to my peaceful Hawaiian slack key guitar music on my drive home. But I was reminded that wherever we are, whatever we do, we can find God and hear His voice in our every day if we only stop, slow down, and take the time to look and listen for Him. May we go about today and every day with eyes and ears open to see Him all around and to feel His presence.
Happy Easter and Resurrection Sunday tomorrow, everyone!
