“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Could It Be?
A friend and I were lamenting today about how we are tired of the fires. I told her I wish it were like it was before the fires had ever happened because I’m not coping as well as I like to, but then an image came to mind about how I should probably be responding now instead.
Could it be that God has something better in store for our town? Could it be that our prayers for revival and salvation of those we love are on the cusp of being answered and that Redding will lead the way? Could it be that God will restore what the “locusts” have eaten? I don’t have the answers, but I know that I must trust. I must trust that:
*God is sovereign—Psalm 68:20
*God’s ways and thoughts are higher than my ways—Isaiah 55:9
*God sees all—Hebrews 4:13
*God can and will restore as He sees fit: “Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again;from the depths of the earthYou will again bring me up.You will increase my honorand comfort me once more” (Psalm 71:20-21).
Today is one more day after the fires. It’s one day closer to wholeness. Could it be we need to trade our small “teddy bear” for the larger one Jesus has waiting for us?
“Father, I don’t know why the fires have happened and continue to happen. I do want to trust You by exchanging the “small teddy bear” for the larger one You have in mind. Please forgive my failings through the storm and help me to always have hope and to praise you more and more (Psalm 70:14). Amen.”
We don’t have the big invasive Carr fire, but AGAIN surrounded and threatened earlier.. (S OR) so we’ve spent months off and on (mostly on until the last couple weeks) in the smoke. Thank God the fires were kept away from our community.. I so hope and pray that we one day make an end of summers of smoke! The last 2-3 yrs I was in the Redding area, it was the same. We look for the good that God will provide to follow these trials!
I am reminded of the many times God has rearranged His people in the bible, Both the Old and New. And He’s still rearranging us. I belong to Him and He has my permission to put me wherever He wants me. Praise God for the adventures.