When the Comfort and Joy You’re Longing For Come from A Surprise Source
Comfort and joy have not been what we’ve been experiencing during this Christmas season. And it’s certainly what I didn’t expect when I received a phone call at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night.
“Can I come over? Something furry just scurried across my floor!”
I had told my friend that if she ever needed anything to call.
So she did.
Did I mention it was 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday night? The time when I am already in my jammies, book in hand, in bed?
With no notice, the request was not convenient, which in my life often translates as the Lord’s hand.
For two evenings, Sunshine poured through our home, which has been filled with sorrow for a season. My friend shared her heart for people; the good work she does each day for those who can never pay her. She inspired us with her dreams of helping the homeless. Our gaze was lifted higher by her generous and giving spirit.
If you had asked me if I wanted company this week, I would have given you a definitive “no”. We’ve been sick and are not at full strength. We’ve been wrestling with sadness; struggling to find a smile. And yet, when I said “yes” to another’s need, I found my own need met.
Meeting Other Women Who’ve Said “Yes”
God’s word is filled with women who said “yes” to God.
Sarah said “yes” to going to Canaan with Abraham. (Genesis 12:1-9)
Rebekah said “yes” to leaving her home to marry the stranger Isaac. (Genesis 24:58)
The Daughters of Zelophehad said “yes” to approaching authority about community injustice. (Numbers 27)
Jael said “yes” to hosting the enemy; bringing him down. (Judges 4)
Esther said “yes” to advocating for the voiceless. (Esther)
Mary said “yes” to carrying the Son of God. (Luke 1)
A Commitment Even Without Confidence
All of these fearless women and more said “yes”; obedient to the Lord’s prompting. I’m guessing some of them didn’t feel brave or confident. Instead, they made a commitment to obey their Lord no matter how inconvenient it was.
I can do the same. So can you!
By the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us, we can say “yes” to opportunities to do good works; to serve, love, and give. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (emphasis mine).
Maybe in this space of doing good works, whether we feel like it or not, we’ll be surprised! Maybe in the middle of obeying, we’ll see the invisible hand of God, working in our uncertainties, using the inconvenient and uncomfortable to bring us His comfort and joy this season.
Studying Together Simply
Beginning January 9th, Amy Carroll and I will be leading an online study of our new study, Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World. We’re going to be diving deep. Simply.
Each week we’ll send a link for a Zoom meeting for Wednesday evenings where Amy or I will do a bonus teaching from that week’s passage. Then, we’ll discuss it as a community. We’ll keep it simple but rich!
To sign up, simply enter your email address at the top of this page, and then purchase the study from your favorite bookseller. The links are all there to make it easy, and we hope you’ll join us!
Merry Christmas, Friends! Be on the lookout this weekend and in the week heading up to Christmas, where you will say “yes” to the Lord, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it might be!