When I wrote my “Jail Break” post in April 2019, I was recalling a conversation I had recently had with a dear friend. As we shared our hearts and more than a few cups of coffee at her kitchen table, I prayed the Lord would give me the right words to inspire her with revived hope and faith for a jail break… but this time with help of the Escape Guide, Jesus Christ.
Little did I realize at the time that she was not the only one who needed a jail break. I also needed a jail break, except that I hadn’t yet realized I was being held captive!!
Did you take some hard hits in 2019? I did, and while the enemy of my soul was unsuccessful in his ultimate goal (to get me to deny my faith in God and turn away from the One who sustains me), he did land enough sucker-punches to have me “tagging out” and sitting on the side lines for a while. A long while!
I was weary of soul. I was saddened in my spirit. I was low in my faith for certain areas and concerns of life. And so I sat; catching my breath, licking my wounds. And the longer I sat, the more comfortable I was sitting in my small-but-known little resting place. My wounds healed, but there I remained in my now familiar and somewhat comfortable (or at least tolerably comfortable) surroundings.
I knew I wouldn’t (couldn’t) sit forever, but I was in no hurry to get back up. And while I sat, perhaps mildly depressed in my self-reflection, the enemy built up bars around me!
Turns out I was actually writing to and about myself back in April! I’m the one who needed a jail break!!!!
We all get sucker-punched from time to time, and when the hits are especially hard, we may need to take a little time to recover. That’s what I have been doing, and maybe you are too. But let us not stay there, seated on the sidelines! And let us not get so familiar with being pressed upon that we forget that we have a Champion Friend who will not only help us bear up under pressure, but helps us through to the other side!!
“Do not be afraid-I will save you. I have called you by name-you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you.
When you pass through the fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you.” (Isaiah 43:1-2 GNT)
Thank God for the turning of a calendar page, for as 2019 drew to a close, a restlessness awakened in my spirit and a still small voice whispered to me “speak to the bones”.
Friend, God has called us (you and me) to a life that is full of purpose, joy and victory! So let us speak to the dry and dead bones in our lives, and let us get back into the game!! There is just too much at risk if we don’t – victories that won’t be tasted, destinies that won’t be fulfilled, lives that won’t be changed by the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ!
“He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the LORD … I am going to put breath into you and bring you back to life.” (Ezekiel 37:4 GNT)
Truth be told, I’m still a little weary of spirit – a little “wobbly” (wobbly-ness circles back to all of us from time to time). And as much as I long for and pursue spiritual confidence, I am learning to appreciate wobbly-ness as well. Wobbly-ness reminds me of my need for a Shepherd, a Shelter from the storm, and a Savior.
As I prayed about “getting back into the game” in 2020, among other things I felt prompted to commit to write 2 blog posts a month throughout 2020. More as inspired, but at least 2/month. So here’s the first. I hope it speaks to you. And I hope you come back to read one or two more (I will publish the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month), especially if you’re also a “wobbly” soul with “dead bones” buried in the backyard.
Not literally, of course! That would be creepy!!
