Part 1 came quickly. God had been rolling the ideas around for a few weeks so the telling was easy.
I don't really want to write part 2, though. Part 2 is the middle. Part 2 is the section where I admit fault and weakness. I'd really like to just go ahead and write Part 3 because that's where God helped me together put(weird grammar, I know. Read part 1, you'll get it).
I can't tell you word for word what the ladies said this weekend because I don't remember everything and well, I wouldn't say it as good as they did. I'd love to grab coffee and show you the pages of notes with the phrases I jotted down but each one of them have the same word.
STAY.
Just typing the word, I am cut again. And, I know. You're probably wondering what is going on in my life that is allowing this word to cut me and change me but maybe this time, maybe for this next few minutes, you open your heart to the idea that this word could be for you too. So just pause, take a breath and let the word simmer.
STAY.
It could be relationships, jobs, ministries or communities you are in and they are just messy right now. Preferably, you would tap out and be on your merry way. Let's be real and admit that there are some seasons where God might be asking you to stay and you really just don't want to. But you don't understand, it hurts. I know. I do. And honestly, just so we're clear. Sometimes you should go. But what if we just asked God first? That's what Jesus did right? In the garden, remember? The cross was going to hurt. His heart was going to break, His friends were about to let Him down and He asked God if there was any.other.way. (Matthew 26:39) and then He stayed. Knowing pain was coming, He stayed. You may be in a toxic place and you may need to leave. Your season might be done but can we just agree to ask God first?
So, we get to these seasons where it just seems like it would be easier to give up. Oswald Chambers says we get to these places where, "We'd prefer to choose the scenery of our sacrifice". RUDE.
This weekend, we were reminded of people who, through strength of the Spirit, did hard and seemingly foolish things and God was glorified. (1Peter 4:11)
But like, what if?
What if Noah had grown tired of building a boat in a bone dry desert?
What if Moses had just dropped his arms because I imagine that got really exhausting?
What if Esther would have fled at the idea of Hebrew annhilation?
What if Paul would have closed up shop after the first beating?
God built amazing things through people that stayed.
God gave amazing grace through Jesus, who stayed.
"If you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down off that cross". They shouted at him. (Matt. 27:40).
Through the staying and the breaking on the cross, God built something amazing.
He built redemption.
He built a way to take us from garden fallen to grace forgiven. From weary slaves to the holy saved. From wanderers to worshippers. From entering to Promise Land to holding His Promised Hand.
Remember the puzzle from part 1? If you tap out or give up until God is done building in your season, you might never get the pieces(or truth) you need to together put what God is doing in your life.
It's worth it. Scripture promises this in Romans 8:18. Something beautiful is coming. His glory is coming.
STAY.
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