Lifting My Eyes

Nothing about typing my innermost feelings on the internet seems normal. Or rational. But then again, when have I ever been rational, or normal, for that matter?

So, shut the car door and buckle your seatbelt, because this is going to be one heck of a roadtrip. One heck of an irrational and abnormal roadtrip.

You see, God is funny. An "I'm going to keep ringing your doorbell, because I know you're home" kind of funny. Praise Him for that. Praise Him for chasing after me like the crazy person at the e-cigarette kiosk at the mall. 

No, I don't smoke. No, I'm not interested. Really, I'm good. 

Listen, I'm not buying a fake cigarette for a problem I don't have. 

But, if you're up for a good ole' fashioned barter, I've got some kids that we could discuss. I could totally learn to develop a cigarette problem. I kid. Kind of.

Don't we all avoid those people like the plague? I look every direction to avoid eye contact. I walk through the jewelry store to avoid conversation. I work to avoid them entirely. And that my friends, and by friends, I mean 2 family members reading this, is how I've been treating God. Like the e-cigarette man at the mall. Don't you judge me.

I think God was finally over it....His patience with me, running on fumes. I had missed so many opportunities that He resorted to Defcon 2. 

No more games, Sarah. No more excuses. No more time. No more waiting on someone else. Pick up your cross and follow Me. The time is now.

Please let me be completely honest here. I mean, a complete raw honesty. My response...

Really? I stood up to an entire congregation and revealed my deepest secrets, struggles, and pains.

I started a ministry to serve families in our church.

We lead a newly formed Sunday School class. 

I act like a crazy person in front of children for VBS.

Can there even be a more selfish person on this planet? Good night.

Then, He regulated. And I'm talking reg.u.lated. Mount up.

Sarah, what have you sacrificed for Me? What have you given up? Where am I in all of this? Lift your eyes. It's time to step out onto the waters.

So, friends, that's exactly what we're going to do. Pray for us. God is in the process of rocking our world. Pray carefully, though. You've been warned. He just might cause your world to shimmy, too.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2