Feeling Energized

Entry 2: January 6th, 2011

As is likely expected, and accepted with open arms on my part, I am feeling a bit more energized in my quest to grow spiritually with the Lord.  Now, I did not have the 180 degree turn that I had hoped for, but I cannot remember how long it has been that I have done two devotionals/journal consecutively, so at least there is progress.

Today my devotional ( I like Girlfriends in God and other women's devotionals on crosswalk.com) essentially brought out two points to me: 1. that I should be on the lookout for opportunities for kindness (which was indeed one of the items on my fasting prayer list yesterday); and 2. that I should use my "stormy" experiences to take my further.

As I reflect on potential opportunities for kindness recently I am a bit stumped (but of course I wasn't looking recently, now was I?).  I have a former student that would like to get together for coffee and has tried a few times to make this happen but I always seem to have a reason for why I'm not available.  The truth is having these coffee chats takes a lot of energy on my part and I have been very selfish with my energy lately.  When I do meet with this former student, we usually talk about things like her family or her post-undergraduate planning.  However every once and a while I timidly broach on the subject of spirituality (very much frowned upon in my current academic environment) and the student expresses a need to "turn back" to the Lord, but I never push the conversation beyond what I think is both my and her comfort levels.  So, perhaps meeting with her for coffee is another opportunity for us both the extend beyond our comfort zones?  I will add this to my prayer list.

As far as recognizing and utilizing "storms", I'm not so sure.  I suppose this blog may count.  I began this as an attempt to propel me through be spiritual growth.  It has taken me years to identify this need and to be frank I sometimes even while typing this blog think that it is all fluff again.  However, I am currently committed to continuing forward in this venture and hopefully this experience will also help someone in a similar situation.  We'll see, in His time.

Below is the scripture He gave me for today (KJV):

Numbers 17:41-50

But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.

And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.

And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.

And the Lord spake unto Moses saying,

Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment.  And they fell upon their faces.

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun.

And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; and the plague was stayed.


*Two things that came out to me when reading this scripture.  First, Moses' intercessory prayer was not unheard.  Although 14, 700 people died first, his prayers were received.  Secondly, is there a plague (my own or that of someone else?) that I should be praying for?  It this endeavor of spiritual growth my plague or storm?  I pray that the Lord would reveal this to me and that although negative events that lead me to believe that he is not receiving my prayers may be present, I should take Moses' example and continue forward.