Willing Like Gideon.

For a reason that is still a mystery to me, the Lord has been bringing me to the story of Gideon again and again for several weeks.  (In fact, I can barely open my Bible without flipping to Judges 6.)  I have been trying to summarize the story of Gideon, hoping that looking at the big picture will help me discover why the Lord is being so persistent.  Gideon is not depicted as a man of great faith in this section of Scripture, though he is listed in the Hall of Faith.  But "faithful" is not the most fitting term for him in this story...I think that he could best be described as "willing."  And I'm almost certain that the Lord wants me to comprehend this attribute about Gideon.

I've been catching glimpses lately of the differences between the future that I have been planning out for myself and the future that the Lord has planned for me.  There is much more potential in the latter, which I know can only be achieved by submitting my future to the Lord and being willing to endure any hardships and discomfort that come with the process...the opportunity of being able to bring glory to God is far greater than any suffering in this world.  It would be easy to just sit idly by as time passes, enjoying the comfortable life that Casey and I have been blessed with...but it is impossible to grow if you don't ever take a leap of faith.  It would be easy to get wrapped up in the drama and stresses of everyday life on earth...but it is impossible to please the Lord without being in touch with His heart, which is not focused on the drama and stresses, rather on His creation and revealing His glory to it.

Probably the best part of Gideon's story is that Jesus appeared to him.  In the Old Testament.  Before anyone was expecting Him to appear.  He was not in the earthly form that He would take on later, of course...but He was there...calling Gideon to be obedient and to trust Him.  Just as He does with us today.  It makes the Old Testament seem not so distant.  

"Then the Lord turned to him and said 'Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites.  I am sending you!'" --Judges 6:14. 

Still learning...