Will I not act?

Remember this post from last month? The post where I was so discouraged? God is so tender in the way he deals with us. He knows I needed to be encouraged, still need encouragement, and he faithfully sends it my way.

Just after I posted, my pastor here preached from Ezekiel 37 , the passage about the valley of dry bones. Ezekiel was a lot like me. "And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” (verse 3) He didn't want to tell God no, it was impossible, and yet, he didn't quite have faith enough to say yes. But God is a God of hope. "Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost. . .’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves. . . .And you shall know that I am the LORD . . . And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live” (verses 11-14).

God spoke to me- I can make them live again too. There is no circumstance too hopeless for me.

Then, reading through the book of Isaiah, I found it again and again. "For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another" (Isaiah 48:11)

Last Friday, we went to a Hillsong concert. Surrounded by thousands of Christians, I listened again to the story of Gideon. "And Gideon went out in the strength that he had" said the speaker. "the strength that he had". The words resonated in my heart. Gideon wasn't perfect, he didn't have it all together, he was frightened and doubted himself. But God used him to bring about change and accomplish his will. Again, I was encouraged- God can use me in my weakness.

But then, as we sang, I was confronted with something. God whispered to me, 'this isn't just about me encouraging you. This is truth'.

You see, I had stayed stuck with the same feelings as Ezekiel- "only you know Lord". Could he act, could he change my students and their families? Without a doubt. But was I believing that he would? Not truly. But that evening, thanking God for encouraging me yet again, God pushed me to look at my own lack of faith. "would I say it just to encourage you? This is true of who I am. Will I not act?" was what sunk into my heart.

So, here I am. "Will I not act?" God asked me. So, I wait. Trying to wait in faith. I want to see God in action, want to see his mighty power. Maybe it will continue to come slowly, unfolding step by step. Maybe there will never be one moment when I say "ah, finally, God showed up!". Because, honestly, life is full of miraculous moments we don't even recognize. And God is always here. But, I have his promise- he not only can act. He will. He is. He is here.