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When Your Eden Becomes Your Egypt

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When we think about the relationship between God’s chosen people and Egypt, almost without fail our minds fall to when God sent Moses to rescue them from their place of slavery. But, what we sometimes forget is that their time in Egypt wasn’t always bad.

There was a time, when they first entered the land, that it was a place of salvation and reconciliation. It was their Eden in a world that had fallen victim to a great famine. It was the place where brothers were given an opportunity to repent for past mistakes and a father was reunited with a long-lost son. It was the right place for them to be…at least, until it wasn’t.

So what happens when the place we once called Eden becomes our Egypt? What happens when the place we know God called us to no longer holds vision and passion…but instead feels like a weight that you know you must cast off before you can move forward to a new promise? How do we keep from losing our minds and becoming completely ineffective?

I’ve found 3 things that have helped me in those times:

  • STAY ENGAGED - God still has you there for a reason. Keep doing what He called you to and don’t allow yourself to sit still and just wait.
  • STAY ENCOURAGED - Surround yourself with people who know your heart and your new calling who will encourage and pray for you during your time of transition.
  • STAY ENAMORED – Don’t lose your intimate love for God. Press into Him…now more than ever or you will find yourself disillusioned and discouraged.

Have you ever been in that place of transition? What helped you make it through?



Written by on March 14, 2012 and categorized under Impact, Individuality

Patience for the Promise

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Patience may be a virtue…but it is far from my greatest skill. Years ago, there was a study involving kids and marshmallows. The kids were told they could either eat the marshmallow -or- if they waited until the adult returned, they would be rewarded with a second marshmallow. The study was meant to establish the effect of patience had on success.

Needless to say…I would have eaten the marshmallow…second one be darned.

However, what I am learning as I follow God to the promises He has spoken over my life is that patience is very often a requirement. Think about it:

  • Abraham had to wait 25 years
  • Joseph had to wait 13 years
  • David had to wait 20 years

Think about God’s chosen people in the desert. He had already promised them the land that lay before them…all they had to do was fight for it. But, in Exodus 23:29, God lets them know, “I will not force them out of your way in one year. Otherwise, the land would be deserted, and wild animals would take over.”

Often, God calls us to a period of waiting before we see our promise.

  • Perhaps we are not ready
  • Perhaps those we lead are not ready
  • Perhaps the promise is not ready

Whatever the reason, we must trust that God will do what He said He will do…whether it takes a day or a lifetime.



Written by on March 12, 2012 and categorized under Impact, Individuality

Is Jesus Really Enough?

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Have you ever heard someone say, “As long as I have Jesus, that’s all I need”? While the sentiment is nice, I’m not sure how Scriptural it is. In fact, I would say that, if one is not careful, it can become a very dangerous motto.

I think about when God was creating the world. He would speak something into existence, look down, and finish it off with a hearty, “It is good.” That’s true in every instance…save one. There is one time when God looks down and is less than excited about the job He has done…one time when His, “It is good.” is replaced with a resounding, “It is not good….FOR MAN TO BE ALONE.”

Loneliness is contrary to the very nature of God…who is, in Himself, three-in-one (Father, Son, Spirit) God’s very nature is one of relationship. If we are created in His image, would it not stand to reason that we, by OUR very nature, need others?

Even in the time of Jesus’ ministry, he surrounded himself with 12, was close to 3, and intimate with 1. When he sent his disciples out to try their hand at ministry, he did not send them alone. Multiple references are made throughout Scripture about the power of relationship:

  • a chord of three strands is not easily broken
  • woe to the man who walks alone and falls
  • do not neglect the assembling with other believers
  • the world will know your are His by the way you love one another

Yes…emphatically, Jesus is all you need to be saved. But, he is NOT all you need to live the fullness of life that he purchased on the cross. You need others. Others need you. We need each other.



Written by on February 29, 2012 and categorized under Individuality

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