What a day!
What is God doing?!
Amazing me. That’s what He’s doing.
I got up a little slower and later than usual today. My husband and I had an impromptu babysitting request the night before to watch our 7-month-old twin grandchildren. Who could pass that up? It was so fun to be with them, and I was up much later than usual. So, this morning, I didn’t get up before dawn—as is my habit—to read the Bible and pray. Rather, I got up after dawn, enjoyed a cup of coffee and quietly rested in His presence.
I wasn’t too excited about getting ready for church (fyi… those are the days that you really need to go). I needed to go early for dance practice, and stay late for dance practice again, and attend a shofar class.
Shofar? Yes. You know. Those long twisting rams’ horns that strange people blow like trumpets for who knows why. (Just kidding. I do know why, but maybe you don’t, and therefore it’s strange to you.)
A couple weeks ago, the head shofar blower invited me to a class that he would be teaching about blowing shofars. Why would I go? Well, he encouraged me to come, so I thought I’d pray and consider it.
Praying about the class, I received no direct yes or no answer. So, I began to reason in my head. I’m so busy. Do I want to blow the shofar? I need to focus on what the Lord has called me to do, and that’s dancing. Choreography is so time consuming and I hardly have time for that. Why would I add another thing to my list of things? There are many things that I’d like to learn and do, but I’ve got to focus on the call on my life. Hmm. Doesn’t sound like I should go.
BUT…
This shofar blower has taken time to learn to dance and has joined in our group dances. It wouldn’t hurt to learn about it. At least then, I’d know enough to be able to tell others about it even if I don’t end up blowing the shofar. I did play the trumpet in high school. God didn’t say no.
Sometimes, God doesn’t give direct answers. Rather, He holds things out to us and lets us decide for ourselves. He enjoys watching our response… and dare I say, our reasoning.
During my high school days, I not only played the trumpet, but was also on the marching band flag team. It was a flag team reminder from the Lord that gave me the courage to start waving flags in church several years ago. It was the waving of the flags that eased me into dancing for the Lord in church, which is what He’d called me to do a couple decades ago. As I think about things, it was also always my desire to be part of the swing choir—the high school group that danced. However, I never got that opportunity. I was taller than all the boys back then, and I was one of very few who could play piano. I always got stuck playing the piano for the team that danced.
Back to today. Dragging my feet, I headed to the shower with my phone for some music. A few songs by Kari Jobe played. No offense to her or any of her fans, but she’s not my favorite. However, the songs that played actually kind of fit my melancholy attitude and they even began to lift my spirits. So, on I went, a little more enthusiastic about the day.
To describe the celebration (what we call our church service) would take too long. Let me just say that we have been humbly and fervently seeking God’s deeper presence. Today, through words of encouragement, worship dance, prophetic art, a message about the season we are in on God’s calendar, reflective time in His presence, talk of upcoming events, and dance practice, it was a wonderful day. That would have been plenty.
The shofar class began with about a dozen people or more—a good number for our small but growing congregation. The blowing of the shofar is extremely meaningful, holy, and powerful. It’s not for everyone! But there is a stirring within me, and I am surprised at some of the thoughts and inspirations going through my head.
I’m excited to read through the handouts and see where all this leads. As I doubted whether I am one to blow the shofar, Holy Spirit reminded me of a dream from several years back.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014, dream. I drove to the mailbox to pick up mail. I pulled up just past the boxes. As I stopped, got out and went to the boxes, another vehicle pulled in front and around me, parking in the opposite direction. It was three people from my church. They smiled and waved but stayed inside their parked vehicle. I wondered if they were waiting to talk with me or if they had recently moved and were also going to pick up mail. There was a fresh layer of snow on top of the already frozen snow, on top of and around the mailboxes. I saw a pair of keys on a key ring that were stuck frozen on the side of the mailbox kiosk. Wondering if my husband had left them there, I pulled them out. There were also boxes and packages on top of the kiosk. I wondered if someone had forgotten them there. When I opened the mailbox, it was full of packages. As I pulled a few out, I found two more separate keys in the mailbox indicating additional packages in the larger overflow mailbox. I was putting the packages into a pile as I pulled them out and realized that I would need to take this stack to my car and come back for the rest.
Through this dream, God was showing me His desire to lavish His children with gifts. While the dream took place during winter (a dormant season of life), it is God’s joy to give these gifts (already mine/yours) for future seasons. In His timing, He delights to open them up before us and surprise us. I love that this dream was also recorded on the first day of a new year. Do you know that We are nearing the first day of the new year on God’s Hebraic calendar? That day, Rosh HaShana, begins one week from today. It also coincides with the Feast of Trumpets, or the blowing of shofars.
Yes, God often has a specific call or anointing on our lives. That’s where I allowed myself to get stuck. I have heard this saying, “Do what you’re called to do.” Yes, that’s good. Also, “Stay in your lane.” Your ministry might be hindered if you expand into too many areas. Yes, that can be true. However, through the dream and through this crazy season that we are in, God is showing me that he has many gifts that we can take from—many of which will enhance the call He’s given us.
This is another good saying, “Don’t get stuck in a rut.” God is incredibly creative and loving. He delights in our discoveries and the using our talents to bless Him and others with. He’s a good, good, Father.
So, I was blessed by the class and wonder where God might lead me with this new information. I’ll take one day and a time as He unwraps His gifts in front of, and for me.
I gathered my belongings and got in my car to head home. And what was the song that came on when I started my car? “Your Nature” by…. you guessed it, Kari Jobe. I am moved at how much this song speaks of my life. Maybe it speaks of yours as well.
Are you in a dormant season? Wondering what God has for you next—if anything? He is good to all. Keep seeking Him and He will open up the heavens for you. He is so, so good.
“Your Nature” Lyrics
https://youtu.be/tmNN4A9rjqQ
You bring life to the barren places
Light to the darkest spaces
God, it’s Your nature
You bring joy to the broken hearted
Hope to the ones who’ve lost it
God, it’s Your nature
There is no desert that Your streams can’t run to
There are no ruins that Your love won’t make new
You tell the wasteland
That it will bloom again
Cause it’s Your nature
You will restore the years that shame has stolen
You keep the promises that You have spoken
I know this wasteland will be whole again
Cause it’s Your nature
You bring peace
To the war inside us
Speak and all fear is silenced
God, it’s Your nature
You bring joy to the broken hearted
Hope to the ones who’ve lost it
God, it’s Your nature
There is no desert that Your streams can’t run to
There are no ruins that Your love won’t make new
You tell the wasteland
That it will bloom again
Cause it’s Your nature
You will restore the years that shame has stolen
You keep the promises that You have spoken
I know this wasteland will be whole again
Cause it’s Your nature
Sing out o barren woman
Sing out o broken man
Stretch out your hands believing this is your promise land
Break out of disappointment
Break out of hopelessness
Stretch out your hands believing this is your promise land