Word of God Speak

I have got to tell you... I can barely contain myself as I sit to write this.

Wednesday evening, I spent with my interpreting mentor. We were going over scripture for the service coming up this week. Specifically, Matthew 11:28-30. It's a well-known couple of verses:

"28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

It's beautiful in English. But, the problem then becomes, how do you SHOW it in American Sign Language. What does it MEAN? We had several translations of the bible out on the table, and were reading each one and discussing it.

When I got home, I continued the investigation - primarily for the word "yoke". I understand the whole "binding together two oxen with a wooden neck-harness, to enable them to do together the work that can't be done alone", but - do I really want to SHOW a wooden neck harness? Me and Jesus - harnessed neck to neck? No, I don't think so...

Long story a little shorter, it was very late (or very early, depending on your perspective) when I went to bed... but I had a thirst to dig a little deeper and understand a little more. One of the last things I said in an email just before I crawled into bed was "How I got here (in my spiritual journey) is a mystery to me".

I woke up Thursday morning, pretty exhausted but with a sense that "OK, here we go again. God and me in a little one-on-one, in-depth instruction time". In other words, the reprieve I have had from His active "stalking" is done. It's time to get back to work. Oh boy. Here we go. Hold on!

Thursday evening, I was due to go to a meeting - and had planned a little "mental health time", which means I had scheduled the sitter for a few extra hours, so I'd get a little breather from the responsibilities of motherhood.

The meeting was (unbeknown to me) canceled, so I had yet a little more time. I wished the beautiful spring weather we'd recently experienced had continued, but no, it was snowing. If it were warm, I'd have gone to the church to sit beneath the beautiful stand of oak trees and continue my bible investigation. (I had brought my three translations, and my current study book to pass some time)

With no other viable options of where to hang out with three open bibles, I decided to head to the church anyhow. It is really convenient, as it is less than a mile from my home. It is peaceful, and the grounds are beautiful. But, the car would be cold - I'd have to run the engine from time to time for heat.

As I pulled into the driveway - lights. "YES!!" I cried aloud! "Band rehearsal!" I'd forgotten. I gathered my bibles, study guide, unsweet tea and headed to the classroom where I'd been the night before.

I could hear the band as they practiced the songs we will sing on Sunday. As I lay my bibles out on the table, I thought, "Hmmm... maybe this would be a good time to transcribe the notes I'd written in my older bible, into my newer one". So, that was the task at hand.

Flipping through Genesis, Exodus, I underlined in the new what I had highlighted in the old. I transferred dates and notes I'd inscribed. Not too far into it, I noticed a theme. I wondered how many times I had underlined the phrase "Do not be afraid". A LOT.

The next phrase I came upon was Joshua 1:5 - "I will not fail or abandon you" OK. Got my attention! I continued to underline, copy, and transcribe. The verses that really struck me in my core, I also copied onto the sheet of notebook paper beside me.

Next for the paper: Micah 7:7 - "But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will certainly hear me" There lies my appropriate response. I will look and I will wait. My God WILL hear me.

I made it through the Old Testament and into the New. When I hit Matthew 13:11, I put my New Living Translation aside and pulled out the old King James Teaching bible I was given over a decade ago. The NLT had used the word "secrets" (of the Kingdom of Heaven). The KJ used the word "mysteries".

I came full circle to my statement from the night before - "a mystery to me". The foot note defined 'mystery' to mean "a purpose or plan hidden in the heart of God until the appointed time of Divine disclosure to man".

And that is when I knew. "Word of God Speak" - Not just an upcoming song to review for Sunday, but a plan for the evening.

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will certainly hear me." And He will speak.