This weekend as Donnie was preparing for his sermon, he reminded me of something I had learned in the course of this Bible study. I started scanning through my notes on the chapters of the books of the Law, and as I was looking, I inadvertently began reading snippets of entries I had made here. I wrote about how I knew that God had led me to start this study with you. That I felt renewed and strengthened like never before. That I felt hollow when I had to spend time away from it, and that when I got back to it again, my spirit would awaken with joy all over again.
I sat there (in the dark, at my kitchen table) reading those words with tears running down my cheeks. There have been so many obstacles to maneuver these last man months, and no shortage of battles to fight. And while I have been able to write a post here and an entry there, I have missed the total immersion that we had when we first started out. I seem to have been caught up in figuring out my new life, while neglecting the thing that gave me the perspective I need to go forward at all.
No wonder I have felt burdened and exhausted! And I have also felt that too much time has passed--that readers have forgotten about the study anyway. That, "Why would anybody want to follow someone who can't even get her act together?" Does any of this sound like the voice of the Lord to you? Me neither.
This weekend I felt my Heavenly Father saying, "Hey remember how close we were? Remember how strong and loved you felt when I was in your heart and life every day? Remember the joy?" Oh, how I love Him. The voice of the Lord is so sweet and full of grace--something I need in abundance! He doesn't accuse or condemn. As I sat there reading and remembering, I felt Him speaking to my heart again. "It's time you started this up again. No more delay. No more excuses. No more pity."
So, by the strength of the Lord alone, we will be digging into the Scripture once again. I don't know if you are there, or who you might be, but I'm jumping back in anyway. I've already finished my notes on Ruth, and will be posting them here tomorrow. It's a great one for a new start--4 chapters, one per day. So go ahead and read up, and I'll meet you back here next time.
Love, Anna
Comments