Giants

Written by cycleguy on November 8th, 2012

Date: November 7, 2012   Time: 4:45 p.m.  Event: Finished reading Undaunted by Christine Caine  Affect: Satisfaction after reading a really good book worth recommending.

Date: November 8, 2012   Time: 5:15 a.m.   Event: Read Zechariah 4: 6-10 as part of my reading through the prophets.   Affect: Totally blown away by the timing and the message God has given.

Christine’s and her husband, Nick, are founders of The A21 Campaign.   While the whole book is good, the latter chapters-especially the one on Facing Giants- is worth the price of admission.  I immediately began thinking of ways to incorporate her thoughts into the situation we have here at OVCF.  I reckon it will help to know her thoughts first. 🙂

When Nick & Christine thought they would be opening their first “rescue haven” for girls freed from sex trafficking, all logic was against them, including their consultants.  But they believed God gave this vision to them so they took the attitude:

DIFFICULT? YES.  IMPOSSIBLE? NO!

To make a long story short since I don’t have the space to tell the whole story, Christine and Nick took a “God-approach” (my words):

#1-HOLD ONTO WHERE GOD WANTS YOU TO GO.  Two of the spies returned from the Promised Land believing God had given them the land. Sure it had giants, huge cities, and seemingly impenetrable walls.  But Joshua and Caleb held fast, even though outnumbered.  They were rewarded for their faith.

#2- SEE THE POSSIBILITIES AND HIS PROMISE.  Not everything we want will be given (I refute the name it/claim it garbage).  But when Difficulty pops up, we need to see more. We need to see beyond it.  Joshua and Caleb did not refute the charge there were giants.  They simply believed God was bigger than the giants.  Sometimes obedience is a rocky road.  We will be tested.  Our resolve and vision will be challenged.  But if we believe God has given us this task, hold firm to His promise.

#3- KEEP GOING FORWARD A STEP AT A TIME.   I hear people in recovery saying, “One day at a time.”  Shoot!  Sometimes for me to keep going forward is one step at a time.   It’s not making it to the end of the day that matters, but making it to the next step. 

#4- PAVE THE WAY WITH PRAYER.   Joshua and Caleb were temporarily defeated by the naysayers (Numbers 14), but if you read ahead to Joshua 1-6 you find Joshua leading the people of Israel into the Promised Land and defeating Jericho without a weapon.  Oh, and Caleb?.   Read Numbers 14.   They trusted God with their future.

Okay…so now where was I?  Oh yeah. Zechariah 4.  But I see I have run out of space.  So that means you can draw your own conclusion as to its application, or you can tune in Monday to see it through my eyes.  And I bet you are waiting with baited breath. 🙂 Meanwhile, I hope maybe some of what I have shared will help you face your giants.

We are having a Men’s Gathering this weekend.  My brother, Rob, is leading it.  It starts Friday night and ends Saturday noon.  I would appreciate your prayers for it.  Meanwhile, have a great weekend. Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

19 Comments so far ↓

  1. Hey Cycleguy,

    I’m cheating here because I’m using my memory of the Bible story and your take on it rather than taking the time to read it for myself right now. For that I apologize. But it led me right to some thoughts I’ve always carried on this general topic.

    I’ve always cringed when I have seen small children in a store or restaurant who were able to win their desires by whining, crying, pouting, etc. I’ve often felt concern in the worst cases that such children will be ill-prepared to face their giants (your words) in the future.

    Some of our giants may be God-sent but with a choice. Others are unavoidable situations such as life threatening illnesses, natural disasters, etc. How on earth will children ever face such tough stuff that requires so much if they have nearly never been told no or faced any unpleasant anything up to that point.

    It seems that facing giants or facing an answer of “no” is difficult enough when we have had the the background to build us up and prepare us for it. Turning to God at just the right times when things tower before us that were not planned in our dreams is tough, but to do it without being brought up ever facing any obstacles or without being shown the blessings of the strength of God, well, I simply can’t imagine it.

    Second thought is that when I see someone face tough situations or people in their lives and they do so in such a way that I see the Lord in them, I am truly blessed and try to carry that with me as a reminder in case I need reminded.

    I hope this made some sense. I’m so very sleepy so I may read it tomorrow and shake my head.

    God bless!

    MS

    • cycleguy says:

      Understand what you are saying MS. I hopefully was not taken as saying that we deny our trials exist or that we can whine, etc and God will lift the burden. On the contrary, I believe He comes along side us and carries us as we need it. Sometimes going through a tough time is what we need, and as you say, perhaps someone will be encouraged by our strength and faith. Hope you got your sleep.

      • No need to post this. Just wanted you to know I didn’t read that into what you wrote at all. Sometimes I read my own life experiences and/or recent observations into things as much as I do what the blogger actually wrote. If I get too far off in the future, chalk it up to that and don’t post. I will be ok with that.

        I finally did sleep. Thank you.

        • cycleguy says:

          MS: I had no trouble with your comment at all. I post comments unless they are off-color or hyper critical of another commenter. I appreciate your thoughts and simply wanted to clarify mine in case there was any misunderstanding. I don’t know who you are (which is fine) but want you to know your comments are welcome. 🙂 Oh, glad you got that sleep.

  2. Jason says:

    A21 ROCKS!!! 🙂

  3. Daniel says:

    I love the expression “baited breath”. It makes for some funny imagery. I will standby until Monday to see how you pull all of this together. Hope your weekend is sublime.

  4. Craig says:

    Had a chance to hear Christine at our church. What God is doing through A21 is amazing.

    God has a purpose for all of us. I am doing my best to get out of His way, be obedient, pray through the fears, and go where He wants me to go.

    thanks for spreading the word on A21 – don’t think a lot of people know the severity of sex trafficking – even here in the US!

    • cycleguy says:

      that had to be quite an experience hearing her speak Craig. I also believe we all have a purpose. If you want to know more about the sex trafficking issue see Jason’s blog.

  5. Betty Draper says:

    I just sent my daughter in Papua New Guinea this book…great read. I got to hear her speak at a Women of Faith conference.

    Those four steps mentioned in the book work for any giant one faces. Good post brother

    • cycleguy says:

      i agree they work for any giant. I am trying to put them into my life. As for hearing her speak, she is possibly going to be in Indy this coming year.

  6. I’ve found the one step at a time principle to be so helpful in dealing with my own anxiety. I’m rarely totally confused about the next step – just worried and unsure about what’s after that.

  7. floyd says:

    Why is it so difficult for us to grasp that our Father has no limits? His power sustains the very cosmos and allows the breath of all things. If we’re in His will, failure is not an option. Tough times are for our benefit, not HIs!

    Love the passion, Bill. I’m praying for you and Rob. God bless.

    • Floyd,

      I think the trouble for me is that sometimes I know in my heart that God has it all under control but my head begins to analyze and over think it. Then there are times when that can work in the other direction. When my heart is just not feeling it, I can sometimes hold on to the knowledge of how He has been there for me and realize that, even when I can’t “feel it” He is there. It helps me to hold on.

      We can’t always grasp it because it is sometimes difficult to wade through the junk to get to the good stuff…even when the good stuff is our very own Father. Part of the aftermath of the fall I suppose??? But you are right!

    • cycleguy says:

      Very true Floyd. could it be we are looking through human eyes? Thanks for your prayers.

  8. Debbie says:

    Thanks for sharing the four giant steps with us. 🙂 Praying your weekend is a blessing for everyone involved.