Markers and Memorials

In Joshua 4:2-9 when the Israelites cross the Jordan, they take stones to lay as memorials. They were told to tell their children about them later when they asked, "What do these stones mean?"  The response was in verse 7: "tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.  When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.  These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

I've often picked up this practice ever since my days of Wayland Rec and Rejoice Teams.   Those summers were 10+ weeks of amazing church camps, where day after day I could see God working in my life and the lives around me.  They were days that I knew I would want to remember. And so I started collecting my markers/memorials, usually a rock, from where ever we were traveling whenever God moved. They were small and pocket sized, not usually the boulder that required me to mount them on my shoulder, like the passage says. :)  Sometimes, I've purchased something in the area instead to serve as a reminder as well. Usually I put the date on it and a single word reminding me where I was when God moved.  My children also serve as markers for God moving in our lives. Previously, I told you that Jody was never supposed to have children after his accident. Their birthdays serve as the Lord's memorial that He can do great things and every year our family remembers that.  Beth Moore also suggest making a spiritual time line to track his movements. I journal and usually have the dates where God moved, but now looking back through this blog I actually think that this is my marker, my memorial. (memorial: something, esp. a structure, established to remind people of a person or event.  "monument built as a memorial to remember past historical events; civil war, 9/11, etc.)  Often I have huge breaks from my last entries and rarely do I write unless I feel lead to. God fully impresses upon me what I'm compelled to write.  It moves me to write it and now I'm especially thankful that I have this to track such events. It's quite humbling to look back through these blog posts.

One of the greatest post to read over recently was September 25, 2012: A Great Distance Away. WOW! I remember that book, that chapter, page still dog-earred and where I was sitting. I can still remember the power of God's spirit as I read that chapter I referred to in the earlier post. I remember the whisper..."You're going to want to remember this. I'm doing something a long way off. It is going to happen. Today I'm simply showing you. Read what you read again. Remember it. Be patient and wait." Choke. Back. The. Tears. 

Goodness. You're probably thinking all this chick does is cry. Well, when it comes to the Lord moving and actually doing something in my life visible and clear, you would be right. I'd even venture to say that if it doesn't move you in some way when God acts on YOUR behalf.....are you alive and tuned in to know that IT IS HIM!!  Even when it's not clear, He still amazes me. Even when I'm told to wait. Ok.....I know you're timing is PERFECT. There's not a thing I can do for myself now that He can't do better and simplified. Because He's God. And He can do anything. 

He parted the red sea. He made a donkey talk. He stopped the Jordan. He calmed the storm. He died for me. AND ROSE AGAIN. He defeated death. Satan does not win. It is clear to me that my trust is firmly in the One &  Only Savior. Who calms the storm in me. Raises me to life and has many plans for me and through me.  To be much more than I could have ever planned for myself. Oh Jesus, move and use me. Spirit take the lead and calm my spirit to hear and be reminded that you alone already know all the markers and events that I will ever write, journal, or pick up another rock over. Jesus, you already know them. Quite my spirit, my racing mind so I can hear you, who whispers your plans to us. To me.

 I think next time I pick up my memorial, I'll say: "Thank you for this marker. This memorial. Thank you for acting before in Joshua and thank you for acting now in my life. Thank you for already knowing I would have this marker. Thank you for living in me and using me. Use this memorial to bring yourself glory when others ask! I keep this memorial, this marker to remember that you move not only throughout the bible but VISIBLY throughout MY life. These serve as my account that the Lord ALWAYS showed me the next step, the way to go and it required FAITH. Help me step out again and always trust you."

Revelation 3:7
1 Thess. 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.