Wendy's Video Summary - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

(For those of you not participating in the Chronological Bible reading with Wendy Pope, please visit my other blog, “Pondering In His Presence”. Thank you.)

Hey everyone. Today was an exciting day in our reading. Wendy had several things that jumped out at her. She’s so thankful that whenever we pray and ask God for that nugget of truth, He provides it. She’s so thankful for the way we inspire one another in our journey and spur each other on to dig deeper in God’s Word. She encourages everyone to comment. Don’t be afraid. The one comment you share might be the one thing someone needs to hear. Don’t be nervous. Even share it anonymously if you desire, but let’s share together.

Some of what Wendy read today reminded her of something she and her husband were talking about after church on Sunday. They were talking about how things used to be before they had children. They used to take what they called, “100 lapers”, as they were really big race fans. That means they would watch some of the race, then take a nap for 100 laps and then come back and watch the end of the race. They talked about other things they did “BC”, before children. They then thought about how much richer their lives are now with children. As she read today’s reading, she sort of thought Job was doing the same thing.

Over in Job 29:2, he said, “I long for the years gone by…” Then, in verse 7 he said, “Those were the days…” She recalls her parents saying that, “Those were the days”. She never thought she would say that, but she has said it in the past. Job was reflecting back on the way things used to be. Sometimes when we do that, it’s great to reflect, but sometimes we get lost and get, what Wendy calls, "crossed-I’ed". We get fixed on what it used to be like for us. Back when I could do this…or I could do that…I, I, I. We get "cross-I’ed". Job does the same thing here. Wendy counted Job saying “I” 16 times, “me” 9 times and “my” 7 times between verses 7-25. Job was really thinking of himself. He had no idea what God was doing in the heavenlies. He had no idea what God had planned for him. He was self absorbed and wallowing in self-pity. Wendy realized her heart has the same condition too many times. We can get filled with PRIDE. Wendy said it’s hard to realize that life isn’t all about us. It’s not about whether we get to have a nap Sunday afternoon. It's not about whether we get to sit and watch that Hallmark movie. It’s not about whether we get to do something, or if we feel our rights are infringed upon. When we get “cross-I’ed” we forget where our focus should be and that’s on Jesus Christ.

Now, Wendy does have great sympathy for Job, as he went through a lot. He lost his family, livestock, money, children, health. Wendy can understand how you can get there. She wants to make some application to us.

One day Wendy came across a very special verse that encourages her when it feels like things are hard and not going the way she hoped. Her friend Kristy shared this verse with her. It is Isaiah 43:18-19. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” This is God speaking to Isaiah about what He was going to do with the remnant that was remaining after captivity in Babylon. “Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Our friend Job thought he was in the desert. He had no idea that God was about to do a new thing for him. He could not perceive it. Sometimes we can’t perceive the new thing and when we can’t perceive it, we must believe it. God says, I’m doing a new thing in you Wendy. I’m doing a new thing in you Susan. I'm doing a new thing in you Karen. I'm doing a new thing in you Jodie. I'm doing a new thing in you Lori. We have no idea what is going on, but we have to believe it.

Recently Wendy had opportunity to watch one of her favourite Pastor’s on television, Tony Evans, on a program called “The Urban Alternative.” Wendy just loves him because he speaks the truth. He said, “When God shakes up things in the invisible realm it’s because He wants to show something to us in the visible realm.”

God was shaking things up for Job and shaking out the visible things. What poured out of Job today was pride. God wants to do a new thing, but He’s got to shake up some old things so He can do a new thing. God wants to show us something.

Wendy prays we will keep our eyes open so we can perceive the new thing…and if we don’t perceive it, that our hearts are open to believe it.

(All thoughts transcribed from Wendy's blog to aid those whose computers are not capatible to view these videos.)