Often times we find ourselves being so consumed with trying to survive that we, in a sense, forget how to live. We get so caught up in everything happening that we miss the message God has laid so plainly before us. We fight, trying to understand why me and why now that it overshadows everything God has been doing. You’re probably asking, how am I supposed to understand when I can’t make heads or tails of why the place God sent me is failing. Or why it seems God would allow you to get almost done with school and now you may not be able to afford tuition. You can’t make sense of why God would bring you this far and then allow all hell to break loose. Or why He waited until you got ready to retire for sickness to attack your body. Or why He would allow death to show up when your marriage is falling apart? Why God, am I struggling more when you were the one who told me to move? Why God, am I hurting more when you were the one who told me to go? But have you ever stopped to think the hardship you are facing right now, was intentionally placed by God? Has it ever dawned on you that what caused you to stumble was God’s way of intentionally knocking you back to save your life? Have you ever stopped to think that what you thought was for your bad was actually for your good? Yes, you are walking the right path but maybe it came by way of an eager heart. Let me explain what I mean.
How many times did you pray for the place you are, even though God told you no, the first time? How many days/nights did you plead with God for the very thing, you’re crying over that He’d already told you no too? Think about it because maybe you’re in a position like Balaam in Numbers 22, finding yourself on a road and on your ass. (By ass I mean donkey.) See, Balaam found himself in a predicament because the ride he thought would be easy turned in one with a few bumps and a setback because God allowed Balaam’s donkey to stumble. Balaam was mad and told the donkey had he had a sword he would have killed him but what Balaam didn’t realize was falling on his ass (donkey) caused him to live. Numbers 22:32-33 says, “The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.” Baby, I don’t know where you are on your journey but falling just might be the reason you’re still alive. Because had God not been intentional in you falling, you probably would have gotten deeper into some mess that caused you to die prematurely. You don’t have to believe me but read Numbers 22 for yourself and then get up. However, this time do what God tells you the first time.
Lakisha, the Author 