building a boat in the desert

A couple days ago I read a news article about a man in Texas who felt the Lord tell him to build a dam around his house. The article said his neighbors mocked him and thought he was crazy but, low and behold, a flood came and his house was safe. It was the only one unharmed.

I am not sure this article is legit, I mean, you cant believe everything you read on the internet. I, however, want to believe it is. It seems just like something my God would do. It reminded me of the story of Noah.

Yesterday, was the 40th day of my year long (well technically 380 day) commitment to the Lord. I stepped on the scale yesterday morning (even though my usual "weigh day" is Monday) and found that over the course of 40 days the changes have been very slight.

I am not sure what I expected to happen when I commit to do this but I have seen very little physical evidence of all the hard word I have been putting in.

I know that there has been significant change to my heart however, because in the past, seeing such little change might have broken me or swayed my resolve. Yesterday I weighed myself, saw less result than desired, laced up my shoes and went for a run. #progress

Over the past forty days God has taken me on a journey like nothing I have ever experienced in my life. It is not what I expected but it is what I need. As I have gone down this road, the Lord has been beckoning me to quiet myself and listen to Him. As I ran yesterday, I thought of that man in Texas, then I thought of Noah.

Noah had never even seen rain from what we understand. He blindly obeyed and built a boat in the middle of a desert. Not a little dingy. A GIANT cruise ship for with space of at least 2 of every species of animal on the planet.

Can you imagine being his neighbor? I can't even pretend like I would not have mocked him without mercy. I would have completely written him off as a weirdo.

Noah must have had moments where he thought,
"Lord you better not make me look like a fool. All this crazy obedience has to be for something."

On a far less grand scale yesterday, as I ran, I sort of chided the Lord.
"Lord, at some point I'm going to need to see some kind of result here....yeah yeah, I know my heart is changing but I am talking results I can see in the mirror or when I step on the scale. I'm eating rabbit food over here Lord. Do you know how long I have commit to not eat PIZZA?! I LOVE PIZZA JESUS!!!"
The Lord in His great patience and faithfulness reminded me that I knew full well that He was calling me to more. There have been many times over the last 40 days that I have faithfully "obeyed" the Lord to the letter of my commitment, but not one step more.

He gently reminded me as I ran that this whole journey is about being called deeper. It reminds me of the lyrics of the song I posted on Thursday, Good, Good Father.

Love so undeniable 
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As you call me deeper still into love, love, love

Because of the love of God, walking in obedience is never not worth it. The more we are drawn into His love the more we realize He is so faithful and good. He proves His mercy over and over again with a love that is undeniable. 

The more I know of God's character the more I should want to obey Him, even if I can't see what He is doing. I need to get quiet and listen, in case he tells me to build a dam in Texas or a boat in the desert. I want to be able to hear Him clearly and, no matter how strange, I want to follow His leading for me. 

I want to have crazy faith in my Lord.

I want to be steadfast in following Him, because the steadfast love of the Lord never fails.

You are perfect in all of Your ways to us...

Even if I never lose an ounce. :)

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