Making Connections

Dave and I recently decided to read through the book of John together. Each Sunday we read a chapter and talk about it. I am sad to admit that I have never read through John before and that I have never really studied the life of Jesus. Kind of important don’t you think? I am just excited to be getting started now and with my husband (that is so fun to say!).

It was just about two years ago that I started to really dive into the Bible. I had done many “bible studies” before, but often found my self struggling for connection and interest. The first time I got really excited about what I learned from His word was when I was in a small community group and we began working through a book called Understanding the Bible in 30 Days. I was hooked, however still not disciplined to finish it all (maybe I should go back and start over). Anyway, for the first time I began to connect with the people of the Bible. I began to understand how much I was like them and how not so different their lives were from mine. It was amazing. Over the next year I would continue to study the Old Testament and learn about the Israelites. If you have been blessed as I have by their story, you can say with me “I am an Israelite.” I have been rescued by God, trusted Him fully and then turned away in disbelief. I have wondered in more than one “desert” for way too long only to discover that if I had just realized my sin and deep need for God, that perhaps the suffering would have been so much less. But I am stubborn and chose to not remember. Thankfully, I have community to remind me and my times of wondering are much shorter!

In our first two chapters of reading John I was so curious to learn more John the Baptist. I knew a bit about his ministry: that he baptized Jesus and that he was killed because of what he preached, but that was about it. I was still having trouble connecting. It was this past Sunday that I made the connection that John the Baptist was the son of Zachariah & Elizabeth (the older couple who couldn’t have kids and then did). And this meant John the Baptist was Jesus’ relative (not exactly sure how). Elizabeth is the relative that Mary visited when she was pregnant. It was on that visit when Elizabeth’s baby “leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:41) upon Mary’s arrival. How cool is it that even in the womb, John the Baptist knew the Messiah! YES – I had made my connection!! All I can say is God is really into the details!
Oh wow, so this is why I write these posts...in this moment I am humbled to say and share with you that God revealed to me just now one way I am created in His image…I am detailed oriented.

Last night I was blessed to listen to a sweet friend share her story in front of hundreds of people. As she spoke, she shared about a community circle she was a part of that had learned to celebrate everything together, even the small stuff. For me, seeing my detailedness as a characteristic of Him is a small victory, well worth celebrating. Thank you Father for sticking by me, even when I doubt!