Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Ps. 34:8 (NIV)
Recently after a season of praying and seeking the Lord for
direction, I had a nudge in my spirit to plan a retreat. It was not a mandate from God. Or at least I don't think so. More, it was a divine "want to."
As I prayed about it, many questions of how to proceed
plagued my mind. Where would the
finances come from? How could I afford
to advertise? Where should I have it?
How could I afford a meeting room? (Many
were upwards of $400 a day.) I had no
budget. Just a "want to."
As I stepped out in faith (over my head really!) I was both
excited and terrified. I met
challenges. Frustrations. Roadblocks and uncertainty. The location was difficult to find. The attendees were slow in committing. The
t-shirts were way undersized, there was a question if my worship leader would
be able to attend all sessions, etc., etc...
When the day arrived, I looked about, in wordless
wonder. It had all come together! The room turned out beautiful. There were nice (free) giveaways for the
ladies. My worship leader had a green
light to attend. My room was packed full
of beautiful ladies. God even went so
far as to ordain an artist to show up at the last second to put up the
frivolous tulle that I had my heart set on using!
As the room filled, and the giggling and game playing
commenced, all I wanted to do was stand and weep. He was so much better than I even knew. As the weekend went on, He showed up with
ever-increasing glory and sweet presence.
My mind and heart were stunned. He was so much better than I even knew. I have loved Him, my whole life. I have known of His goodness, provision, and
love. But in that moment- and even now,
in the afterglow of it all- I realize...after trying Him...
trusting Him... stretching me... I can
attest with all conviction. He is
better than I even knew. To Him
be the glory!
Lord, I have
tasted and seen that you are good. Even
more so than I can fathom. But it has only whetted my appetite to taste
more. Thank you. "My soul does
magnify the Lord!"
I pray for the
readers today to be encouraged by this
first-hand testimony of Your awesome faithfulness! Let them discover their own testimony, even
today! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
© Sherri Evans
2015. All rights reserved. "When God Whispers Over Your Life."
