It’s funny how the Christian life seems so simple. . . until I reach a crossroads.
As a Christian, when walking through a particularly difficult time in life — a valley season — I sometimes find myself between two faith positions.
The fiery furnace I’m facing threatens to steal my life in the most agonizing of ways. The heat is unbearable; the flames are jumping and licking at my toes, taunting me with their power over my life and there’s simply no way out.
Despite the inferno before me, I can’t move past a knowing that burns deep in my belly. It burns just as fiercely as the furnace before me. God. Is. Able. He is fully capable of using His power and working His will in countless ways to get me out of this mess, save my life, and magnify Himself in the process.
But.
Just because God is able, doesn’t mean He will. So then comes another fiery choice: Will I still believe His goodness and worship Him with my whole heart if He doesn’t?
So I rise up and declare to the flames, “My God is good, and He is fully able to rescue me from your clutches of death. He is more than able. And even if He doesn’t rescue me, He is still good, and I will still bow before Him and Him alone.”
The moment of truth comes when I lift my foot — trembling, hoping, believing — and step headlong into the fire.
In that moment I’m in the tension between the great “And’s” of our faith. I’m sandwiched between the “And even if He doesn’t” and the “And even if I told you.”
“Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your day that you would not believe, even if you were told.” {Habakkuk 1:5, NIV}
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t know which ending their story would have. They had to step into the fire in order to discover what God was doing, which was something downright amazing that would have been hard to believe even if He had told them ahead of time.
Lazarus had to die in order to see the unexplainable, unbelievable thing God wanted to do.
I’ve found in my spiritual journey, I usually can’t get to the “And even if I told you” moments without first walking face-first into the “And even if He doesn’t” ones.
Maybe you have to step into the fire today to see which direction He wants to take you.
Maybe you have to be willing for the answer to be that He doesn’t rescue, and you choose to honor Him anyway.
Maybe God won’t do the amazing and wondrous thing He wants to do until you step into the fire: quit the job; apply for the job; start the chemo; call that estranged one.
All I know is, this life lived in the tension between “And even if He doesn’t” and “And even if I told you” is not easy.
Then again, I don’t recall Jesus promising us easy.
This life between the “And’s” is painful and hard. It takes willful, white-knuckle choice to follow Him no matter what — again and again and again. This life requires sifting Truth from lies, choosing hope over despair, light over dark.
But.
This life. Oh, this life lived in the tension between the And’s. It is oh so beautiful. It pulls redemption from the wreckage of destruction. It lifts to restoration after brokenness. It brings unspeakable strength that is only found, ironically, in dying to self. This life brings rebirth where once was death. It cultivates beauty where once ashes reigned.
If you’re there today, friend, know that you are not alone.
He is walking with you and orchestrating this achingly beautiful life between the “And’s” — working it all for something more beautiful than you could imagine — even if I told you.
[linebreak]
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
Oh how I needed this post today. I, along with my Board, are debating as to whether to take a leap of faith in laying out funds in faith for Redeemer Christian Foundation which I (strike that), God heads up. We don’t know that the stream of funds will continue to come in, but we are on the brink of taking that step into the unknown. All I know is, as you say, God is Able. He has been faithful and good in the past to look out for these orphans (His children) and to provide…even when the well seemed dry. And…even if He doesn’t, I will declare His goodness always. Thank you for this affirmation of life being lived between and stepping into the “and’s”. Awesome post!
Blessings,
Bev
Jennifer D. says
Bev,
(((Hugs))) dear one. Praying God will continue to strengthen and guide you as you serve Him.
Beth Williams says
Bev,
Yes! God is able!! He will take care of His precious children–especially those in war torn countries! He will provide more funds!! God doesn’t provide clarity He just wants us to follow and trust Him to show the way!
Blessings 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Beth,
So true…I always want God to share His vision with me so that I can know…but my job is not to know….but to trust and follow. One step at a time. Thanks for your sweet encouragement!
B xx
karen says
This is so excellently articulated!!! I will be saving this to read over and over! THANKS!!!!!
Jennifer D. says
<3
Beth says
Surely you heard my prayers and my crying out to God this morning when I was driving to work, and that caused you to write this post :)…… this is amazingly and abundantly timed, just for me. I am smack dab between the “ands”; so weary of praying the prayers I always pray for loved ones, so tired of never seeing answers. And yet….when I look around me, I see so many answers in other areas that I’m blown away by His goodness and mercy to me. I have no idea how or if God is going to resolve this current heartache, the largest I’ve ever known and which visits on me daily, but I need to choose to worship Him no matter what, and see the countless other ways He’s providing and being God. Thank you.
Jennifer D. says
Oh, Beth, I am praying that He continues to bolster your faith, heart and energy – both spiritual and physical – to keep on keeping on. And that He answers clearly and boldly.
Stephanie Ravencraft says
Jennifer, very timely words for me to read and put in my heart and mind.
Jennifer D. says
Hugs and prayers and chocolate for you, sweet one. 🙂
Beth Williams says
Beth,
Praying for healing! God will answer your prayers…In His Perfect Timing. We are never promised clarity as to what will happen–He just wants us to trust Him and His ways!! Praying that your faith will increase and get bold! I will pray fervently that He give you some answers to these trials!! He will never leave you nor forsake you!!
Blessings 🙂
Stephanie Ravencraft says
Beth, I’m right there in the same kind of place as you and this post today was very timely for me to put into my mind and pray to God about.
An says
Jennifer, thank you and praise to our Lord for this beautiful post. It speaks to many things in my life where the Lord didn’t rescue, but oh how tenderly and wonderfully He has redeemed. Thank you for reminding me to praise Him in the storm and at the crossroads and to say, “Jesus, I trust in You.” To follow His voice. How blessed we are to have a Savior who understands how hard it can be to step out in faith. May the Lord bless each of our steps today as He lights the path before our trembling feet 🙂
Jennifer D. says
Amen, friend. Amen.
JeanneTakenaka says
Jennifer, what a beautiful post. I love your truth-filled words. Sometimes we have to walk through the “And even if He doesn’t” and still choose to declare our God is GOOD, and He is ABLE. And He sees us, and He’s working, even when we can’t see it. That dying to self thing is hard. But I’ve found in the times I lay myself down and take up what God’s asking me to walk through, I’ve learned more about Him and seen His faithfulness in amazing ways.
This is such an encouraging post.
Jennifer D. says
You are so right. And each time I learn afresh just how good and faithful He is, I declare not to fear in the next fire. Shame I have such a short memory. Ha! But so thankful for His grace new each day.
Susan says
Therein lies the fear! One must step into the fire to realize He will deliver us! Whew.
Jennifer D. says
So true!
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
You hit the nail on the on the head with this!! God wants us to trust Him and His ways by taking the leap of faith! ” Maybe God won’t do the amazing and wondrous thing He wants to do until you step into the fire: quit the job.” Such
wisdom!! I have been in a trial with my aging father’s health and working full time. I took that leap of faith and quit. my. job. last June. God didn’t provide clarity. In all this I have found my faith and trust in God increasing
Jennifer D. says
I love this testimony, Beth. Love it.
Shell Austin says
I’ve struggled with the “even if he doesn’t” as I watched my 44 year old sister pray for healing yet die of cancer. And the “even if he doesn’t” protect my sweet mother in-law from getting hit by a car and killed as she crossed a country road….my trust was shattered that the Savior did not save them…some days I feel like I am never going to be ok again, feel vibrant life in my walk with the Lord again….its been 9 years since my sister passed and 5 since my mil but I am still not ok :'(
Jennifer D. says
Oh, sweet friend. I wish I could hug you and sit and cry with you. I wish I could tell you why. But I can relate to the struggle. We dealt with the “and even if He doesn’t” when my father-in-law passed away from his illness. I’m praying God’s comfort will overwhelm you and that piece by piece your faith will be built back stronger.
Stacy says
Thank you so much for this! My husband has filed for divorce and I am having so much trouble opening my hands to release this to God. I am scared to give it to God, afraid I won’t ever get it back. And while my head knows He has good plans for me, my heart is having trouble with doubt. This was such an encouragement for me.
Jennifer D. says
Oh, Stacy. I am so very sorry. I wish I had better words. Words to make it all okay. Praying for a miracle for you.
Graham says
This devotional was just what I needed. God, I am in the fire. ..now where do you want me to go. It just amazes me how He spoke to me through your message. I’ve been in the fire for a couple of weeks now with marital issues. I know that in the fire people are purified & things can be sloughed off. And even if my situation doesn’t change. ..I know that He’s got me covered. Thanks Jennifer for today’s devotional.
Jennifer D. says
Praying you see His hand moving in your circumstances.
Nancy Ruegg says
Thank you, Jennifer, for pointing out: “This life is lived in the tension between the And’s. It is oh so beautiful.” I’ve reached the age when I can say, “AMEN,” and know what I’m talking about! A life that becomes beautiful requires both valley experiences and mountaintops . Without valleys, we’d probably grow spoiled and stagnated; without mountaintops we’d probably lose our fortitude and hope. God lovingly provides the valleys and mountains so that we learn to be content in all things (Phil. 4:11-13). And contentment IS a beautiful thing. P.S. When the flames are licking at my heels, please remind me of what I just said!
Jennifer D. says
So beautifully said, Nancy. Truly.