I taught the last week's study for Psalm 23 at church last night, and just as soon as I say hello to you here, I'm off to get showered and ready to teach the last week's study for the Thursday morning gals at church. I can hardly believe this is week 6.
As I was sharing with the gals last night, I am not the same person I was six weeks ago. Journeying through Psalm 23 for the past six weeks--both in study and in real life as God has taught me each lesson in preparation to teach it--has changed me. And isn't that what Bible study should do? Change us so we are not the same as we were before?
It's been a journey of incredibly hard work, of coming face to face with my own insecurity and learning to put it off, of sacrifice, of obedience, of learning some hard things about myself, of rejecting self-sufficiency once and for all, of embracing dependence, of restoration, of hearing God speak each and every day.
I have long believed that God speaks to me. But these past six weeks, we've had a nonstop conversation. Some of those conversations have been fun, some have been encouraging, some have been eye-opening, and some have been God saying things that have been hard to hear.
I love that he speaks and I love that he's allowed me to speak on his behalf. I don't for a minute forget what a privilege and responsibility that is.
I'm anxious to see what this next season brings. I have some hints of where we're going and I'm excited for the journey to continue in a new stage. Toben and I have some things to work on together. I'm seeking balance. I'm realizing that I am more comfortable talking about rest than actually resting. I'm wondering about pressing into Sabbath once more.
And so I'm looking forward. Thankful for what is just about past. Ready to follow where my Shepherd leads next.
I know your ladies were blessed. Thank you for being His mouthpiece.
Posted by: rhonda | April 29, 2010 at 09:55 AM
The study was great! You did an awesome job! Not only do I now know Psalm 23 by memory but God spoke, confirmed already known truths, and reviled new ones as well. So Cool! Thanks for allowing Him to use you to teach His Word! I was truly blessed by you.
Posted by: Amy | April 29, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Wow Joanne...I am writing this comment and right next to the box is your button from the Spiritual Mothering book club...I am sure that there was some mothering done as you taught and in many ways God gave birth to the study that your hands wrote...and in parenting our children...we always learn so much ourselves...I am sure this was what has become known as a win-win...may you bask in the peace of a season well done...thanks for taking us on this journey with you even if we were sitting in the seats each week.
Posted by: Helen at A Work of Heart | April 30, 2010 at 10:13 PM
I once heard a minister speaking about the 3 wise men stopped by Herod on their way to see Jesus, and there's a verse in one of the gospels that says, essentially, 'and when they departed, they left by another way', indicating that they didn't want to cross paths with Herod again. But this minister's point was that when you genuinely encounter Christ, you can't ever go back the path you came. Because you are changed! And you MUST leave by another path. Your post reminded me of that teaching.
We are also re-visiting teachings about the Sabbath at our house. For the first time in 3 years my husband has a Monday through Friday, 8-5 job instead of retail management hours. We have decided we will not be eating out at restaurants because if people who think it's important to be in church stop eating out, then maybe the restaurants would open later and those people could attend church as well. We're taking a closer look at all of the other commerce we transact on a Sunday, as well.
I'm sharing this to say, sometimes it's nice to know we're not alone. Our journeys aren't identical, but they are on the same path.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | May 01, 2010 at 06:47 AM
Kim: It is nice to know we're not alone. Thanks for sharing how you're rethinking the Sabbath at your house. Toben and I had a conversation about this just yesterday. Wondering how to make it more of a day of rest--different from Saturday, different from any other day. What kind of preparation would be required.
Posted by: Joanne (The Simple Wife) | May 04, 2010 at 06:15 AM