'Seven'

I've been watching Pastor Steven Furtick's new series online called 'Scarecrow in a Melon Patch'.  The purpose of this series is to restore God's rightful role and put all other things in their proper place in your life.  This weeks title was called 'Siamese Scarecrows'.  He talked a lot about how biblical families and modern day (our) families are very similar in the disfunction we tend to carry around.  I've read the Bible through several times, but never really thought about how disfunctional Jacob's life was...

Genesis 25:27 says, "Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob.  From the very beginning Jacob's entire life was all about trying to obtain a blessing.  He stole his brother's birthright, then fell in love with his uncle's daughter, Rachel.  He committed to working '7' years to marry Rachel, but on his wedding night, he was tricked by his Uncle Laban and ended up with the not so beautiful, older sister, Leah.  He worked another '7' years and was finally given his one true love, Rachel.

Over the last few weeks, I've been hearing the number 7 in my mind.  It wasn't an audible voice, but I knew it was something I needed to be aware of.  I'm not one that knows all the meanings of the different numbers.  It really hasn't ever interested me to be quite honest.  I had no idea that the meaning of the number 7 is perfection; completeness; signifies giving your life to something.  As I was thinking about this number and it's meaning I realized that '7' years ago was really when I completely turned my back on God.  I knew that when I didn't go back to Master's Commission for a second year (like I knew I was supposed to), I changed the course of my life by that one act of disobedience.  I later allowed bitterness and anger in my heart due to my parents divorce.  Then followed by my earthly father turning his back and not having anything to do with us.

Genesis 29 talks about Leah and how she felt when she realized Jacob loved her sister Rachel more than he loved her.  God saw that she was not loved, so He opened up her womb.  Three baby boy's later and Jacob was still head over heels in love with Rachel, the barren sister.  Makes me wonder what Rachel looked like.  We know she was beautiful, but did she have inner beauty as well?  Was she a God fearing woman?  What was it about her that stole Jacob's heart?  Why couldn't Jacob love both of them?

I started thinking about my life and how during these 7 years I was all about me.  I put my hope in everything but God to get me past all the crap I had been through.  I looked for love in all the wrong places.  I did anything and everything to try my hardest to make 'me' happy.  But in the long run it only made me more miserable than I was before.  Just like Leah, all I wanted was approval and love.  But because I put God aside, I never found it.  I'm re-learning that when you put your hope in anything other than God, you get 'Leah', not Rachel.  In other words, you're still unsatisfied with your life. 

During the last 8 weeks, I've been going through a Life Group.  I had no idea how messed up I really was.  I had no idea how fast God was going to get all the junk out of my life and really give me a new hunger and thirst for more of him.  I had no idea that I would be seeking him and actually allowing him to have full authority over my life. I had no idea my passion for missions would come back in my heart.  If it wasn't for God's sacrificial love and His approval towards ME, I really don't know where I would be right now?  Physically, I would be in Alabama.  Mentally, I'm thinking more messed up than I ever want to know.  Spiritually, living a life of luke warmness and thinking I was really going to make it to Heaven.

I heard a song that said, "God, you lifted me out and I'll tell all the world."  I'm so thankful that He cares and loves me so much.  He came down from Heaven to po-dunk Alabama and lifted me out of my misery.  He gave me life again.  He's given me a new beginning and a new hope.  Who am I that HE is mindful of me?!  I'm forever thankful.  I'll never be the same.  For the first time in 7 years I'm looking forward to my future.  I can't wait to see where God leads me 7 years from now! 

*God, you lifted me out and I'll tell all the world*