God is funny. And awesome in His wisdom. Abounding in love & mercy. But mostly funny. Or at least that's the characteristic I'm seeing most in Him lately. He's funny to me because lately He is shoving my words, my convictions, and a lot more in my face, forcing me to see things His way, not mine.
He's funny because He makes it so incredibly difficult to ignore... SERIOUSLY. In. My. Face.
He's funny because He's right. I know it. And He knows that I know it.
Last night I was parked in my normal seat in the 3rd row of Mariners Chapel. I'd come specifically to hear Bianca Olthoff speak. I've written about her before. Bianca is my girl. She's a bit ghetto like me, but she's so honest, so bold, and so incredibly amazing. She has this God-given ability to fire people up, to speak the truth with conviction, and her discernment, it is SPOT on people! Like in a freaky way. Bianca brought down the house, as usual and I invite you to listen to her message from last night when it is uploaded onto Mariners website.
But back to being parked in the 3rd row...
It's hard to describe, the feeling you get when God is speaking directly to you. Last night, I felt like I was the only person in that room. That the entire service was orchestrated just for me. From the music selection, to Bianca's powerhouse of a message, to her request for a response... At one point I found myself shaking my head in complete disbelief that it was all unfolding the way it was. And again, because God is funny, I actually guffawed (yes, that's a word). I laughed out loud during church because I couldn't believe what God was doing.
I literally sat there in awe when Bianca looked straight at me during her call to a response and spoke directly to my heart. Later that night, during the end of the worship session, "Oceans" by Hillsong United began playing. This song is one that I have had on repeat for weeks. WEEKS. I heard the first words of the first verse and like the walls of Jericho, the walls around my stubborn heart came crumbling to the ground.
At that moment, my heart in my throat, I threw up my hands and gave in. It was clear that this was a no-holds-barred conversation between me & my Creator. He was throwing the punches and there was nothing I could do but sit back and take it.
As the walls fell and the song ended, I had nothing left in me except the knowledge that God is sick of having His voice drowned out by the world, by my selfish ways, by sin. Yes, He's patient, and loving, and kind. But He is also jealous and powerful.
When God wants His voice to be heard, there is nothing that can stop Him. When God wants His will to be done, He will find a way whether I like it or not. When the dust settles and all that's left is the rubble of the walls that have crumbled around me, His voice, His truth stands tall.
When God speaks into my life, HE SPEAKS LOUDLY and unrelenting. So when God speaks, I listen.
