Guts to choose God's side

Today: Numbers 23-25

I think a lot of people picture Christians as kind of...wimpy. If you ever see a Christian portrayed in a movie or TV show, they usually seem to be pale, frail or just plain weird around people. That's sad.

I'm hoping that this generation will start to change some of the stereotypes because if there's one thing Christians shouldn't be, it's wimpy. It takes some real guts to choose God's side--and people with guts are usually NOT blah. They're leaders. They're straightforward. And they're interesting.

Take Balaam in today's passage, for example. Yesterday, he was the guy who heard from a donkey (definitely interesting!)...and from God, too. In today's passage, he had some major guts to stand up to a guy named Balak who asked him to curse the Israelites (God's people). I LOVE Balaam's responses to Balak. Here are a few of the cool things he said:

"...How can I curse whom God has not cursed?

How can I damn who God has not damned?..."

"Does he (God) not speak and do what he says?

Does he promise and not come through?"

"Didn't I tell you earlier: 'All God speaks and only what he speaks, I speak'?"

"Didn't I tell you upfront when you sent your emissaries,

'Even if Balak gave me his palace stuffed with silver and gold,

I couldn't do anything on my own, whether good or bad,

that went against God's command'?"

Balaam was a guy with guts--I kind of like him, don't you? Some of the things he said put him in a tough spot with Balak, a powerful man who actually threatened him. Choosing God's side takes guts at times, but it's always the right thing to do--you always win!

Tomorrow: Numbers 26-27

When a donkey talks, it's time to listen

Today: Numbers 21-22

If you have animals, you've probably talked to them at some point (it's okay to admit it--you've probably at least tried to teach them commands). But what would you do if one day, your pet talked back? What if it wasn't just one word at a time like a parrot (believe it or not, I actually had a talking parrot at one point in time!), but what if your pet engaged with you in conversation?

I'd seriously freak out--or feel like I suddenly landed in the middle of a Disney movie and just start singing back. :)

Joking aside, a talking Harley (my other--canine--roommate) would definitely get my attention. In today's passage, God actually made a donkey talk to get the attention of Balaam, a prophet.

Balaam was on his way to meet up with some guys who summoned him and asked him to put a curse on the Israelites (God's people). When Balaam's donkey backed off from the road (as donkeys sometimes do) and refused to move forward toward the meeting, Balaam beat the donkey three times. The donkey talked back and wasn't exactly thrilled about the beating. God opened Balaam's eyes to see why the donkey was backing off from the road--an angel of the Lord was standing in her way. Here's what it says:

God's angel said to him:

"Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times?

I have come here to block your way

because you're getting way ahead of yourself.

The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times.

If she hadn't, I would have killed you by this time, but not the donkey.

I would have let her off."
Balaam said to God's angel,

"I have sinned.

I had no idea you were standing in the road blocking my way..."

When I read that today, I had a "whoa" moment. Here are a few of the things I thought as I read this story:

1. God can really use anything to speak to us. If He used an ass, He can certainly use a friend, church, book, television show, child, blog post...anything!

2. Don't beat the messengers in your life...they might be doing God's work. Balaam beat his trusted donkey three times and said to God later, "I had no idea you were standing in the road blocking my way..." Particularly if your "messengers" are people you generally trust and respect (perhaps close friends, parents, mentors, leaders, etc.), they likely have your best interest at heart. Don't shrug off their advice, feedback or constructive criticism. Most of time, I think you can even learn something from people you don't even like or trust (including "what NOT to do").

3. God's not a genie. He doesn't always answer with "yes"--and sometimes, that's to our benefit. Especially today, I think there are a lot of modern Christians (myself included at times) who believe that if God loves them, everything they need and want will happen. Not true. God promises to always love us and meet our needs--but He does not promise to grant every wish instantaneously. I've seen what looks like "no" or negative answers from God--things like layoffs, serious illness or even death--turn into beautiful things that He used to move people into better circumstances (e.g. better jobs, miracle healing) or to bring them closer to Him.

4. "Blockades" aren't always from the Devil or simple obstacles you need to find a detour around. This point is kind of in line with my third observation. Sometimes we see things as obstacles when really, they are meant as gates to block us from hurting ourselves or others. Sometimes blockades are there for reasons we don't understand--and may be there to push us in totally different, God-led directions. For example, imagine an unemployed person getting a "no" for a job at a great company. The "no" might seem like a blockade, but maybe it's because something totally different and truly in line with the person's purpose is waiting ahead. Sometimes this truth can only be found in hindsight--but think about "blockades" that helped push you in the right direction before. It happens.

5. Blockades aren't always permanent. In Balaam's case, God used the blockade to get his attention, but then allowed Balaam to proceed into the city. Sometimes God calls us to remain patient before bulldozing ahead toward something we're not ready for yet (hello, single people who have charged ahead into bad relationships...).

If there's one thing I want to leave you with today it's this: When a donkey talks, it's time to listen.

Tomorrow: Numbers 23-25