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

Kids, crooks and the Donkey Rider

Today: Matthew 20-21

If you had omnipotent power and were making a grand entrance, how would you do it?

I think I would fly on the cotton-candy pink dragon from "Neverending Story." Or soar from the sky in a stunning red vintage Valentino gown. Or perhaps I'd fly in a glass elevator like the kid from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Yeah...those would all be pretty amazing. :) But Jesus chose just about the last mode of transportation I would ever pick. He chose...a donkey.

A donkey?

First of all, donkeys smell. They're kind of small for carrying a grown man--awkward-looking and uncomfortable. They don't steer very well (can we say stubborn?). I can't even imagine a fairytale prince riding a donkey...let alone the King of Kings and Son of God.

But that's exactly what happened. Jesus didn't roll into town in a talking car like David Haselhoff on Knight Rider...he was the ultimate Donkey Rider.

And let's talk about the people who followed Him. They weren't exactly the in-crowd at the Temple or A-list politicians. Nope--His followers included a bunch of little kids and what the Bible describes as "crooks and whores." Quite a crew, don't you think?

When I think about these things, I have such an interesting picture of Jesus. He is a God that the crooks, whores and kids felt comfortable with. He was confident and humble enough to ride on a donkey--He didn't need the hoopla of a white horse (or pink dragon, for that matter!), even though He probably deserved them. He was reach-able to people who were real, flawed, rough, simple and innocent. These people had a simple faith--but radically changed lives.

Those that stuggled most with Jesus? The religious, cynical, careless, proud and arrogant. Here's what He said to them:

I tell you that crooks and whores

are going to precede you into God's kingdom.

John came to you showing you the right road.

You turned up your noses at him,

but the crooks and whores believed him.

Even when you saw their changed lives,

you didn't care enough to change and believe him.

I typically don't count myself in the same camp as crooks and whores. But maybe I should aspire to exactly that. To care, to change and to believe with child-like faith in the power of a life-altering, donkey-riding King.

Tomorrow: Matthew 22-23