Give me just a moment please; I’m going to grab a cup of coffee, or maybe some tea, before we begin. Would you like to join me? 🙂 (Elevator music playing!) OK, I’m glad that you made it back? You know, sometimes you just need a moment to sit down with a cup of coffee or tea (some of you may prefer a soft drink of some sort) and catch your breath, rest, and gather your thoughts. Maybe it’s a moment to reflect, or process something. I know I need these moments! These moments can be therapeutic; they can offer rest and can sooth the soul! Let’s talk about moments.
Life is made up of moments. Some are a literal moment; some even a split second. Some moments are fleeting and go by so quickly; and some seem to last an eternity. Some are good, some bad,
and some are just moments to get the job done. There are moments of joy, sadness, excitement, elation, grief, sorrow, pain, happiness, love, service, and the list goes on. But, you will find that there are particular moments in life that have a greater calling. Moments that have an impact on us as individuals and change our outlook or the course of our life. Moments that inspire greatness or moments of defeat. Moments that take your breath away; realizing God’s grandeur with a particularly beautiful sunset or holding your baby for the first time. Moments that take your breath away because it feels like you were just hit with a ton of bricks. That split second when you hear “the news” as the severity of it registers in your brain: a car accident, a severe life threatening illness, a death, a confession, a situation. These are the moments when you realize that things will never be the same again. These moments can change the direction of our life. Let’s take Mary for instance.
“30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31 KJV
Wow, can you imagine getting THAT news. THAT news changes everything! It also carried with it possibly severe consequences for that season in her life, being unmarried but also engaged. Regardless of the consequences and the opposition she would face, she agreed.
“38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 KJV
And the angel was gone! It was probably all over before she even had a chance to process what was actually happening. Can you imagine her thoughts and emotions those first few moments after the angel left? I would imagine that human nature took over her mind. I can hear her conversation with God, “Wait a second! What just happened? What did I agree to? You want me to do WHAT? Do you know what this means for me?” I would think that was a moment that took Mary’s breath away; a moment when she had to stop and catch her breath? A moment she had to spend with God just letting go and trusting. I would also call this a defining moment. Despite what this would mean for her socially, she agreed. She stepped out in faith and trust in God. She realized that He was with her and He would somehow work it all out. She had to; how else would she make it through this situation! That doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard. So, defining moment – YES! A moment that will forever change the course of, not just her life, but also the world; and yet, it only lasted a moment. BUT, she seized the moment and her moment was the beginning of a journey. Let’s take a look at another defining moment.
Moses had led the children of Israel out into the wilderness of Egypt to deliver them from the grip of Pharaoh. The Pharaoh gathered the Egyptian army and they begin pursing the people of Israel. As the army begins to close-in, the Israelites realize they are trapped and begin to panic, get scared, lose faith, and question. Moses responds:
“13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14 KJV
Then Moses needed a moment! His human nature was taking over and the reality of the situation caused him to catch his breath. After all, the loss would be so great if he was wrong. So, he took time to pray!
“15 And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:” Exodus 14:15 KJV
God responded! “Stop praying, it’s time to move! Here’s what you will do.”
“16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:16 KJV
When Moses got to the waters edge with the Pharaoh’s army hot on their tracks he had to make a decision and take action. There was no turning back; that was certain death. The only option was the sea. Now, in that split second do you think there was a question in his mind? “So – I’m just suppose to put my rod up and stretch it over the sea and we will all be able to cross on dry land?” To believe this, required Moses to step out in faith and trust God. Who else had gone around parting seas before so a whole nation could cross on dry land! So, defining moment – YES! But, he seized the moment and his moment was able to continue the journey for the people of Israel.
Mary and Moses; what defining moments. Both of these individuals faced great opposition while seizing their defining moments. What if they would have given up or not followed through with what God was asking and brewing in them. How would this have changed our world even today.
God will place defining moments in your life. These will not look the same as they did for Mary and Moses. They may not be as grand and world changing with angels, giving birth to the savior of the world, and seas parting – or will they. Regardless, in those moments when you have to catch your breath, when you realize that things will never be the same again, in your defining moments, in the moments that change everything – I challenge you. I challenge you (even in the midst of sadness, grief, or heartbreak) to take a moment to embrace God’s brewing love. Catch your breath and try to think about what your moment could be or what God wants it to be. Seize your moment – good, bad or ugly! Let God use your worst moments to brew you and turn them into some of your finest moments – He will surprise you!
Let’s brew in the moment!
Leave a Reply