What We're Learning: Weeks 28+29

There's just a lot we're learning right now, so I had to publish a separate post this week. You can read the latest update on Joel here.

Here goes everything.

I (Kaylan) go to a weekly women's Bible study at my church. A few weeks ago, we started Priscilla Shirer's study called Gideon. 

Honestly, I decided to jump in on this study simply because I wanted the community and encouragement from other women during this difficult time—not necessarily because I thought it would be applicable to our situation right now. 

(Silly, Kaylan. Don't you know Jesus better by now?)

Over the last two weeks, it's like Jesus has written personal, daily letters to me upon the pages of this study. He's reading all my mail these days. I've jotted down notes so fast and furiously in my notebook with my favorite red ink pen that it looks like I've bled all over the pages. 

Then, after each Thursday morning session, I've sprinted to my car, dragging Madelyn behind me, to call Nathan and share with him what the Lord has said. It's turned out to be a HUGE encouragement to us both. 

Please go and read the story of Gideon. Much of what I'm about to say will make so much more sense if you do. Either way, here's what Jesus has been teaching us:

• The crisis we're in isn't powerful enough to put us out of God's reach. 

Listen! The Lord's arm isn't too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. —Isaiah 59:1

• The crisis we're in positions us for God's calling on our lives.

The angel of the Lord appeared to [Gideon] and said, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you! —Judges 6:12

• God is more interested in changing our hearts than He is our circumstances. Ouch.

"Well done!" the king exclaimed. "You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I have entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward." —Luke 19:17

• Everything that happens in our lives is either God-allowed or God-arranged. Nothing happens without being sifted through His fingers first. That means, everything He allows in this chapter of our lives is transforming us and preparing us for the next chapter of our lives. How dare we try to jump ahead to the next chapter before Jesus completes the work He's started in this chapter? Let the Man finish, Preuss Family.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. —Philippians 1:6

• We're definitely not the same people we used to be before this crisis. We certainly have no business going back to where we used to be before this crisis. And we're learning we don't need everything we thought we would need to get through this crisis (i.e. doctors, causes, cures, plans, back-up plans, back-ups to our back-up plans, etc). 

He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now, I'm glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. —2 Corinthians 12:9

• In Gideon's story, God reduced his army from 32,000 men to 300 men. Then, He sent them into battle against 135,000 Midianites. What in the world? How would the Israelites ever beat them with so few numbers? God had stripped away all his soldiers, resources, skill, etc. Want to know why? Because God didn't want just a little bit of recognition—He wanted ALL the glory. It seems God has stripped away a lot from our situation as well. Again, we have no cause, no cure, no doctor, and no real plan. I'm pretty sure He wants all the glory for Himself in this too.

The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength." —Judges 7:2

So that's what we're learning. Get ready. I'm sure we'll have more to hurl at you next week as well.