GIDEON: AN UNLIKELY HERO

Hi Friends!

We went to church tonight and I found myself sitting behind 2 of my friends and Bible study group members. We are 3 young women in our 30s-40s who have gone through a lot health-wise in the past year. My friend, Carrie, had a stroke which changed her physically. I relate to her a lot because she and I have similar brain issues. She has also dealt with breast cancer in the last year. My friend, Kelly, has also dealt with breast cancer this past year, a mastectomy and has had 7 surgeries so far. And then of course, there's me this year with my loopy brain and body and the chemo used to fight it. Anyway the three of us, and Bill (with his own health issues) talk and commiserate sometimes and discuss our "new normal." We know that God doesn't cause our illnesses -- but we live in a fallen world with broken bodies. Sometimes, however, in our humanity it's difficult to see the point of it all when you are suffering. We remind ourselves and each other of how God can even use the suffering to bless us, bring us closer to Him, and bless others through us.

So, anyway I was thinking about us all as I stood there singing in church. When I lift my hands to praise God, they shake -- not as bad as they used to, but my nervous system will likely never recover to its pre-lupus state. And when I listen to Pastor Jeff give his awesome sermons, I struggle to take notes fast enough -- because if I don't I will be left with no memory of what we discussed. That's another part of my brain lost. And sometimes, I think -- Oh God, how can you use me and this defective body to do anything for your kingdom. But today as I looked at Carrie with one side that is handicapped, and Kelly who is waiting to have her reconstructive surgery -- I was reminded of the story of Gideon. And I thought about how God specializes in using broken people to achieve mighty things in his kingdom. That way people see His glory rather than looking at the individuals chosen by Him!

Take the story of Gideon. If you're not familiar with it. I'll give you the summary. It's in Judges 6-7 if you want to delve deeper. The Israelites were living in the land of Canaan. Because it was such a beautiful land, other groups were always trying to take the land away from God's people. The Midianites had done this, and during Gideon's time -- God's people were slaves.

God wanted a leader for the Israelites, and he picked a shy man named Gideon. Even after God's angel talked to Gideon, he still did not believe he could do it. But when he was told to tear down the idols, Gideon did what he was told. However, he was still uncertain and he asked for several signs so that he would know that God was with him.

God obliged Gideon rather than chastising him for his questioning. And so Gideon put together a big army to fight the Midianites. But God told him the army was too big. God wanted to be sure that the people knew that God alone was responsible for the victory. So, he gave Gideon directions on how many men to send away. Gideon was left with only 300 men to fight the Midianites, but by following God's directions -- God's army chased the Midianites out of their country. God had kept his promise, and he let Gideon win the battle. But they gave glory to God -- THE ISRAELITES PRAISED GOD!!!

Now what does this have to do with me or my 2 sickly friends or you or anyone? Well, it gives me comfort. I realize with this story, God uses the weak, the shy, the unimportant, the unlikely. God doesn't get mad when we question his plan. God rewards our obedience to His plan, which He understands is hard when we "don't get it!" And finally, God delights in using the weak, the physically disabled, the "messed up," because then we know the truth. I cannot be responsible for this. Anything good in my life, anything that I do that blesses others -- is all God, not me!
I hope that brings you comfort too! I delight in an all-powerful God who rules over armies of angels, but still can use little old me to do his glorious plans!

Much Love...
Michele