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Are You For Us?
by Brooke Hodnefield
The Storm (an excerpt from Acts 27:22-25)
But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.’
Eight years ago, we embarked on an OIT (oral immunotherapy treatment) journey with our son Noah (6 years old at the time), to ‘immunize’ him to peanuts. As Noah had gotten older, his peanut allergy numbers had increasingly become dangerous, which put him at risk for anaphylaxis. Due to the severity of his peanut allergy, he qualified for a treatment that gradually exposed peanut protein to help him develop tolerance and reduce the life-threatening risks associated. Bottom line, we were going to be on a daily, round-the-clock 6-month journey knowingly giving our son what his body believes is toxic. In reading Acts the other day, I noted that I had denoted the OIT season with a date and highlighted the ‘The Storm’ excerpt.
Courage and belief in God were necessary as we mitigated our storm in this challenging season of life. Reflecting on that time, I can see elements that helped me navigate my way.
I simply needed to name this hard thing with a handful of trusted people – those who knew our family, knew Noah, and knew me. I was not meant to carry this heavy thing alone, nor was our family. Sometimes, it felt overwhelming and emotional, but I knew I was not navigating this in isolation.
Emotions surfaced by way of deep fear and anxiety. Requiring a 6-year-old boy not to do any activities that would elevate his heart rate and the unknown of the possibility of reaction with each dose of peanut flour was terrifying. Regardless of how scary it was, I needed to trust that next small, faithful step before us and know we can do hard things…He can do hard things.
The beauty of a storm is that it may last a long while, but it will end. While we do not choose to step into the boat that sails for stormy seas, there can be good from it. Unsteady footing requires us to grasp at something to steady ourselves. May it be that we can reach for God in these turbulent waters and tangibly know he’s already in the boat with us? Your faith and trust can be deepened, and he is there to grasp your hand.
The scars each of us have from our stormy seasons also can bring resiliency for the next. The tools that helped us during the first storm may also be helpful in the next one. We have greater understanding and compassion for others who are navigating similar challenges. We’ve been in those waters, and we get it. We can hold space for our unique story but can offer comfort for another by simply saying, ‘Me too.’ This is a unique opportunity that only you have the power to speak into, given the specific scar you have.
What lies before you now? What feels insurmountable?
- Name it with a few trusted people
- Consider what is that next small, faithful step
‘So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.’ Acts 27:25
[Monday, November 4]
Acts 26:1-8
Think of a memorable quote, or something profound someone shared that caught your attention. It was likely bold in nature, and called forth something that resonated. Sometimes we need to meet the moment and make a bold statement. Paul suggests in conversation with King Agrippa, ‘Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?’ Where in your life do you need to have bold faith?
[Tuesday, November 5]
Acts 26:9-18
We each have our own baggage and junk we bring with us..the hurt, wrongdoings and failures that we’ve experienced along the way on our own life’s journey. But we are never too far gone, or beyond the point of redemption. We can be both broken and forgiven. Paul names his own journey of hatred and opposition, ‘I too was convinced that I ought’d to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.’ Where have you fallen short, and what do you need to name and release to God today?
[Wednesday, November 6]
Acts 26:19-27
God is in the big momentum changes in our life..big answers to prayer, big life-changing events, big relationships. But our faith is often built in the smaller, less noticeable moments….the building blocks of the smaller habits and interactions with people. Overtime, these are the foundational bricks where we can rely on our groundedness in God, and not in ourself. ‘But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.’ What do you do, or who do you interact with everyday that you could consider a ‘holy ground’ moment, anchored in God versus yourself?
[Thursday, November 7]
Acts 26:28-32
I have people in my life who I desperately desire to know Jesus. I’m sure you can think of those people, too. They are friends, family, colleagues and neighbors who you desire to have the same foundational eternal hope and saving grace in a world that can be so heavy and hard. But take heart, and don’t lose hope. “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.’ Consider someone you may have been praying for, even for some time. Recommit them to God’s care and his timing.
[Friday, November 8]
Acts 27:1-12
‘Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.’ It would appear that this sailing crew was on a journey of the unknown. Our own days spent ‘sailing’ through our lives can feel fraut with unexpected storms, wind that blows us off course, obstacles that were not expected, and a time line that evolves. What I love about this story, is that the Lord leads them to their destination. This happened likely not within the time frame expected, or even the way they imagined, but they found themselves to safe harbour. Where do you most need to trust in God’s timing right now?
{extra journey resources}
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