Determined
by Gemma Gardner
I really enjoy my trips to the local supermarket. I usually go there twice a week, pulling behind me my purple shopping trolley, and pushing in front of me the supermarket trolley. I try to go early in the morning, to avoid colliding with people at the busier times. On this particular occasion, I was doing quite well collecting items and putting them in the trolley, until I came to the flour. I wanted some strong bread flour, a bag of white and a bag of wholemeal flour. We have a bread machine at home and I bake our bread.
I looked at the tray of flour but could only see white flour. However, I knew that sometimes, the wholemeal flour was at the back, when there wasn’t much available. Sure enough, as I peered round the side, I saw a bag. But I wasn’t able to reach it, unless I could move the bags of white flour. There wasn’t any staff around at that point, so I decided to try. I managed to move the tray of bags forward, and then I could see two bags of wholemeal flour. I took one of them, and put the tray back. A customer came by and asked if I was all right, and I explained what I’d been doing.
Just as I was walking towards the checkout, I felt the Lord said to me, “You were determined to get that flour, weren’t you? Now will you show the same determination to overcome the obstacles that get in your way as you follow Me?”
I was thinking about this as I walked home. The Israelites had to face many battles before they took possession of the Promised Land. Although God had said He was giving it to them, they still had to fight for it. At other times, they were told to stand still, and the Lord would fight for them. It’s the same for us, really. There are times when we have to push our way forward, when we know that something is in line with God’s will for us. At other times, the Lord may ask us to wait until He opens the way. We need the Lord’s wisdom to know the difference.
Galatians 6:9 is a word of encouragement for us: ‘Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up’.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to You with all that is going on in my life just now. I ask You to give me wisdom to know when I need to be still and trust You, and for courage to press on when You’re asking me to move forward and claim what You’re wanting to give me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Gemma Gardner lives in Norfolk with her husband, Dean, who until recently worked at Ellel Grange. They are both part of the Associate Ministry team which Gemma joined after completing the Modular school. Gemma has experienced the Lord`s healing and restoration over many years and longs to see Him healing other broken people. Gemma loves listening to music, cooking, knitting and crochet as well as outdoor exercise. She enjoys playing guitar and singing worship songs.
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