Back in August, I did a video post regarding some plans I had for my upcoming fall season. One of those plans included beginning a fourth manuscript based on Hebrews 11 and those who receive an honorable mention as persons of incredible faith. Over the last few months, their stories have become my own. I am almost half-way through the writing process but have slowed my pace because of Christmas. I hope to return to the “pen” with concentrated effort next week.
I wanted to share with you one of the reflections included in the work thus far. My goal in writing this book is to glean wisdom and faith therein from an “ancient” path–the one first tread by those who walked it best and, therefore, made their way into holy writ. They are my heroes. Thus, I leave you with my thoughts, along with some corresponding questions that reflect the style/layout of the projected 40 reflection book. I covet your prayers for future contemplation, a swift pen, and the continuing message of faith that God wants to weave within me and out of me and finally to thee–you, my friends. Blessings this week.
“Mommy, this is one in a thousand nights.”
Those were my son’s words to me last evening as we sat under the cover of darkness on our front porch looking up at the night sky. The cool November air and partial cloudiness of the heavens didn’t keep us from our imagining. Instead, we took to the diversion believing that the moments shared between us would be ours for always—securely tucked away in remembrance for a season somewhere down the road.
I knew what he meant, even though his words were a bit scrambled. His words often remain trapped within his nine-year-old vernacular. He can’t always articulate his thoughts in a language worthy of his thinking. Still and yet, he tries to put parameters around his feelings, and what he felt last night was special. Felt wanted. Felt loved and a part of the great cosmic movement circulating above his head. Felt like this was a night that could not be replicated… at least not for the next 999 nights.
I imagine his feelings had less to do with the stars and more to do with the story I told him about those stars. A story that took place in a long ago and far away season on an evening beneath the same landscape that currently cradled our vision. A story about an aged man named Abraham who took a night walk with a big God into the land of Promise. A vision that exceeded possibility to include the sure certainty of tomorrow’s reality—
A son.
A rich heritage of both physical and spiritual descendants that numbered with the stars, not with calculated understanding. When God revealed his plan to Abraham regarding his forward fruitfulness, Abraham took God at his word. He believed his Father. In doing so, Abraham became our spiritual father—the head of faith’s ancestral tree that still roots beneath our night sky and is illuminated by the same stars that shine as a witness to the certainty of God’s Promise, both then and now.
I told my son that when God and Abraham took their night walk and witnessed the magnitude of the galaxy surrounding them, one of those stars had his name written upon it; one of them had mine and his daddy’s, his brothers’ and his sister’s. That even then, God was thinking about all of us and how we would make a welcome addition to faith’s family tree. That somehow the stars up above us had withstood the passage of time so that the two of us could spend an evening beneath them, imagining Abraham’s faith moment when his belief in God’s promise superseded his doubts.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched the little boy imagine alongside me. Ten years ago, he seemed an impossibility to us. Years of infertility gripped our first years of marriage. We walked through a long season of trying to manipulate the outcome by artificial means, only to be disappointed time and again. It wasn’t until we relinquished our control—our plans for God’s—that we were granted our star’s witness. A son named Jadon, meaning “God has heard.”
Faith conceives a galaxy.
Faith doesn’t stop short of the Milky Way. Instead, faith rides its spiral arms all the way through to completion, naming its inhabitants as it goes and claiming each one as family … as faithfulness. Faith lives in the witness of twinkling lights, the illumination of which is timeless and the vibrancy of which is eternally potent. When faith anchors its hope there—up above and within reach of heaven—then faith finds room enough to conceive the “impossible.” Faith believes beyond the impractical and the seemingly unattainable to take hold of God’s promise which always stems from the immeasurably more of his goodness.
Abraham and Sarah’s “impossible” was couched in the barrenness of a womb. To conceive there was to complete God’s promise. Their faith granted them sacred fruition—a “believing is seeing” kind of finish. For us, our impossibilities are couched in a great many things, a great many wants, and a great many doubts. We want to take God at his word regarding our conception of scripturally spoken promises, but our barren estate forbids our believing God for anything further than the emptiness we now harbor. Why? Because the emptiness seems too vast, too lonely, too uncertain. Instead of trust we choose manipulation. Instead of faith, we formulate a back-up plan just in case our God doesn’t come through.
When wombs remain empty, faith lingers at the edge of dismissal. No wonder so many of us are stagnated in our spiritual progress. We equate faith with fullness, when in truth faith most readily grows and is active in our barrenness. When we can’t grasp this, then faith no longer serves as our guiding light but rather burdens us with its requirement. Instead of looking up at a night’s sky to receive faith’s everlasting witness, we stay grounded in our temporal visioning, limiting our belief to that which the eye can see and the mind can control. We trade our “one in a thousand nights” in for countless nights mired in routine and rote participation.
I don’t know about you, but I need my “one in thousand nights” every now and again. In fact, a nightly detour to a porch and to the wild imaginings of a nine-year-old boy serve me particularly well in those seasons when my faith feels empty and dissolved by the worldly constraints pressing the issue of my belief. When those moments arrive for me… arrive for you, instead of receiving and feeling the uncertainty of them all, let us, like Abraham, receive the certainty of a night’s walk with the King.
There is a galaxy up above that never grows dim and that continues to shine as an everlasting witness of God’s promise to his children.
Faith conceives a galaxy. Back then. Last night. Right now. Thus, I pray…
Keep me to a night’s pause, Father, beneath your stars and with the whispers of Abraham’s “long ago and far away” as my serenade. You were there when Abraham took in the witness of their vastness; you are here when I do the same. Forgive me when my focus remains earthbound and frozen in a time frame that reaps temporal results instead of the eternal promises that you have spoken on my behalf. Shower me with “one in a thousand nights” as I am faithful to entreat their grandeur—their testimony regarding the truth of your thoughts and love toward me. Never once have you wavered in your promises, God. Keep me faithful to that end until my end lands me home and finishes me fully. Amen.
A further pause…
~ What barrenness have you known in recent days? How has that emptiness challenged your faith?
~ Consider the phrase “When wombs remain empty, faith lingers at the edge of dismissal.” Do you agree and, if so, how has this been true in your own walkabout of faith?
~ Describe your last “one in a thousand nights.” What about that connection with your Creator left a lasting impression within your soul?
~ Take time to read about Abraham’s “one in a thousand nights” moment as recorded in Genesis 15. Give close attention to all of the words spoken by God (see verses 1, 4-5, 7, 9, 13-16, 18-19). Which “certainty” voiced by God do you most need the witness of in this season of living?
~ The same God who visited Abraham in a night’s pause is the same God who visits us in ours. Take time to be with him this evening beneath the witness of his night sky.
Copyright © December 2009 – Elaine Olsen
"Faith believes beyond the impractical and the seemingly unattainable to take hold of God’s promise which always stems from the immeasurably more of his goodness."
"We equate faith with fullness, when in truth faith most readily grows and is active in our barrenness. When we can’t grasp this, then faith no longer serves as our guiding light but rather burdens us with its requirement."
Truth my friend. Keep sharing truth in faithfulness…it stirs my heart and mind calling me to a deeper, closer walk.
Pondering your questions,
Joy
Thank you! I needed this today.
Beautiful thoughts!
What a wonderful teaching moment for you and your son. And what a beautiful word picture–faith conceives a galaxy.
I'm experiencing a galaxy of faith in my own son's life, and I'm so thankful that the Lord is truly bringing a galaxy of hope and faith in his life.
I'll be looking forward to the book; praying that the Lord will lead you in the words to say, as you complete it.
Oh my. Where to begin?
Your ponderings grow deeper and richer with each passing season. Methinks that is born of 2009's challenges, and how you've mined them.
I consider His lasting impressions on me. They are etched deeply into my soul, my mind. Some have visited via vastly starlit skies; others have come on night's silence; others still have arrived at the sound of the wind. His word grips me, and there are days I can almost feel His hand as it does so.
Beautiful thoughts, Elaine. Well done!
Hugs,
Kathleen
"When wombs remain empty, faith lingers at the edge of dismissal." Having walked this path literally, I feel the depth of these words. There is little else that empties one as the barren womb. And yet, the pregnant promise of faith will carry within innumberable graces yet to be borne.
This Christmas season has been one of barrenness, at first glance, for my husband and me. And yet, when pondered with the light of faith, this season has been full of blessings and grace.
I will continue to pray for your process, pace and pen. Selfishly, I want to hold the culmination of your effort within my hands!
Shalom,
Denise
wifeforthejourney:
Thank you for being willing to share this excerpt from your latest manuscript. I love the way you weave the everyday into the profound – it is an uncommon gift.
Blessings for your continued work!
Love,
Billy
Beautiful! Just Beautiful!
Oh wow!
Love the thought of the stars we gaze at being the very same ones that others who have gone before us gazed upon as well.
Blessings, Elaine, as you continue work on the book. By the way, love the application questions you include at the end of the reflections.
beautiful words for my heart to ponder. I will pray for you as you continue to share your heart through beautiful words.
blessings
Tammy
So many things come to mind after reading this post. I am still awaiting 3 specific promises that God has made to me. He started them out from the story of Abraham. I often ask God, "Did Abraham have doubts like I sometimes do – or did your daily presence and reminders come to him like they do to me?" God is very SPECIFIC when He makes a promise. He is a covenant making God and therefore a covenant KEEPING God! He brings us to the place of IMPOSSIBLE – not to harm us or to cause us more doubt – but all so that HE will recieve the GLORY due Him when HE fulfills those very promises! Your post could not have come at a more crucial time. It is one more sign from the Lord – that I must continue to TRUST HIM for ALL He has promised – in HIS time and for His purpose!
With Great JOY, Stephanie
Elaine, you said: "Faith believes beyond the impractical and the seemingly unattainable to take hold of God’s promise which always stems from the immeasurably more of his goodness."
I take hold of God's promises and glean from His goodness. AMEN!
Oh how true….we do often equate faith with fullness. I believe that God works most beautifully and magnificently in the barrenness of our lives. It is in that place that we are most dependant upon Him. It is in that place that He can truly show off and be our El Shaddai!
Leah
Wow! Can't wait to read more…this is wonderfully worded…
Having tried "back-up" plans on many occasions…and failed…this statement really touched my heart…
" When faith anchors its hope there—up above and within reach of heaven—then faith finds room enough to conceive the “impossible.”
May I proclaim…AMEN!!
We equate faith with fullness, when in truth faith most readily grows and is active in our barrenness.
This especially hit me. Such profound truth here, and throughout the rest of this wonderful piece.
Keeping you in my prayers, as always.
Love,
Joanne
There is a galaxy up above that never grows dim and that continues to shine as an everlasting witness of God’s promise to his children.
Faith conceives a galaxy.
Wow! I love these words Elaine. Your writing is precious. It has been a while since my last visit. Hope to enjoy more of your writing this year,
Blessings,
Pat
Shell shocked. God brought me here. I will be thinking on this for a while, even under the stars (not tonight though! I'm cold out from under these covers!). Time for me to dust some things off.
I particularly liked what Joyful mentioned, in addition to this:
"Instead of trust we choose manipulation. Instead of faith, we formulate a back-up plan just in case our God doesn’t come through."
Oh so true!
Bless you!
Maria
Whoa, Elaine, this is beautiful! I will never look at the stars in the same way again. They do speak of multiplication, just as the grains of sand. God's promises are yes and amen!
Hey Mrs. Elaine:) Happy New Year to you! I find this post interesting because you are focusing on faith. Faith has been a theme lately that God has been teaching me through others and scripture…I think that Jadon is such a miracle!:)
Blessings, ((HUGS)), love in HIM,
katiegfromtennessee
Beautiful, beautiful truth my friend. Thank you for sharing this excerpt with us…what a privileged, anointed reading.
I have to agree with your husband's comment…your gifts for weaving the profound from the everyday is a rare (and truly precious) gift.
Thinking and pondering, praying for you and greatly anticipating this book…
Tracy
So much to think about already. I especially like the challenge of not equating faith with fullness…..
As God reminds me, I'll pray for your specific requests re. the book.
God bless your life, guide your pen, and speed your efforts.
Hi Elaine, I came over from So You Want to be Published. I was encouraged by your comment since I too am a busy mom of 4 hoping someday to be able to say "I'm a Writer"
Nice to meet you. Maybe we can share the journey through prayer and friendship. 🙂
Jessie
Elaine,
I can't wait to read your book!
Brokenness. Barren wombs and hearts.
But belief in a God who made the stars. Set them in place. Knows each one by name.
That same God knows our name. Heals our brokenness. Transforms our barren lives into fruit-bearing ones.
All by His word. Just like He told the man from long, long ago:
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." (Gen. 15:1b)
Thank you for encouraging me to consider the stars. And to reach for them in faith.
And most of all.
To hold my hands up.
The Star Maker reaches out to me.
Sweet dreams.
I've been given the opportunity to teach on Abraham for our upcoming Bible Study. Sometime in February. Just one time. I've turned on my eyes and ears because I know the Lord will be showing me more and more about Abraham.
And so, here it is… He is true to Himself. I knew He would and He has. Thank you for posting this, friend. Faith delivers.
Hi Elaine~ I pray that the Lord does give you time, a quick mind, ears, eyes, and pen to write what He gives you to complete this book. I know He will do this, and in His timing, He will use it in a mighty way.
Blessings to you in this new year!
Jennifer