I was eleven the first time it happened. In my bed one night, I spent what seemed like hours praying, asking the Lord to lead my life and use me in a big way. I wanted to be the girl He wanted me to be. I wanted to live a life sold out to faith in Jesus. I remember saying to Him, “I’m going to just open my Bible, Lord. Whatever book I land in, I’m going to flip to the first chapter of that book and start reading.”
You see, I had never really read the Bible for myself up to that point. My mom and dad gave me an “Adventures in Odyssey” edition Bible for Christmas in 1994. I would take it to church every Sunday and read the colorful, faith-based comics, but I was somewhat intimidated by the words printed in black and red. That was adult stuff. Nothing for me, really…nothing I could really understand.
But that night, I flipped my Bible open, turned to the first chapter, and realized God used His Word to speak to me personally. The words were no longer ordinary, tasteless, adult fodder. They were alive, and they were speaking to my soul, filling me with hope and a promise for greater things in Him.
Then, my junior year in high school, I was having a rough start to my day. After a stream of poor choices, I decided to chase after God the way I had promised when I was eleven. I told my friends I couldn’t hang out with them anymore; I was going to be different. (Unfortunately, it didn’t stick, but that’s another story for another time.) Anyway, after a rude encounter with one of my former “friends,” I broke down. I asked my debate teacher if I could go to the restroom, closed the stall, cried, and prayed for help. I was trying to please God. Why did rejection have to sting so much? I gathered myself and returned to class. As I walked to my desk, I noticed someone had written a scripture on the chalkboard. (It was not there before I went to the restroom.) In large letters, it read, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ Jeremiah 29:11″ A Word in season. For me. From God. Wow.
Skip forward a few years–it’s February 2011. After a scary report from my dermatologist, I sought God’s counsel regarding my health. I genuinely felt the Lord put Deuteronomy 7 on my heart, so I read the chapter. God had given me specific instructions regarding my eating choices (BLD, Sugar Free). I believed that my unwillingness to obey in this area would lead to disastrous consequences. Deuteronomy 7 was my God-ordained warning sign; He was saying, “Take my Word seriously, and heed my instruction.” Days later, it was Super Bowl weekend. Despite my stern warning, I just “couldn’t” resist the sweet treats everyone was enjoying. I knew I would have to ask for forgiveness about it later but rebelled anyway. (Ugh. I’m not proud of myself.)
Monday morning rolled around and I spent it in desperate prayer while swimming in a pool of regret. I plopped open my Bible, and paused at the page. Deuteronomy 8, not 7. I thought, “Maybe I was supposed to keep reading the other day. I only read chapter 7.” Then, just as quickly, I thought, “Kaime, don’t try to use your Bible like a magic 8-ball.” I flipped to the New Testament page I was originally headed for and moved on, not giving it another thought.
Later that afternoon, I was driving home from school. A large, green Hummer passed me on the left, then got over in front of me. I glanced at the license plate. What did it say? With wide eyes and an open mouth I read, “DEUT 8.” Then, I laughed. Then I went home and read that chapter.
Friends, God is big. And He can do anything, including get His point across. When you fear that you’ll miss what God is trying to say to you, don’t. If your heart is set on listening for His voice, seeking His counsel, and looking for His ways, He will stop at nothing to respond. He’ll make sure your Bible flips to the right page, your chalkboard displays the right scripture, and your car gets passed by the right license plate. It’s how He rolls.
“…a word in season, how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23 NAS
