"Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, 'Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.'" Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, "Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.
So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."
My husband and I were in a conversation the other night and he asked about my lifes defining moments. I could easily say my wedding day and the birth of my children, but that is wrong (to me). Yes, those were without a doubt some of the most blessed and HAPPIEST moments of my life. I am my husbands wife - True. I am my childrens mother - True. But neither one of them define me.
I wonder if I didn't look back on them so often and remember from where God has brought me, if they would still define me? I think it is important in our relationship with Christ to set aside time to Celebrate who I once was and who He is creating me to be!
Now it's your turn. What are Your life's defining moments? Reflect back and comment or shoot me an email. Take a moment to Celebrate! From where you came and Whose you are! Let's set these "stones" up as a monument to our God!
What an encouraging and thought provoking blog post! I'm so glad I stumbled upon it =)
ReplyDeleteThere are some incredible moments that sprang to my mind immediately (they'll make no sense out of context, but I'll share them anyway ...)
The youth service 15 years ago when God opened my ears to His voice, and I began the most authentic and personal relationship I've ever known
The Sunday morning that I went to church with a friend and felt the presence of God after 5 painfully backslidden years - it was like taking my first breath all over again
The day that God singled me out in a crowd of thousands to give me His answer to the most painful heartbreak I'd ever experienced
Praise the LORD! He is so good to us
~ Paula
Oh Paula, What Beautiful Stones! Thank you for sharing. I don't have to have context :) It's your monument! How awesome!
ReplyDeleteOf course I could say, "Day of Marriage," or "Day our daughter came into our lives," but spiritually:
ReplyDeleteThe day I surrendered to Jesus.
The day I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
I'm sure there are so many more, but I don't want to take up all of your room here. :o)
Bless you!
Beth
One of my "stones" happened about 4 years ago. I went through an incredibly tough season, chronic illness decided to descend on my life in a dramatic way. I spent hours and hours in God's word. I was a Christian, but never before had I leaned on Christ that way.
ReplyDeleteOf course defining moments in my life are my wedding day and births of my children. But spiritually it was just about three years ago. I grew up in the church and considered myself a Christian from a very young age. But a few years ago I realized something was missing. God showed me that I was only living the life of a Sunday morning Christian. Mealtime and bedtime prayers and church twice a week were just not enough. Life has never been the same since...praise God.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I came to read your post. Here I write about one of my defining moments. http://cantelmofamily.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-see-every-sparrow-that-falls.html
ReplyDeleteMy defining moments:
ReplyDelete1. @24 yrs old, 2 babies and preggo with the third, with sever post pardem depression God showed me I there was no way I could save myself, and exposed what was REALY in my heart. Yuck! Being the "good little christian girl" wasn't enough anymore! Jesus was the only one to save me, not my striving.
2. Years later, after years of hormonal imbalance, thyroiditis, and a slew of other things I developed anxiety/panic attacks, in hospital with unexplained 103* fever, completely helpless, He said "If I never heal your health issues, will you still trust me?"... I was able to say "though He slay me, I will trust him yet"!
3.Dec. of last year, decided to fully lean on him to provide ALL my needs after repenting of not really trusting that He would. Since then He has shown me His provision down to specific details!! And even given me gifts! Living beautiful peace!
4. Learning how to hear Him when He speaks to me. Learning how to meet Him every day. Indescribable beauty.
5. In the last months being able to release my deteriorating marriage to Him, and now see the beauty of His powerful restoration!
There is no peace like trusting in Him who knows you the best and loves you the most!
SOLI DEO GLORIA!! (to God be the glory!)
Oh My Goodness Confident Artist! What a BEAUTIFUL Testimony! Wow! Thank you SO much for sharing and I am SO sorry to hear about your marriage.
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