Get out of your Tent

There's something magical that happens at night. When the sun descends sleepily under the horizon and the sky turns a myriad of colors you didn't even know existed. When the light is dimmed and darkness eminent. When your focus is narrowed and all you could once see disappears. Light is a beautiful thing, but darkness also holds a special place in my heart.

It's during these silent nighttime instances that I have found precious moments with Jesus. As I circle around my home with children fast asleep in their snug little beds I find the beautiful tranquility I need to talk with God and to simply listen.

It was during one such moment this past week that I felt a nudge to walk towards my window and look up to the heavens. I often do this when I feel the need to look God in the face. I imagine Him up in the heavens watching me as I pray to Him. As soon as I looked out the window I heard Him speak to my heart.

"Get out of your tent Jamie," a still small voice whispered to my spirit.

When I heard it I was reminded of a story I had just read about God talking to Abram. The Bible says this, "He [God] took him [Abram] outside and said, "Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them ... Your offspring will be that numerous" (Genesis 15, CSV).

God continued to speak as I was silently standing before that picturesque star-filled window: "Jamie, the things that you keep asking Me for are good, but you're praying, circling around the same thing. It's time to get out of your tent and see the bigger picture. Your yes to Me is a small thing, but will be a big thing in the light of eternity. I am so much bigger than you give Me credit for, your issue is so much smaller than you think. Simply trust Me."

As I gazed up at the stars that night I was reminded of the gift God gives in the darkness. During daylight distractions bombard us at every angle, pulling our focus away from what is truly important. It was in the nighttime moments that God reaffirmed His promise for Abram.

He started by bringing him outside of his tent, his circumstances, his issues and into the darkness, where the beauty of God's creation was all he could see. It was some God-controlled focus time.

Thousands upon thousands of stars blanketed the night sky. Everything he could have seen hours earlier, disappeared in the vastness of God's ultimate plan—starting with creation.

It was almost as if God was reminding Abram saying, "See what I can do." Abram's concerns mattered to God, but he needed assurance that nothing is too difficult for Him. God already had provision and a promise for that problem he was facing. Abram just needed reminding.

I pray that God does the same for us. That this month He allows us some God-controlled focus time. That our 2022 is characterized by "See what God can do Moments." That He never ceases to remind us of His greatness and His goodness. That, if need be, He takes us out of our tents, eliminates distractions and causes our eyes to focus on what truly matters in the scope of His plan and purpose for this world.

"It's time for the greatest adventure of our lives, friends. It starts with unwavering trust in a Guide that has every pathway leading to His purpose already mapped out. Simply trust Him."

Photo Credit: Andrew Neel