You never know what might inspire you while eating a bowl of lentils. Today my bowl of soup seemingly called out to me, “Where is your courage, Jeanie?”  

Stay with me here.  The lentils may speak to you as well.

David (as in the young boy who slew the giant and became King of Israel and…even in his sin and repentance…was described as a man after God’s own heart) teaches me about courage “in the middle of lentils”.

2 Samuel  23 recounts some of the courageous acts of David’s “mighty men”. One of these men (named Shammah) showed great courage in the midst of lentils.

The Philistines were a powerful  and foreboding people who intimidated the Israeliites. The fierce and pompous Philistine army banded together in a field of lentils, producing fear and trepidation among the Israelites. As the Israelites ran away in fear, one lone Israelite, Shammah, stood in the middle of the lentil field. He was not afraid of the powerful Philistine army, and defended this field in the name of the Lord, who brought about a great victory that day. Yes, God used Shammah’s conviction and courage to bring about a great victory for God. The victory did not come through Shammah’s great strength. God’s unrivaled power, combined with Shammah’s conviction and courage, defeated the seemingly formidable Philistine army.

 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.
(2 Samuel 23:11-12) 

How deep are your convictions today?  What do you really believe about God and his message to us all? Do you let current viewpoints from our world, our politicians, world religious leaders, and celebrities mold your convictions and affect your courage–or are your beliefs about God and his word rock solid– filling you with courage?

God knows we will be tempted to conform to the pattern of the world and calls us to be transformed by the renewal of our thinking. Then, the beauty and perfection of God’s plan will speak for itself. And his plan is good, pleasing and perfect.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:2)  

Don’t be afraid to stand for God. Gain courage to speak boldly of the things God states. Let the Scriptures burn in your heart and flow from your lips. Teach your children to be “prepared to answer” and help them learn the basics of apologetics so they can be confident in the midst of a godless world and a sea of peer pressure.

Let Romans 1:16 fill you with courage whenever you stand in a field of lentils and everyone else cowers:   I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

I pray that you and I will be filled with the confidence God provides and never shrink back as we stand in our fields of lentils–our personal tests of courage..

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Hebrews 10:35-39 

Seven swimsuit-clad children (and their parents) were filled with great anticipation on this unofficial last day of summer. The weather was fully cooperating as the kids woke from their “cousin sleepover”. We had celebrated Caleb’s birthday the night before and the guys had spent about an hour making extensive and detailed plans for the following day at the beach–including rendezvous times and places for those in the boat, those in the kayaks, and those arriving by car.

Papa, Sam, Uncle Kevin, and Uncle Gus had left for the ocean at the crack of dawn (almost) to kayak and fish. The girls and children had arranged to meet them later at Cranes Beach, one of New England’s pristine beaches. We figured, given the Labor Day holiday and hot summer day, that we would arrive mid morning before the beach got too busy. At least that was the plan.

During the fifty minute car ride to the beach we all anticipated the sand, the water, the lunch and all the fun that lay ahead. That is, until we were about a half  mile from the parking lot and were met by a police officer facing a long line of cars. He informed us that the lot for the beach had been closed since early morning and there was no longer beach access. As we explained our situation, the officer added that it would be absolutely impossible for us to meet anyone who was already on the ocean in a boat, and we would need to turn back.

Carefully contrived Plan A was no longer an option. We had been so detailed with the whole thing but didn’t anticipate this obstacle. Disappointment began to hover over the three cars filled with  moms, Nana, and the children.

Fortunately, Uncle Kevin was reachable by phone and suggested Plan B. He advised us to go to a particular street and wait for the boat. Amazingly, this remote little boat launch lot had free parking places (compared to the pricey parking at our planned spot.) Kevin was able to reach Captain Papa, slip out of the kayak onto the boat and direct him to this new arrival spot where seven sweaty but eager children and their moms (perhaps also a little sweaty) waited.

We traveled (taking two trips) to a remote spot which was sparsely populated as it was not able to be reached by land. It was the perfect place to spend the day. We played in the sand, swam, ate and had such a fun family day together. The guys kayaked by our Plan A site, which was wall to wall (or grain of sand to grain of sand) with people. Plan B far surpassed our foiled Plan A.

Isn’t that the way life often happens?  We carefully make our plans, yet unforeseen circumstances thwart those plans and force us in a different direction. We have dreams, and they don’t get fulfilled the way we “dreamed” they would happen. When these obstacles happen we have a choice. We can become disappointed and disoriented, which is normal. We can then inquire of God for “new plans and dreams” and trust that the places he takes us (Plan B, C, D…or ?) are where we need to be. Or, we can choose to become angry and embittered that “our” plans and dreams are no longer possible.

I’m particularly inspired of late by my husband’s attitude. Having been an active and athletic man throughout his life, a recently developed neuropathy has affected his balance, making many things he was once able to do difficult if not impossible. While it’s not our plan, unless God decides to change this situation it brings us to many Plan B’s.Throughout our lives circumstantial and relational changes often bring about plan changes.

When confronted with a “lot full–turn back”message on our journey, trust is of utmost importance. God does not forget us, and in his plans for us always acts out of love–even when it does not feel that way. Ultimately, we can decide to trust God’s plans–or trust ourselves more while trying to force our wills. When we surrender to God’s plans, we can be confident that God’s plan is much better than our own, even if we can’t fully see it within our lifetime.

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD‘s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”  My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.  Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Psalm 31:14-16 (NIV)

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)